How to Create Signed APK Using Only Cordova CLI

By default, APK generated by Cordova is a debug APK. But we need a release apk and moreover we need to sign it in order to make it be able to submit it somewhere or share with somebody.

Preparation

Edit platforms/android/AndroidManifest.xml
Delete or comment anywhere there is android:debuggable="xyz"

<application <!-- android:debuggable="false" --> android:hardwareAccelerated="true" android:icon="@drawable/icon" android:label="@string/app_name">

cd to project root and run:

keytool -genkey -v -keystore example-mobileapps.keystore -alias example-mobileapps -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 10000

You will be asked various questions. Just answer them correctly, set two passwords, then you are good. A .keystore file will be created.

Create a build.json on project root:

{
    "android": {
        "release": {
            "keystore": "example-mobileapps.keystore",
            "storePassword": "pass123",
            "alias": "example-mobileapps",
            "password" : "pass123",
            "keystoreType": ""
        }
    }
}

How to build signed release APK with Cordova CLI

Now that we have everything setup, just run:

cordova build android --release

The relase apk will be generated in ./platform/android/build/outputs/apk as android-release.apk

Ref:
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/26449512/how-to-create-signed-apk-file-using-cordova-command-line-interface
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/30106468/specify-signing-config-for-gradle-and-cordova-5