How to convert KivyMD to android apk?

Converting a KivyMD App into an AndroidAPK

KivyMD is an ultra-popular framework, an extension of another well-known framework called Kivy, that provides lots of tools and widgets to make modern and beautiful UIs for Android, iOS, and Linux. If you are creating an application with KivyMD and want it to be installed on Android devices, then this conversion must be done. This tutorial will help you convert a KivyMD app into an Android APK.

Requirements

Have the following tools and software ready before you begin.

• Python: It is written in Python, so you would have to install the same onto your system.
• Kivy: KivyMD extends this base library.
• KivyMD: Material Design Extension for Kivy.
• Buildozer: Automate the packaging of your Python code so that it is a fully standalone package for Android.
• Java Development Kit (JDK): It compiles the Android APK.
• Android SDK and NDK: This will install the tools and libraries to compile your app for Android.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Environment

• Download Python: Go to the [Python website](https://www.python.org/downloads) and download Python.
• Installing Kivy and Kivy: Open your terminal or command prompt and run the following commands

  pip install kivy
  pip install kivymd
  

• Buildozer Construction: Buildozer is a tool for packaging Python applications into standalone APKs. Let's install it using pip.

  pip install buildozer
  

• Install JDK: Download JDK from [official Oracle website](https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase-jdk11-downloads.html) and install it or use OpenJDK.
• Install Android SDK and NDK: These are generally built in by Buildozer automatically, though you can also download them from the [Android Studio website manually](https://developer.android.com/studio).

Step 2: Make Your KivyMD App Ready to Package

• Make a new Folder for your App:If it does not exist, create a new directory for your KivyMD app and then put your Python files into it, along with images, fonts, and other assets.
• Create a `main.py` File: Just don't forget to name your main Python script file `main.py`. Buildozer expects this filename by default.
• Create a `buildozer.spec` File: Go to your project directory through Terminal, and execute the init command. It creates a buildozer.spec file which may contain settings to configure your app packaging.

  buildozer init
  

• Edit the buildozer.spec File: Open the `buildozer.spec` file in a text editor and set at least the key options: title, package.name, source files, requirements.

  title = My KivyMD App
  package.name = mykiv
  package.domain = org.example
  source.include_exts = py
  Requirements = python3,kivy
  

Step 3: Build your apks

• Build the APK: In the terminal go to your project directory and execute the debug command, This will compile your application and produce an APK. The -v flag gives verbose output, and Android debug indicates that you want a debug APK.

  buildozer -v android debug
  

• Please wait for build to finish: This may take a while the first time you do this, as it downloads the Android SDK/NDK and its other dependencies when it runs for the very first time.
• Find the APK:Once the build is complete, this APK will be in the `bin` directory of your project folder, and it should be named something like mykivymdapp-0.1-debug.apk.

Step 4: APK Testing

• Transfer the APK onto your Android gadget:You can download this APK file on your device, for instance, through cloud storage or email, or by connecting the Android to a computer via USB and transferring the APK file.
• Install the APK: Open this '.APK' file on your Android device and follow the on-screen instructions to get the application installed.
• Executing the Program: On successful installation, open the application and test it by thoroughly trying it out.

Step 5: Generate Release APK File

If you intend to publish your app on the Google Play store, then at minimum build a signed and release optimized APK.

• Modify the 'buildozer.spec' File: In 'buildozer.spec' just do 'android.release = True' and mention path to your keystore file.
• Prepare the release APK: Now execute the following command to create a release APK: The release command is: It builds a signed APK ready for distribution.
• Align and Optimize: the APK You can use some of these tools from the Android SDK, like 'zipalign', or even better, use the ApkSigner directly for optimization and signing.

Conclusion

Using appropriate tools, convert KivyMD application for Android APK and package for sharing among Android users. This guide will take you from development for your own use to getting prepared for an official release for a large audience in order to get your KivyMD app on Android devices.