Using Gradle to split external libraries in separated dex files to solve Android Dalvik 64k methods limit

Question

Is there a proper/easy way to solve the 64k methods limit using Gradle?

I mean some custom Gradle task to use pre-dexed jars to create separated dex files, instead of a single classes.dex.

Thank you

Ivan

Current status

Currently, I'm struggling with GMS: it brings in 20k methods to use Analytics. I use Proguard to strip down what's not need, but still... 72k methods and counting...

I can split classes.dex in two file using dx parameter --multi-dex. I achieved it manually editing

sdk/build-tools/android-4.4W/dx

and editing last line like this:

exec java $javaOpts -jar "$jarpath" --multi-dex "$@"

My APK file now contains __classes.dex__ and __classes2.dex__.

I'm trying to dynamically load the second file with a few methods:

• Dexdex link
• Dexter link
• Secondary dex gradle link

Unfortunately still no luck. I really hope some Google/Facebook/Square guru can provide a proper solution.

Answer 1

Update for Android Gradle plugin 2.2.0: It is not possible to access the dex task anymore, but in exchange additionalParameters was introduced as part of dexOptions. Use it like

android {   dexOptions {     additionalParameters += '--minimal-main-dex'     // additionalParameters += '--main-dex-list=$projectDir/<filename>'.toString()     // additionalParameters += '--set-max-idx-number=55000'   } } 

Update for Android Gradle plugin 0.14.0: There is now direct multi-dex support via the new multiDexEnabled true directive (requires build-tools 21.1.0, support repository revision 8, and Android Studio 0.9).

Original answer: Ever since Gradle Android plugin 0.9.0 you actually can pass the --multi-dex to dx by adding this to you app's build.gradle file:

afterEvaluate {     tasks.matching {         it.name.startsWith('dex')     }.each { dx ->         if (dx.additionalParameters == null) {             dx.additionalParameters = ['--multi-dex']         } else {             dx.additionalParameters += '--multi-dex'         }          // Add more additional parameters like this:         dx.additionalParameters += '--main-dex-list=class-list.txt'         dx.additionalParameters += '--minimal-main-dex'     } } 

So far for the creating he multiple dex files. To actually use the multiple dex files, take a look at https://github.com/casidiablo/multidex (which is a fork of Google's upcoming MultiDex support library).

Answer 2

In case gms was your issue and you are using gradle

Starting from gms version 6.5 you can choose individual API libraries

for example to include only the Maps API :

compile 'com.google.android.gms:play-services-maps:6.5.87'

and here is the complete list :

      com.google.android.gms:play-services-base:6.5.87
      com.google.android.gms:play-services-ads:6.5.87
      com.google.android.gms:play-services-appindexing:6.5.87
      com.google.android.gms:play-services-maps:6.5.87
      com.google.android.gms:play-services-location:6.5.87
      com.google.android.gms:play-services-fitness:6.5.87
      com.google.android.gms:play-services-panorama:6.5.87
      com.google.android.gms:play-services-drive:6.5.87
      com.google.android.gms:play-services-games:6.5.87
      com.google.android.gms:play-services-wallet:6.5.87
      com.google.android.gms:play-services-identity:6.5.87
      com.google.android.gms:play-services-cast:6.5.87
      com.google.android.gms:play-services-plus:6.5.87
      com.google.android.gms:play-services-appstate:6.5.87
      com.google.android.gms:play-services-wearable:6.5.87
      com.google.android.gms:play-services-all-wear:6.5.87

Answer 3

An example project partitioning and loading different dex files can be found here:

https://code.google.com/p/android-custom-class-loading-sample/

EDIT: For Gradle you already have an answer

Custom Class Loading in Dalvik with Gradle (Android New Build System)