App won't run when apk is shared with friend

Question

My Android app is working fine on the emulator, and even on the device when I connect it using a USB cable. However, when I generate the apk file and share it with others, the app won't work. It crashes after the splash screen is launched.

Here is my app/build.gradle:

apply plugin: 'com.android.application'
android {
    compileSdkVersion 25
    buildToolsVersion '25.0.0'
    useLibrary 'org.apache.http.legacy'

    defaultConfig {
        applicationId 'com.test'
        minSdkVersion 15
        targetSdkVersion 22
        versionCode 2
        versionName "1.1"

        multiDexEnabled true

        def serverPropertiesFile = rootProject.file("server.properties")

        // Initialize a new Properties() object called keystoreProperties.
        def serverProperties = new Properties()

        // Load your keystore.properties file into the serverProperties object.
        serverProperties.load(new FileInputStream(serverPropertiesFile))


        buildConfigField("String", "HOST", serverProperties['SERVER_URL'])
    }
    buildTypes {
        release {
            minifyEnabled true
            proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
        }
        debug {
            debuggable true
        }
    }
    productFlavors {
    }
    lintOptions {
        abortOnError false
} } dependencies {
    compile fileTree(include: ['*.jar'], dir: 'libs')
    compile 'com.github.bumptech.glide:glide:3.7.0'
    compile 'com.android.support:appcompat-v7:25.3.1'
    compile 'com.nineoldandroids:library:2.4.0'
    compile 'com.daimajia.swipelayout:library:1.2.0@aar'
    compile 'com.daimajia.androidanimations:library:1.1.2@aar'
    compile 'com.google.android.gms:play-services-maps:10.0.1'
    compile 'com.google.android.gms:play-services-gcm:10.0.1'
    compile 'com.mcxiaoke.volley:library:1.0.19'
    compile 'com.google.code.gson:gson:2.8.2'
    compile 'com.android.support:recyclerview-v7:25.3.1'
    compile 'com.android.support.constraint:constraint-layout:1.0.2'
    testCompile 'junit:junit:4.12'
}

Manifest.xml:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CALL_PHONE"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CAMERA"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"/>
<!--
     The ACCESS_COARSE/FINE_LOCATION permissions are not required to use
     Google Maps Android API v2, but you must specify either coarse or fine
     location permissions for the 'MyLocation' functionality. 
-->
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION"/>

Any help?

May be permission issues. Above marshmallow, you have to request some permissions at runtime. Which os your friend's phone running? — Aswin P Ashok, Nov 18 '17 at 06:26
check manifest file for the permissions that your app require. What os your friend's phone running? Post your manifest file — Aswin P Ashok, Nov 18 '17 at 06:29
Most of your permissions are classified as dangerous permissions. So before doing any actions that involve those permissions you have to request for permissions.Have you done that in your code? (My English suck) — Aswin P Ashok, Nov 18 '17 at 06:35
Here is the link for the [list of dangerous permissions](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/permissions/requesting.html#normal-dangerous) and here is how you can [request permissions at runtime](https://developer.android.com/training/permissions/requesting.html). Without runtime permission request your app will work fine below marshmallow devices, but will crash on or above marshmallow. — Aswin P Ashok, Nov 18 '17 at 06:42
@Jacky check my answer there is explaination and helpfull links — Tomin B Azhakathu, Nov 18 '17 at 06:42

Tomin B Azhakathu · Accepted Answer · 2017-11-18T06:41:29.630

2

I think you are lacking Runtime Permissions on API 23 or Above

Try giving Runtime permissions for Camera, Location and Phone. Here are examples of adding runtime permission.

https://developer.android.com/training/permissions/requesting.html

How to check Grants Permissions at Run-Time?

https://www.androidhive.info/2016/11/android-working-marshmallow-m-runtime-permissions/

To check if lacking runtime permission is the problem Go to Phone Settings -> Apps -> Installed App -> Your App -> Permissions -> Allow Permissions there

edited Nov 18 '17 at 06:41

answered Nov 18 '17 at 06:34

Tomin B Azhakathu

2,656
1
19
28

@Jacky Try adding runtime permission. To check if it is the problem Go to Phone setting -> Apps -> Installed App -> Your App -> Permisisons -> Alow Permissions there – Tomin B Azhakathu Nov 18 '17 at 06:40
Permissions are allowed there. – Jacky Nov 18 '17 at 06:42
If permissions are granted try opening app again – Tomin B Azhakathu Nov 18 '17 at 06:43
Deployment target is API 24. Is this making headache for me? – Jacky Nov 18 '17 at 06:45
@Jacky possibly not. The app won't be installed on a phone which has a higher API than 24. Try connecting the Phone to Android studio and have log. – Tomin B Azhakathu Nov 18 '17 at 06:48
@Jacky Are you generating a Signed APK – Tomin B Azhakathu Nov 18 '17 at 06:52
Let us [continue this discussion in chat](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/rooms/159276/discussion-between-tomin-b-and-jacky). – Tomin B Azhakathu Nov 18 '17 at 06:59

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 18 '17 at 06:42

2

I think you need to add some classes to your pro-guard file. Gson for example won't handle obfuscated very well. To see if this actually causes the problem, remove minifyEnabled true.

answered Nov 18 '17 at 06:42

Robin Dijkhof

18,665
11
65
116

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Nov 18 '17 at 06:27

0

Go to build and then click on generate/build apk. The apks generated by clicking on run are for devices with same API level.

answered Nov 18 '17 at 06:27

kunwar97

775
6
14

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Nov 18 '17 at 06:29

0

I think you have the problem in APK version. check your mobile APK version and your targeted APK version. your App will not run Lower then APK version 25 as you built with 25.0.0

answered Nov 18 '17 at 06:29

Md . Sojib Ahmed

431
4
14

1

In case it is the problem app won't be Installed. So it is not the problem. – Tomin B Azhakathu Nov 18 '17 at 06:38

App won't run when apk is shared with friend

4 Answers4