Guides

Test an APK without Android Studio

Upload an APK or AAB, run it on a live Android device in the browser, and share it with someone else. No SDK, emulator or USB cable.

You do not need Android Studio to run an APK. You need a build artifact and a browser. SpawnDroid installs the build on an Android device and streams the screen, so the machine you are using only needs the file.

What counts as a build

FileUpload it?Notes
.apkYesA universal APK, including native arm64-v8a libraries.
.aabYesConverted to a universal APK on the device host at launch.
.xapk, .apks, .zipNoSplit bundles are not supported.

Maximum upload size is 512 MB. If you only have an .xapk or a split archive, rebuild a universal APK first. The upload guide covers Android Studio, Gradle, Flutter and React Native outputs.

Upload and run

  1. Sign in and open Artifacts.
  2. Select Upload APK or AAB and choose the file.
  3. Open the artifact and select Start session.
  4. Pick a device profile and select Launch.

The device boots, installs the build and opens the app. Tap, type and scroll in the browser; the input goes to the running app. Live Logcat is beside the screen.

No build handy?

Use the sample app on the dashboard. Start the demo app seeds a sample build and opens a live device in one click, so you can try the workflow before you have an APK.

Share the result

Open the artifact's Share dialog to create an unlisted link. The recipient opens it, presses Launch, and tries the app without an account or a seat. The link expires on the plan's window and can be revoked. See Share a build.

What you give up without the SDK

  • No adb logcat from your machine. The console streams Logcat live; retained captures start on Personal.
  • No local adb install. The upload is the install step.
  • No device mirroring beyond the browser session.
  • No local emulator snapshots. Each session is a fresh isolated device.

For automated tests, the same build can be handed to Appium. See Run Appium tests in the cloud.

Run it on SpawnDroid

Hobby includes one parallel runner and 200 device-minutes a month, no card. Start free and upload the APK.

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