Updates to Android

We are planning to roll out some updates to VoltBuilder’s Android support. Here’s what is changing:

1. Builds will use Android SDK Platform 30, which corresponds to Android 11. Google has developer documentation for Android 11 here.

2. cordova-android 10.1.1. This is the latest version of Cordova’s Android support.
   
   To be listed in the Google Play Store, you may need to use this version. To use the previous version, add this line to your config.xml file:
   <engine name="android" spec="9.0.0" />
   To use the new version, add this line to your config.xml file:
   <engine name="android" spec="10.1.1" />

3. Not all plugins have been updated for Cordova 10 yet. If you find problems with a plugin, check that you’re using the latest version of it. If you are, check with the maintainer if it should work, and open an issue there if needed. In the meantime, you can drop back to Cordova 9 - but that is not a permanent solution.

4. In config.xml, if you fail to add a content line, VoltBuilder defaults to index.html:
   <content src="index.html" />
   (If the main file of your app is a different, you can substitute its name.)

5. Builds make .apk files by default. These can be used for debug builds and for release builds outside the Google Play Store. To make .aab (Android Application Bundles), add this line to your voltbuilder.json file:
   "androidPackageType": "bundle",

.aab files cannot be used outside the Google Play Store.

6. Certificates in the Google Play Store have changed somewhat. (There are no changes for apps distributed outside the Store). Google now requires all new apps use Google Play Signing, which is separate from the signing which is required to upload your app. VoltSigner can be used to make the self signed certificates (.p12) which are required for upload to the Play Store. If you use Play App Signing, this certificate is just used to verify your identity and the Play Store handles the actual app signing. We strongly suggest you use Play App Signing when possible.
   
   Once you generate a certificate for uploads, you will need to keep using that certificate for uploads. If you lose your certificate or password, your only option is to create a new store listing with a new package name and start from scratch. (One time exceptions have been made - contact Google for this.)

Changes to cordova-android

Cordova-android 10 has a number of changes which may break your project. See the Release Notes below for the full details.

• Migration to AndroidX from Android Support Library is complete. All plugins that use the Android Support Library will need to be updated to reference the new AndroidX library.
• By default, the WebViewAssetLoader is enabled and allows apps to serve their content from a ‘proper’ origin.
• Support for Android App Bundles (aab) added.
• lots of smaller fixes
• updates to libraries

Release Notes

• 10.1.1
• 10.1.0
• 10.0.1
• 10.0.0

What VoltBuilder Does

VoltBuilder converts your web projects into native Android and iOS apps. VoltBuilder is a wrapper for Apache Cordova and Ionic Capacitor, so you can add native features to your apps via Cordova and Capacitor plugins.

VoltBuilder's Key features:

• Produces native executables — for easy testing & app store publishing.
• Publish in minutes — VoltBuilder uploads directly to Google Play and the Apple App Store.
• Easily generate certificates — VoltSigner makes Android and iOS certificates. No Mac needed!
• Nothing to install — just head to the Uploads page to get building.
• Nothing to store — we don't keep your passwords, certs, or code in our cloud.
• Always up-to-date — we install and maintain the latest SDKs and tooling so you don't have to.

How to Use VoltBuilder

It's as simple as Upload, Download, Run. Done.

1. Zip your web project.
2. Upload it to our platform.
3. Download the native app or let us deploy it to stores.
4. Run it instantly via QR code or direct link for testing.

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