> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://dhiwisepvtltd-5e04e6a4.mintlify.site/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Android APK > Generate and download a signed Android APK from your Rocket.new Flutter project, then sideload and test on any device running Android 8.0 or later. Rocket builds your mobile app into an APK (An Android Package file that you can install directly on Android devices without going through the Play Store.) you can install on any Android device. Use this to get a full native testing experience before you [publish to Google Play](https://dhiwisepvtltd-5e04e6a4.mintlify.site/build/launch-mobile/google-play.md). You need an Android device running version 8.0 or higher. > [!NOTE] > > Downloading an APK requires a paid plan (Pro or above). > [!TIP] > > Not ready to build a native package? [Share your app as a web preview](https://dhiwisepvtltd-5e04e6a4.mintlify.site/build/launch-mobile/share-as-web-preview.md) for instant testing in any browser without a build step. ## Build and download **Web Browser** **1. Click Launch** From your task, click the **Launch** button in the top-right corner. A popup appears with the **Rocket hosted** tab selected by default. ![Launch popup open showing Rocket hosted tab selected by default.](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dhiwisepvtltd-5e04e6a4/images/build/launch-mobile/android-apk/web-browser/launch-popup-light.webp) ![Launch popup open showing Rocket hosted tab selected by default.](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dhiwisepvtltd-5e04e6a4/images/build/launch-mobile/android-apk/web-browser/launch-popup-dark.webp) Launch popup with Rocket hosted and APK tabs **2. Select the APK tab and click Build** Click the **APK** tab, then click **Build** to start generating your APK. ![APK tab selected in the Launch popup showing the Build button.](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dhiwisepvtltd-5e04e6a4/images/build/launch-mobile/android-apk/web-browser/apk-tab-light.webp) ![APK tab selected in the Launch popup showing the Build button.](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dhiwisepvtltd-5e04e6a4/images/build/launch-mobile/android-apk/web-browser/apk-tab-dark.webp) APK tab with Build button **3. Wait for the build to finish** A progress bar shows the build status. If it takes more than a minute, Rocket emails you a download link when it is ready. ![APK tab showing Building APK progress bar at 95%.](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dhiwisepvtltd-5e04e6a4/images/build/launch-mobile/android-apk/web-browser/apk-building-light.webp) ![APK tab showing Building APK progress bar at 95%.](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dhiwisepvtltd-5e04e6a4/images/build/launch-mobile/android-apk/web-browser/apk-building-dark.webp) APK build in progress **4. Download the APK** When the build finishes, click **Download** to save the `.apk` file to your computer. Click **Build new APK** to rebuild with your latest changes. ![APK tab showing Download and Build new APK buttons after a successful build.](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dhiwisepvtltd-5e04e6a4/images/build/launch-mobile/android-apk/web-browser/apk-download-light.webp) ![APK tab showing Download and Build new APK buttons after a successful build.](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dhiwisepvtltd-5e04e6a4/images/build/launch-mobile/android-apk/web-browser/apk-download-dark.webp) Download and Build new APK buttons **Mobile App** **1. Open the More menu** From your project screen, tap **More** in the header bar. ![More button in header bar on mobile.](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dhiwisepvtltd-5e04e6a4/images/build/launch-mobile/share-as-web-preview/mobile-app/more-tab-at-rocket-app.webp) More button in header bar **2. Tap Launch on Android phone** Tap **Launch on Android phone** from the menu. ![Dropdown menu showing Launch on Android phone option highlighted on mobile.](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dhiwisepvtltd-5e04e6a4/images/build/launch-mobile/android-apk/mobile-app/launch-android-phone-option-in-rocket-app.webp) Launch on Android phone option **3. Tap Build APK** Tap **Build APK** to start the build. ![Launch on Android phone modal showing Build APK button on mobile.](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dhiwisepvtltd-5e04e6a4/images/build/launch-mobile/android-apk/mobile-app/build-apk-modal-in-rocket-app.webp) Build APK button **4. Wait for the build to finish** A progress indicator shows the build status. If it takes more than a minute, Rocket emails you a download link when it is ready. ![Progress indicator during Android app build showing Building status on mobile.](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dhiwisepvtltd-5e04e6a4/images/build/launch-mobile/android-apk/mobile-app/apk-build-progress-mobile-in-rocket-app.webp) APK build in progress **5. Download the APK** When the build finishes, tap **Download** to save the `.apk` file to your device. Tap **Build new APK** to rebuild with your latest changes. > [!WARNING] > > If a build fails, fix any code errors in your editor, make sure you have a stable internet connection, and click **Rebuild**. Common causes are dependency mismatches, invalid configurations, or unsupported packages. If it fails three times in a row, contact \[[support@rocket.new](mailto:support@rocket.new)]\(mailto:[support@rocket.new](mailto:support@rocket.new)). ## Install on your Android device **1. Find the APK on your device** If you downloaded it from a browser, check the **Downloads** folder. If you downloaded it on your computer, transfer it to your device via USB or cloud storage. **2. Tap the APK file** Open your device's **Files** or **Downloads** app and tap the APK file. A system prompt appears asking if you want to install the app. ![System prompt triggered after tapping the APK file to start installation.](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dhiwisepvtltd-5e04e6a4/images/build/launch-mobile/android-apk/settings-unknown-source.webp) System install prompt after tapping the APK **3. Allow installs from this source** If this is your first time installing an APK from this source, Android will block the install and show a warning. 1. Tap **Settings** in the popup. 2. Toggle on **Allow from this source**. 3. Tap the back arrow to return to the install screen. ![Android settings screen showing Allow from this source toggle enabled.](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dhiwisepvtltd-5e04e6a4/images/build/launch-mobile/android-apk/install-unknown-source-apk.webp) Enable Allow from this source > [!NOTE] > > You only need to do this once per app you use to open the APK (such as Chrome or Gmail). **4. Install the app** Tap **Install** and wait a few seconds. Once done, tap **Open** to launch it or find it in your app drawer. > [!WARNING] > > After installing, consider turning off **Allow from this source** to protect your device. Go to **Settings > Apps > Special app access > Install unknown apps**, select the app you used, then disable the permission. ## What's next? > **[Publish to Google Play](https://dhiwisepvtltd-5e04e6a4.mintlify.site/build/launch-mobile/google-play.md)** > > Submit your tested app to the Google Play Store for public distribution. > **[Compare distribution options](https://dhiwisepvtltd-5e04e6a4.mintlify.site/build/launch-mobile/sharing-vs-stores.md)** > > Decide between web links, APK builds, and app store submissions. This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.