Android build methods
When building Android games, Godot supports two distinct build methods which we call Legacy and Gradle.
ShipThis defaults to the Gradle build method unless your export_presets.cfg explicitly says otherwise.
Legacy
The Legacy build method is great for quickly testing your game on your own device. It works by packaging your code into an existing APK included in the Godot export templates. This APK is then signed using your keystore.
The Legacy build method only supports building in APK format.
Google Play now only allows uploads in the AAB format. See their blog post for more information about this change.
Gradle
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.X | Godot 4.X |
|---|---|
 |  |
Summary
ShipThis uses a Gradle build for Android by default, meaning your Godot game is immediately available in APK and AAB format.
| Legacy | Gradle | |
|---|---|---|
| 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) |
Godot documentation regarding this: