# Building the app yourself

## Building the app

**Prerequisites**: Android Studio and python3  installed on your device.

1. Place the created icons in the `/newicons` folder and add the new Component Info codes in the `appfilter.xml`, you can gather it with [icon request](https://github.com/Kaiserdragon2/IconRequest/releases/) (see [updating-existing-apps](https://docs.arcticons.com/contribute/updating-existing-apps "mention")).
2. Change the `versionCode` and `versionName` in the `/app/build.gradle` file.
3. Open the repo in Android Studio. It will take a while to sync/load everything for the first time.
4. Choose the build flavor that you want 
5. In the top bar on the right side, you will see a dropdown menu next to a green play button.

   <figure><img src="https://1579052187-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F2RrVVBRQ3dxPE4yo9gYS%2Fuploads%2FTPT4ojL3VkD7BfkeEqix%2FScherm%C2%ADafbeelding%202025-04-07%20om%2014.43.43.png?alt=media&#x26;token=91458af2-9ffe-4e3d-9212-f347700d2b05" alt="" width="297"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
6. It's important to check for possible errors in your icons or appfilter entries, click on the dropdown menu and click on **RunChecks**. The Build tab at the bottom will show possible entries or icons to fix.
7. In the left sidebar, you will find the build variants button, choose the variant that you want<br>

   <figure><img src="https://1579052187-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F2RrVVBRQ3dxPE4yo9gYS%2Fuploads%2FoXmYuniC4xBCgMml8TL0%2FScherm%C2%ADafbeelding%202025-04-07%20om%2011.35.51.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f7b77a78-c04a-4c41-aaaf-85aac45d3231" alt="" width="341"><figcaption><p>Build Variants tab in Android studio</p></figcaption></figure>
8. Click on the dropdown menu and click on **Prepare New Release**, and then the green play button. Wait for the process to finish.
9. Plug your phone and allow USB debugging in your phone's developer settings.
   1. `Settings > About phone > Build number`
10. Click on the dropdown menu and click on **App**, then the green play button to run the app on your phone!
    1. You can also generate an APK file in Android studio:
       * `Toolbar > Build > Make project (the hammer icon)`
         * For a [normal APK](https://developer.android.com/studio/run/): `Toolbar > Build > Build bundle(s)/APK(s) > Build APK(s)`
         * For a [signed APK](https://developer.android.com/studio/publish/app-signing): `Toolbar > Build > Build bundle(s)/APK(s) > Generate signed bundle/APK`

### Choosing your build flavors

The app is built as a debug version (`com.donnnno.arcticons.debug`) by default.

To choose another variant: `Build Variants`(on the left sidebar) `> *Active Build Variant* > select from the menu.`