How to just install app without building everytime

Question

I want to install a developing app to some emulators and devices for testing.

Just press run, android studio will make, build and then install. It seems useless to make and build everytime if I don't modify code. And building will cost much time.

So, how to just install app without building everytime.

Answer 1

It is possible to just install the apk:

adb install -r PATH/TO/PROJECT/build/apk/PROJECT-(release|debug).apk

Answer 2

If you are using Android Studio, open the Terminal window.

Then:

adb install -r app/build/outputs/apk/app-debug.apk

This is a slightly different path than shown in the accepted answer, which may be due to updates in Android Studio's build path. In an example project where a normal build/run takes 30-60 seconds, this took about 1 second in comparison. If the app was already running, it will exit and can be run from its icon in the device OS.