Issue
I built my project using the new Android App Bundle format. With APK files, I can download the APK to my device, open it, and immediately install the app. I downloaded my app as a bundle (.aab format) and my Nexus 5X running Android 8.1 can't open the file. Is there any way to install AABs on devices in the same convenient manner as APKs?
Solution
Short answer:
Not directly.
Longer answer:
Android App Bundles is the default publishing format for apps on the Google Play Store. But Android devices require .apk files to install applications.
The Play Store or any other source that you're installing from will extract apks from the bundle, sign each one and then install them specific to the target device.
The conversion from .aab to .apk is done via bundletool.
You can use Internal App Sharing to upload a debuggable build of your app to the Play Store and share it with testers.
Answered By - keyboardsurfer
