Enable split apk only when release build.

During development most of the time you do not need split apk, but doesn't work settings like bellow.

buildType {
  debug {
    splits {
      abi {
        println ("split settings for debug.")
        enable false
      }
    }
  }

  release { 
    splits {
      abi {
        println ("split settings for release.")
        enable true
        reset()
        include 'armeabi-v7a', 'arm64-v8a', 'x86', 'x86_64'
        universalApk true
      }
    }
  }
}

This is because the setting process is executed sequentially.

./gradlew assembleDebug
> ...
> split settings for debug.
> split settings for release.
> ...

Solution 1

You can access the gradle task name on gradle scripts. Control the splits by the task name as follows.

android {
  splits {
    abi {
      enable gradle.startParameter.taskNames.contains("assembleRelease")
      reset()
      include 'armeabi-v7a', 'arm64-v8a', 'x86', 'x86_64'
      universalApk true
    }
  }
}

Solution 2

You can pass parameters to gradle script.

android {
  splits {
    abi {
      enable project.hasProperty("enabledSplitApks")
      reset()
      include 'armeabi-v7a', 'arm64-v8a', 'x86', 'x86_64'
      universalApk true
    }
  }
}

Control split apk as needed.

./gradlew assembleDebug -PenabledSplitApks

It saves build time by omitting extra processing 😄