Mastodawn

How do I open source an Android app?

https://lemmy.world/post/45068015

How do I open source an Android app? - Lemmy.World

I’ve been building an app for some time and I’m interested in open sourcing it. I’ve searched the net but I haven’t found a good thorough guide on how to open source an app. So, besides choosing a place to put my code (github etc), what are some other advice you can give me in order to do it right? Thanks in advance

lambipapp 1d ago

Look in to what license fits your project best.

Did that. Chose gnu gpl3. Thanks

[object Object]1d ago

You should check out .gitignore templates and .gitignore file in other open source Android apps to see what needs to be published, what doesn’t need to be published, and most importantly what you should not publish. You should get a couple of results when you search “gitignore android studio”.

Noted, thank you

onlinepersona 1d ago

www.toptal.com/developers/gitignore

That has templates.

gitignore.io

Create useful .gitignore files for your project

onlinepersona 1d ago

Codeberg or gitlab as a source forge. Depending on how private you are, you can start a fresh git repository, then your private history won’t be exposed.

Otherwise, a license and gitignore file and you’re done. Maybe a README if you fancy. And if you want to go overboard, add the apk or request for it to be put on F-Droid

breakcore 1d ago

Always a README I would say.

First paragraph tells what the app does im clear terms.

Also, screenshots.

Do I have to sign the apk? I haven’t found any clear answer on that.

onlinepersona 23h ago

Yep, signing is mandatory, according to the docs. It’s necessary for updating the app. You don’t have to use Google, you can self-sign it.

Sign your app | Android Studio | Android Developers

Learn important concepts related to app signing and security, how to sign your app for release to Google Play using Android Studio, and how to opt in to Play App Signing.

Android Developers

Good. Thank you

@ByteMe Look at publishing it on #fdroid @fdroidorg may be of help.

I’m thinking about fdroid, just later

If you’re new to Android development, before you submit to main f-droid repo, try submitting it to izzydroid repo.

Follow their requirements but even if you miss some things, Izzy is very friendly and will guide you through the process. And then once you’re done, you’ll have a proper setup to submit to the main repo.

Good luck!

Good idea, thanks

fiatcode 18h ago

commit AGENT.md so we’d know if it was AI assisted 👀

There is no agent.md 😅