Android Studio 3.1 "Run" not compiling code

Question

When I try to install an app, there are two possibilities:

1. Install existing APK from build folder when I run the app
2. Install APK after performing clean build

For existing APK in the build folder, the app just works fine. But when I clean the project using Build -> Clean Project, and then try to run the app (i.e. install the app to my emulator or physical device), it shows me error:

The APK file /Users/MyApplicationName/app/build/outputs/apk/app-debug.apk does not exist on disk.

NOTE: This behaviour happens only when I clean the project and not when I have already have a pre-built app APK in my build folder

I've referred to: The APK file does not exist on disk but my point is, when we usually run the app after cleaning the project, we never need to make a build of it, if the APK is not existing in the build folder, it automatically generates and installs the latest one.

Things I've tried:

1. Running the app when APK file exists in the build folder (works perfectly fine)
2. Running the Clean Project -> Running the app (expected is the project would be built and the app would get installed but it shows the above mentioned error!)
3. Same process of cleaning and running the app after doing Invalidate Caches/Restart

Answer 1

I have solution for your issue.

Also confirmed by Android Studio on Twitter : https://twitter.com/androidstudio/status/981914632892960768

1. Edit your app configuration as below.

2. Here you can see your app configuration as below.

3. Here is missing Gradle-aware make attribute in before launch configuration. You can see here.

4. Please add this Gradle-aware Make attribute through this way. Click on + icon and select Gradle-aware Make as seen in this screen.

5. You can add this without writing any task just press OK button and task will be added and now it should look like this. Now apply changes and run your application.

It will solve this old apk installing issue on clean build in new Android Studio 3.1 issue.

Note : This issue is resolved in new Android Studio 3.1.1 Stable release.