Android Export

This guide explains how to export your Despia application as a complete Android Studio project, giving you full access to the native code.

Overview

Despia's Android Studio Export feature allows you to download your entire Android project, including all source files and dependencies. This enables advanced developers to:

Make low-level modifications to the native code
Integrate additional third-party libraries
Configure custom build settings
Deploy directly through Android Studio

Note: This approach is recommended for experienced Android developers who are comfortable working with Android Studio and native code. If you're not familiar with Android development, we recommend using the Auto Publish option instead.

Export Process

Access the Export Option

Log in to your Despia dashboard
Open your project
Click on the Export Project button in the top navigation bar

Select Android Project

In the export modal that appears:

Click on the Android Project option
You'll see a preview of some of the native code that will be included in your export
Review the folder structure displayed in the preview panel

Export Source Code

Click the Export Source Code + Dependencies button at the bottom of the modal
Your browser will download a ZIP file containing your complete Android Studio project
The download may take a few moments depending on your project size and connection speed

Working with the Exported Project

Opening in Android Studio

Extract the downloaded ZIP file to a location on your computer
Open Android Studio
Select Open an Existing Project
Navigate to the extracted folder and select it
Wait for Android Studio to complete the Gradle sync process

Working with the Project

The exported project follows standard Android project architecture and contains all the necessary components to build and deploy your application. Once opened in Android Studio, you'll have access to the complete source code, resources, and configuration files that make up your app.

Android Studio will automatically organize the project into its standard view, making it easy to navigate through the different sections of your application.

Making Modifications

When modifying the exported project:

Make your desired changes to the code or configuration
Test thoroughly on multiple device configurations
Build and sign your APK/AAB using Android Studio's built-in tools
Submit to the Google Play Store following the standard submission process

Important Notes:

Once you export and modify the project outside of Despia, those changes won't automatically sync back to your Despia project
Consider using version control (like Git) to track your changes
The exported project contains all the necessary dependencies and configurations to build a complete Android application

Publishing Your Modified App

After making your modifications:

In Android Studio, select Build > Generate Signed Bundle/APK
Choose whether to create an APK or Android App Bundle (AAB is recommended for Play Store)
Configure your signing key (use the key store exported from Despia if available)
Complete the build process
Upload the generated AAB/APK to the Google Play Console

Getting Help

If you encounter any issues with the exported project:

Check that you have the latest version of Android Studio installed
Ensure all dependencies are properly synced in the Gradle files
Verify that you have the necessary SDKs installed

For additional assistance:

Contact us at support@despia.com
Use the chat support in your Despia dashboard

We're happy to help with any questions about the export process, though extensive custom development assistance may be outside our support scope.

Remember that this option is primarily for advanced developers who need direct access to the native code. For a simpler publishing experience, consider using our Auto Publish feature instead.