app-release-unsigned.apk is not signed

Question

If anyone wants to debug release build using Android Studio, follow these steps:

1. Set build variant to release mode.

2. Right click on app in left navigation pane, click Open Module Settings.

3. Go to Signing Tab. Add a signing config and fill in information. Select your keychain as well.

4. Go to Build Type tab. Select release mode and set:

-Debuggable to true.

-Signing Config to the config. (The one you just created).

Sync your gradle. Enjoy!

Make sure the build variant is set to debug (and not release) in Android Studio (check the build variants panel).

If set to debug, it should automatically sign the app with the auto-generated debug keystore, without editing the build scripts.

However you will need to create and configure a specific keystore for release.

Official documentation, covering debug and release modes: https://developer.android.com/tools/publishing/app-signing.html

Always sign your build using your build.gradle DSL script like this:

    android {
    signingConfigs {
        debug {
            storeFile file("debug.keystore")
        }

        myConfig {
            storeFile file("other.keystore")
            storePassword "android"
            keyAlias "androidotherkey"
            keyPassword "android"
        }
    }

    buildTypes {
        bar {
            debuggable true
            jniDebugBuild true
            signingConfig signingConfigs.debug
        }
        foo {
            debuggable false
            jniDebugBuild false
            signingConfig signingConfigs.myConfig
        }
    }
}

If you want to understand a little more of the Gradle build system associated to Android Studio just pay a visit to:

Gradle Plugin User Guide

If anyone wants to debug and release separate build variant using Android Studio 3.5, follow the below steps: 1. Set build variant to release mode.

2. Go to File >> Project Structure
3. Select Modules, then Signing Config
4. Click in the Plus icon under Signing Config

5. Select release section and Provide your release App Information then Apply and OK.

6. Go to your app level build.gradle and change your buildTypes > "release" section like below Screenshot.

Then Run your Project. Happy Coding.