Github Actions: Build and Release Android-APK

build.yml

name: Minimal Android CI Workflow

on:
  push:
    branches:
      - master
    tags:
      - 'v*'

jobs:
  test:
    name: Run Unit Tests
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Checkout
        uses: actions/checkout@v1
      - name: Setup JDK
        uses: actions/setup-java@v1
        with:
          java-version: 1.8
      - name: Run Tests
        run: bash ./gradlew test --stacktrace  
  apk:
    name: Generate APK
    needs: test
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Checkout
        uses: actions/checkout@v1
      - name: Setup JDK
        uses: actions/setup-java@v1
        with:
          java-version: 1.8
      - name: Build APK
        run: bash ./gradlew assembleDebug --stacktrace
      - name: Upload APK
        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v1
        with:
          name: apk
          path: app/build/outputs/apk/debug/app-debug.apk 
  release:
    name: Release APK
    needs: apk
    if: startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/v')
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Download APK from build
        uses: actions/download-artifact@v1
        with:
          name: apk  
      - name: Create Release
        id: create_release
        uses: actions/create-release@v1
        env:
          GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }} 
        with:
          tag_name: ${{ github.ref }}
          release_name: Release ${{ github.ref }} 
      - name: Upload Release APK
        id: upload_release_asset
        uses: actions/[email protected]
        env:
          GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
        with:
          upload_url: ${{ steps.create_release.outputs.upload_url }}
          asset_path: apk/app-debug.apk
          asset_name: MensaApp.apk
          asset_content_type: application/zip

I'm wondering why you release your app with a debug apk? Even without signing the apk ?

This is not a production-ready example ;) It's used in a programming class to show how Github Actions can be used for Continuous Intergration pipelines, not how Android apps should properly be signed and shipped.

where should I download the APK built by the work flow created in my project?

At the bottom of the workflow summary page, there is a dedicated section for artifacts.

I'm not sure where the apk will appear after gradle build, how can i find it ? In which build.gradle?

Thanks so much! This helped me understand Github actions better. Just a note, on line 40 be sure the path points to your own app module. Had to change the path since my app module was not named 'app'.