How to Generate APK from AAB Online
If you are an Android developer, you might have heard of the Android App Bundle (AAB) format. It is a new publishing format that Google introduced in 2018 to replace the traditional Android Package (APK) format. In this article, we will explain what AAB and APK are, why you should use AAB instead of APK, and how to convert AAB to APK online.
generate apk from aab online
What is AAB and APK
AAB and APK are both file formats used in Android development. APK is the Android packaging format that users can install directly on their devices. It is Android's installable, executable format for apps. AAB is a publishing format that developers provide to Google. With the introduction of AAB, developers no longer have to worry about developing multiple APKs for different devices. App bundles are only for publishing and cannot be installed on Android devices.
Why use AAB instead of APK
The main benefit of using AAB instead of APK is that it reduces the app size, installation time, and bandwidth consumption. This is because Google Play uses a process called Dynamic Delivery to deliver optimized versions of app packages (APKs) to user devices so they contain only the specific portions of the app that each device needs to run. For example, if your device has a Full HD+ resolution, you will receive an APK without 4K material. If you have selected English and German as the device language, you will not need the Swahili language pack.
According to Google, using AAB can reduce app size by an average of 15% compared to a universal APK. This can improve user retention, engagement, and conversion rates. Moreover, using AAB simplifies the development process as you only need to upload one file to Google Play instead of managing multiple APKs for different device configurations.
How to convert AAB to APK online
Although using AAB has many advantages, there might be some situations where you need to generate an APK from an AAB file. For example, you might want to test your app on a local device or emulator before uploading it to Google Play. Or you might want to distribute your app outside of Google Play or other app stores that support AAB.
To convert AAB to APK online, you will need a tool called bundletool. Bundletool is a command-line tool that helps you manipulate app bundles and generate APKs from them. You can download bundletool from . Here are the steps to convert AAB to APK online using bundletool:
Step 1: Download bundletool
Go to and download the latest release of bundletool-all-version.jar file. Rename that file to bundletool.jar and save it in a folder on your computer.
Step 2: Generate your AAB file
Use your preferred development tool (such as Android Studio, Gradle, Unity, etc.) to generate your AAB file from your app project. Save the AAB file in the same folder as bundletool.jar. For example, if your app name is MyApp, your AAB file name might be MyApp-release.aab.
Step 3: Use bundletool to build APKs from AAB
Open a terminal or command prompt window and navigate to the folder where you saved bundletool.jar and MyApp-release.aab. Run the following command:
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java -jar bundletool.jar build-apks --bundle=MyApp-release.a b --output=MyApp-release.apks
This command will generate a file called MyApp-release.apks, which is a zip file that contains all the APKs for different device configurations. Note that you might need to add the --ks and --ks-key-alias flags to specify your signing key and alias if your app bundle is signed.
Step 4: Extract the universal APK from the APKS file
To extract the universal APK from the APKS file, you can use any zip tool (such as WinZip, 7-Zip, etc.) to unzip the MyApp-release.apks file. You will find a folder called universal inside the unzipped folder. Inside that folder, you will find a file called universal.apk, which is the universal APK that can run on any device. You can rename that file to MyApp-release.apk and install it on your device or emulator.
Best online tools for AAB to APK conversion
If you don't want to use bundletool or you want a simpler and faster way to convert AAB to APK online, you can use some of the online tools that offer this service. Here are some of the best online tools for AAB to APK conversion:
AAB to APK Converter
is a free online tool that allows you to upload your AAB file and download the corresponding APK file in seconds. You don't need to install anything or sign up for an account. You just need to select your AAB file, click on Convert, and wait for the download link to appear. You can also choose to receive the download link by email.
Website To APK (+AAB)
is an online tool that helps you convert your website or web app into an Android app. You can choose to generate either an APK or an AAB file from your website URL. You can also customize some settings such as app name, icon, splash screen, orientation, permissions, etc. You need to sign up for a free account to use this tool.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explained what AAB and APK are, why you should use AAB instead of APK, and how to convert AAB to APK online. We have also shared some of the best online tools for AAB to APK conversion. We hope you found this article helpful and informative.
Using AAB can help you reduce your app size, improve your user experience, and simplify your development process. However, if you need to generate an APK from an AAB file for testing or distribution purposes, you can use bundletool or one of the online tools we mentioned above. Try them out and let us know what you think.
If you have any questions or feedback about this article, feel free to leave a comment below. And if you liked this article, please share it with your friends and colleagues who might find it useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between AAB and APK?
AAB is a publishing format that developers provide to Google Play. It contains all the resources and code of an app in a single file. Google Play uses Dynamic Delivery to generate optimized APKs for different devices from the AAB file. APK is the Android packaging format that users can install directly on their devices. It is Android's installable, executable format for apps.
How do I generate an AAB file?
You can use your preferred development tool (such as Android Studio, Gradle, Unity, etc.) to generate an AAB file from your app project. You need to select the option to build an app bundle instead of an APK when you build your app.
How do I install an AAB file on my device?
You cannot install an AAB file directly on your device. You need to convert it to an APK file first using bundletool or one of the online tools we mentioned above. Then you can install the APK file on your device or emulator.
Can I distribute my app outside of Google Play using AAB?
No, you cannot distribute your app outside of Google Play using AAB. App bundles are only for publishing on Google Play or other app stores that support AAB. If you want to distribute your app outside of these platforms, you need to generate an APK file from your AAB file using bundletool or one of the online tools we mentioned above.
What are the benefits of using AAB over APK?
The main benefit of using AAB over APK is that it reduces the app size, installation time, and bandwidth consumption. This is because Google Play uses Dynamic Delivery to deliver optimized versions of app packages (APKs) to user devices so they contain only the specific portions of the app that each device needs to run. This can improve user retention, engagement, and conversion rates. Moreover, using AAB simplifies the development process as you only need to upload one file to Google Play instead of managing multiple APKs for different device configurations. 44f88ac181