Building Your App

Last updated: May 22, 2026

The Build page is where you generate installable files for your app. Before building, set the version details. After building, download your Android files or test your iOS app.

Version Details

Version Name

The user-visible version label displayed in the app stores.

  • Default: 1.0

  • Format: Numbers and dots only, up to 4 segments (e.g., 1.0.0.0)
  • Cannot start with 0
  • Examples: 1.0, 2.5.1, 10.0

Version Code

An internal integer that the app stores use to track build history. Every update you publish must have a higher Version Code than the previous build.

  • Default: 1

  • Format: Positive whole numbers only — no letters or dots
  • Examples: 1, 2, 15, 100

Important: Always increment the Version Code with every build you submit to the Play Store or App Store. Submitting with the same code as a previous build will be rejected.

Android

After a successful build, you can download two formats:

FormatUse for
APKDirect installation on devices for testing, or sideloading
AAB (Android App Bundle)Required for publishing on Google Play Store

Installing an APK

When you install an APK directly on a device (outside the Play Store), Android may show a Google Play Protect warning. This is standard for apps not yet distributed through the Play Store and does not mean the app contains malware. Once your app is published on Google Play, the warning disappears.

If the APK installs but does not open:

  • The device may be running Android below 7.0

  • The device may use a 32-bit processor, but your build was set to 64-bit only — see the Android Signing Keystore article to change the build architecture

iOS

Browser-Based Simulator

Every iOS build can be tested immediately using the built-in browser-based simulator — no Mac, no Xcode, no Apple Developer account required. The simulator lets you preview the app's navigation, UI, and integrations directly in your browser.

TestFlight (Real Device Testing)

If you have completed iOS Code Signing, Appilix automatically uploads the build to App Store Connect after each build completes. From there:

  1. Open App Store Connect and navigate to your app.

  2. Go to the TestFlight tab.
  3. Add internal or external testers.
  4. Testers install the app on their real iPhone or iPad via the TestFlight app.

No manual IPA upload is needed — the upload happens automatically as part of the build process.