AEM Apps - Android APK

[ashwin_ganesh]

I am trying to generate and deploy an apk file for the Geometrixx Outdoors demo app in AEM 6.1, for which I followed the documentation step by step.

After installing the apk on my android phone, it is stuck on the Splash screen and I am not able to navigate further.

Has anyone tried installing the apk file on an android phone? Please share the steps for generating and deploying so that I can validate my process.

Thanks,
Ashwin

[Kunal_Gaba_]

Have you built the application using the phone gap cloud service in AEM ? You can either deploy the generated apk file manually using Android developer tools. Or else you can test it on your mobile device by using the Phonegap Enterprise application available on Android Playstore. When you will launch the Phonegap Enterprise on your mobile it will ask you the hostname and port of AEM and after you are connected it will show you the list of apps available for testing. 

[Kunal_Gaba_]

I just  installed the generated apk file on my device by just double tapping on the downloaded file. I don't see any issues and can browse all the content in the application. 

[ashwin_ganesh]

Hi Kunal,

Thanks a lot for turning up. I have actually created the app using phonegap CLI since I do not have access to cloud environment from here.

[Kunal_Gaba_ · Accepted solution]

You can create a account for yourself on the phonegap cloud here -  https://build.phonegap.com/apps. You are allowed to build 1 free app for development purposes. You can follow these steps to register it with your AEM instance-

1. Register this service in AEM, by going to cloud configurations http://localhost:4502/etc/cloudservices/phonegap-build.html

2. Go to Apps dashboard - http://localhost:4502/libs/mobileapps/admin/content/dashboard.html/content/phonegap/geometrixx-outdo... 

3. Register the newly created phonegap service with the build UI (See the attached screenshot). 

4. Then click on build remote. 

5. After the build is complete you will be  be able to download the built file directly from AEM or phonegap cloud (https://build.phonegap.com/apps)

[johnl1]

Hi Ashwin,

It sounds like you're facing an issue with the Geometrixx Outdoors demo app's APK getting stuck on the splash screen after installation. This could be related to a number of factors, including configuration issues or missing dependencies during the APK generation process.

Here are a few steps to help you troubleshoot and ensure you're deploying the APK correctly:

Check AEM Version Compatibility: Ensure that you're using a version of AEM (Adobe Experience Manager) that is fully compatible with the demo app and all associated modules. The app may not be optimized for AEM 6.1, and upgrading might resolve the issue.

Verify the Build Process: Double-check that the APK build process followed the documentation accurately, including any prerequisites for the Geometrixx Outdoors app. Sometimes missing steps in the AEM build configuration or an incomplete deployment can cause issues like getting stuck on the splash screen.

Review Logs for Errors: If the app freezes on the splash screen, try checking the logcat logs on your Android device to see if there are any errors or crashes happening in the background. This will give you more insight into whether the issue lies in the APK itself or the device's environment.

Clear Cache/Storage: Try clearing the cache and storage of the app in your Android phone’s settings before reinstalling the APK. Sometimes, old files or previous installation attempts can interfere with a fresh install.

Check API Levels: Make sure the Android API level you're testing on matches the requirements specified in the app’s documentation. Incompatible API levels could lead to the app freezing.

If these steps don’t help resolve the issue, I would recommend reaching out to the AEM or Geometrixx community forums for additional insights or patches specific to your setup.

If you're also interested in exploring more resources for APK development or troubleshooting, you might find helpful tools and guides at Fire Kirin APK, which offer great tutorials for Android development.

Hope this helps!

[johnl1]

In addition to those steps, another effective approach could be to test the APK on an emulator before deploying it on a physical device. Emulators allow you to simulate different Android versions and configurations, helping to isolate whether the splash screen issue is device-specific. Also, consider using ProGuard to strip out unused code, which can sometimes resolve compatibility issues with third-party libraries. For anyone looking into in-depth APK resources, offers tools and insights that could help enhance your build and deployment process. Let us know if these tips bring you closer to a solution!

[SpotifyPr]

Another useful approach is to test the APK on an emulator before deploying it to a physical device. Emulators let you simulate various Android versions and configurations, making it easier to determine if the splash screen issue is device-specific. Additionally, using ProGuard to remove unused code can help resolve compatibility problems with third-party libraries. For those seeking comprehensive APK resources, there are tools and insights available to enhance your build and deployment process. Let us know if these tips help you move closer to a solution!

[Sophia5]

Here’s a Step-by-Step guide to generating and deploying an APK for the Geometrixx Outdoors demo app in AEM 6.1, along with troubleshooting tips for resolving the splash screen issue:

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Step 1: Prepare the Environment

1. Install AEM 6.1:

   • Ensure that Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) 6.1 is properly installed and running on your system.
   • Verify that the required packages for the Geometrixx Outdoors app are installed.

2. Set Up the Required Tools:

   • Install Java Development Kit (JDK) 8.
   • Install Apache Maven.
   • Set up Android Studio for debugging and APK signing.

3. Install the AEM Mobile Add-On:

   • Check that the AEM Mobile Add-On is installed. This is necessary for building the APK.

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Step 2: Build the APK

1. Generate the Content Package:

   • Navigate to the Geometrixx Outdoors project in AEM.
   • Build the content package using the mvn clean install command.

2. Set Up the PhoneGap Build Configuration:

   • Locate the config.xml file in the app source directory.
   • Ensure the configuration matches your environment settings, including paths, permissions, and APIs.

3. Use the AEM PhoneGap Plugin:

   • Use the PhoneGap plugin for AEM to package the app.
   • Run the mvn -PautoInstallPackage command to deploy the package to AEM.

4. Generate the APK:

   • Use the PhoneGap Build service or Cordova to create the APK.
   • Sign the APK using the Android keystore for deployment.

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Step 3: Deploy the APK

1. Install the APK on Your Android Device:
   • Transfer the APK file to your Android device.
   • Enable "Install from unknown sources" in your device settings.
   • Install the APK using a file manager or ADB.

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Step 4: Troubleshooting Splash Screen Issues

If the app is stuck on the splash screen:

1. Check the config.xml:

   • Verify that the <content> tag points to the correct starting page (e.g., index.html).

2. Inspect the Console Logs:

   • Connect your Android device to a computer.
   • Use adb logcat to view logs and identify any JavaScript, resource-loading, or initialization errors.

3. Verify Resource Accessibility:

   • Ensure all assets (e.g., images, scripts, and stylesheets) referenced by the app are included in the build and accessible.

4. Test the App on the Emulator:

   • Run the APK in an Android emulator to isolate device-specific issues.

5. Debug JavaScript Code:

   • Use Chrome DevTools to debug the app while it runs on the device.

6. Update PhoneGap/Cordova Plugins:

   • Ensure all plugins used in the app are compatible with AEM 6.1 and your Android version.

---

Step 5: Rebuild and Test

1. Address any issues identified in the logs or configuration.
2. Rebuild the APK following the above steps.
3. Deploy it again to verify that the issue is resolved.

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If these steps don’t resolve the issue, let me know where you are facing difficulties, and we can dive deeper into a specific area!