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Android build methods

Godot supports two distinct approaches for creating an Android build: Legacy and Gradle.

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ShipThis defaults to the Gradle build method unless your export_presets.cfg explicitly says otherwise.

Legacy​

The Legacy build method is designed for quickly testing your game on a device. Godot takes an existing Android export template APK, injects your game data, and signs it with your keystore.

This method does not produce a Gradle project and does not use Godot's modern Android build system.

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Legacy builds support APK only.

Google Play now requires AAB uploads, which means developers targeting the Play Store must use the Gradle build pipeline. See Google’s announcement here.

Gradle (Modern Godot Android Build Pipeline)​

The Gradle build method must be used if you want to publish your game in AAB format to the Google Play store.

It can be enabled in the "Project > Export" dialog.

On older versions of Godot this build method is called a "Custom Build".

Godot 3.XGodot 4.X
Godot 3.XGodot 4.X

What the Gradle method actually does​

When Gradle build is enabled, Godot will install an Android build template, this usually lives within an android folder within your project directory. This build template includes:

  • build.gradle and related Gradle configuration
  • AndroidManifest.xml
  • Java/Kotlin stub files and the generated Godot engine libraries

This allows:

  • plugin and SDK support (AdMob, Play Games, Firebase, billing, etc.)
  • generating both APK and AAB
  • reproducible CI/CD builds
  • optionally opening the Gradle project in Android Studio for debugging or extension

Summary​

ShipThis uses a Gradle build for Android by default, meaning your Godot game is immediately available in APK and AAB format.

LegacyGradle
Plugin Support⚠️ Very limited✅ Full support
Output Format - APK✅ Supported✅ Supported
Output Format - AAB❌ Not supported✅ Supported
Enabled by ShipThis⚠️ Yes, but only if explicitly configured in export preset✅ Yes (default)

How ShipThis Builds Godot Android Games​

ShipThis is a cloud build system designed for Godot developers. When you submit an Android build, ShipThis:

  • Reads your export_presets.cfg
  • Uses the build method defined there (Legacy or Gradle)
  • If no export_presets.cfg is found, ShipThis creates one that defaults to Gradle
  • You do not need to install the Android build template
    • If the android folder is missing, the ShipThis build server will install it automatically from the Godot templates
  • Runs the Godot Gradle build in a clean, reproducible environment and uploads the resulting APK & AAB to your build storage

Godot documentation references:​