Unable to switch to debug build variant in Android Studio

Question

I've switched to release build variant and configured signingConfigs. Now when I try to check the debug build variant from the drop down menu it switches immediately back to the release build variant. So I'm not able to run my app in debug mode any more.

apply plugin: 'com.android.application' apply plugin: 'kotlin-android' apply plugin: 'kotlin-android-extensions' apply plugin: 'kotlin-kapt' apply plugin: 'realm-android'  android {     signingConfigs {         config {             ...         }     }      compileSdkVersion rootProject.compileSdkVersion     buildToolsVersion rootProject.buildToolsVersion      defaultConfig {         applicationId "com.kost.foo"         minSdkVersion rootProject.minSdkVersion         targetSdkVersion rootProject.targetSdkVersion         versionCode 2         versionName "1.1"         testInstrumentationRunner "android.support.test.runner.AndroidJUnitRunner"         ndk {             abiFilters 'armeabi-v7a', 'arm64-v8a', 'x86', 'x86_64'         }         externalNativeBuild {             cmake {                ...             }         }     }      buildTypes {         release {             minifyEnabled false             proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'             debuggable true             signingConfig signingConfigs.config         }     }      sourceSets {         main.java.srcDirs += 'src/main/kotlin'         main {             jniLibs.srcDirs = ['src/main/jni']         }     }      externalNativeBuild {         cmake {             path 'src/main/jni/CMakeLists.txt'         }     } }  kapt {     generateStubs = true }  repositories {     maven { url 'https://github.com/linchaolong/stetho-realm/raw/master/maven-repo' }     mavenCentral()  } 

I've tried to revert all changes in build.gradle as it was before configuring, but with no luck.

Any ideas how to fix the issue?

Answer 1

I had a similar problem where most of the Build menu items were greyed out.

'Sync project with Gradle files' didn't fix.

I noticed a 'Build Variants' toggle button on the bottom left of Android Studio (v 3.1.2) and with this was finally able to choose the variant I needed.

Maybe this will work for you too.

Answer 2

Maybe you have got your solution to this, just in case, i provide my solution here.

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For Android Studio 2.x

It may because that you compile your dependent project using:

compile project('module_a') 

Above setting will force your project to compile the release version of your modules. Just change it to below:

releaseCompile project(path: ':module_a', configuration: 'release') debugCompile project(path: ':module_a', configuration: 'debug') 

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For Android Studio 3.x

You don't need to explicitly specify the build variant for a "module project". Just using

implementation project(':library')  

will automatically help select the correct build variant.

Here is a detailed explanation: https://developer.android.com/studio/build/?utm_source=android-studio#variant_aware

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For Android Studio 3.x Upgraded from 2.x

Delete the .idea folder under your project root directory and restart your Android Studio.

Below is the GUI screenshot:

Hope it helps!