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Overview

Tareas uses Capacitor to package the web application as a native Android app. This guide covers the complete Android deployment process.

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Prerequisites

Required Software:
  • Node.js 18+ and npm 9+
  • Java Development Kit (JDK) 21 - Required for Android builds
  • Android Studio - Latest stable version
  • Android SDK with at least API level 24 (Android 7.0)

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Install Android Studio

  1. Download Android Studio from developer.android.com/studio
  2. Install Android Studio and follow the setup wizard
  3. Install the Android SDK and build tools
  4. Configure the ANDROID_HOME environment variable:
# Add to ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc
export ANDROID_HOME=$HOME/Android/Sdk
export PATH=$PATH:$ANDROID_HOME/emulator
export PATH=$PATH:$ANDROID_HOME/tools
export PATH=$PATH:$ANDROID_HOME/tools/bin
export PATH=$PATH:$ANDROID_HOME/platform-tools

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Verify Java Installation

Tareas requires Java 21 as specified in the project README.
java -version
# Should show: openjdk version "21.x.x"

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Initial Capacitor Setup

1

Install dependencies

Make sure all npm packages are installed:
npm install
2

Add Android platform

Add the Android platform to your Capacitor project:
npx cap add android
This creates an android/ directory with the native Android project.
3

Sync project files

Synchronize your web build with the native Android project:
npx cap sync
Then sync Android-specific files:
npx cap sync android

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Building for Android

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Development Build

For testing during development:
1

Build the web app

First, create a production build of the web application:
npm run build --configuration production
2

Sync with Android

Copy the web assets to the Android project:
npx cap sync android
3

Run on device/emulator

Launch the app on a connected device or emulator:
npx cap run android
This command will:
  • List available devices/emulators
  • Prompt you to select one
  • Build and install the APK
  • Launch the app automatically

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Alternative: Using Ionic CLI

# Build and run in one command
ionic capacitor run android -l --external
The -l flag enables live reload, and --external makes it accessible on your local network.

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Build APK for Testing

To build an APK file for distribution: 
# Build using Ionic CLI
ionic capacitor build android
Or build manually in Android Studio:
  1. Open the project in Android Studio: 
    npx cap open android
  2. In Android Studio:
    • Select Build > Build Bundle(s) / APK(s) > Build APK(s)
    • Wait for the build to complete
    • Find the APK in android/app/build/outputs/apk/debug/app-debug.apk
The project includes a pre-built APK at /app-debug.apk in the root directory for testing.

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Running on Emulator

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Create an Android Virtual Device (AVD)

1

Open AVD Manager

In Android Studio, go to Tools > Device Manager (or AVD Manager).
2

Create new device

  • Click Create Device
  • Select a device definition (e.g., Pixel 5)
  • Choose a system image (API level 24 or higher)
  • Finish the setup
3

Launch emulator

Start the emulator from AVD Manager or via command line:
emulator -avd Pixel_5_API_33
4

Deploy to emulator

With the emulator running:
npx cap run android

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Running on Physical Device

1

Enable Developer Options

On your Android device:
  • Go to Settings > About phone
  • Tap Build number 7 times
  • Developer options will be enabled
2

Enable USB Debugging

  • Go to Settings > System > Developer options
  • Enable USB debugging
3

Connect device

Connect your device via USB and verify:
adb devices
You should see your device listed. If prompted on the device, allow USB debugging.
4

Deploy to device

npx cap run android
Select your physical device from the list.

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Complete Workflow

The typical development workflow: 
# Install dependencies
npm install

# Add Android platform
npx cap add android

# Initial sync
npx cap sync

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Troubleshooting

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Gradle Build Fails

Solution: Check Java version (must be JDK 21): 
java -version
If using the wrong version, update JAVA_HOME: 
export JAVA_HOME=/path/to/jdk-21

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SDK Location Not Found

Solution: Create android/local.properties with: 
sdk.dir=/path/to/Android/Sdk
Or set the ANDROID_HOME environment variable.

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Device Not Detected

If adb devices shows no devices:
  1. Check USB cable connection
  2. Try a different USB port
  3. Restart adb: adb kill-server && adb start-server
  4. Verify USB debugging is enabled on the device
  5. Try revoking USB debugging authorizations on the device and reconnecting

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App Crashes on Launch

Check logs: 
adb logcat | grep -i capacitor
Or view logs in Android Studio’s Logcat panel.

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Sync Errors

If npx cap sync fails, try: 
# Remove and re-add Android platform
npx cap remove android
npx cap add android
npx cap sync android

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Build Errors After Dependency Updates

Clean and rebuild: 
cd android
./gradlew clean
cd ..
npx cap sync android

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Production Release

For releasing to the Google Play Store:

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Generate Signing Key

keytool -genkey -v -keystore tareas-release-key.keystore \
  -alias tareas -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 10000

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Configure Signing in Android Studio

  1. Open android/app/build.gradle
  2. Add signing configuration:
android {
    signingConfigs {
        release {
            storeFile file("tareas-release-key.keystore")
            storePassword "your-password"
            keyAlias "tareas"
            keyPassword "your-password"
        }
    }
    buildTypes {
        release {
            signingConfig signingConfigs.release
        }
    }
}

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Build Release APK/AAB

In Android Studio:
  • Build > Generate Signed Bundle / APK
  • Select Android App Bundle for Play Store
  • Follow the wizard to create a signed release
Google Play Store requires Android App Bundle (AAB) format for new apps.

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Next Steps

iOS Deployment

Build and deploy to iOS devices

Web Build

Deploy as a web application

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