Generate unsigned release APK with Android Studio

Question

I am trying to generate an unsigned release APK using Android Studio.

My app will not be signed and not distributed on the Store.

In Android studio, I go to Build Variants and I select my project + Build Variant = Release.

I run the release, Android studio generates the file my_project-release-unsigned.apk

Nice! But, when I try to install or deploy the APK, I got the error:

Installation failed since the APK was either not signed, or signed incorrectly.

I dont understand why I got this error since the APK has been explicitly generated unsigned!

Well, if you could tell me how I can setup gradle to generate my APK unsigned....

I am pretty lost!

Answer 1

Per Signing Your Application :

All applications must be signed. The system will not install an application on an emulator or a device if it is not signed.