flutter build apk --split-per-abi: what is the difference between app-armeabi-v7a-release.apk and app.apk

Question

When I run flutter build apk --split-per-abi I get 4 files in the directory flutter-apk:

1. app-arm64-v8a-release.apk,
2. app-armeabi-v7a-release.apk,
3. app-x86_64.apk,
4. app.apk.

I already know that the first three apks are due to different cpu-architectures/ instructionsets. On my android-phone I am able to install app-armeabi-v7a-release.apk and app.apk. So are they the same? Where is the difference?

Answer 1

I think you first run flutter build apk that generates the apk app.apk, this apk will run almost to all architectures (decides by itself). Then you again run the command flutter build apk --split-per-abi. which means you get the two command results both. Just try to delete all apk output files and re-run the command flutter build apk --split-per-abi, I hope you will get only three files.