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How do I open source an Android app?
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ByteMe lemmy.world ByteMe@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-02-21
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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

24   Original
lambipapp lemmy.world lambipapp@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-06-25
#2 · Quote Reply

Look in to what license fits your project best.

5
[object Object] sh.itjust.works Object@sh.itjust.works
Joined: 2024-09-22
#3 · (edited) Quote Reply

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".

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ByteMe lemmy.world ByteMe@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-02-21
#4 · Quote Reply

Look in to what license fits your project best.

Did that. Chose gnu gpl3. Thanks

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ByteMe lemmy.world ByteMe@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-02-21
#5 · Quote Reply

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

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onlinepersona programming.dev onlinepersona@programming.dev
Joined: 2023-09-01
#6 · (edited) Quote Reply

Noted, thank you

https://www.toptal.com/developers/gitignore

That has templates.

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onlinepersona programming.dev onlinepersona@programming.dev
Joined: 2023-09-01
#7 · Quote Reply

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

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abeorch friendica.ginestes.es abeorch@friendica.ginestes.es
Joined: 2026-02-16
#8 · Quote Reply

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

8
breakcore discuss.tchncs.de breakcore@discuss.tchncs.de
Joined: 2023-07-17
#9 · Quote Reply

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

Always a README I would say.

First paragraph tells what the app does im clear terms.

Also, screenshots.

6
ByteMe lemmy.world ByteMe@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-02-21
#10 · Quote Reply

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

I'm thinking about fdroid, just later

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ByteMe lemmy.world ByteMe@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-02-21
#11 · Quote Reply

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

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

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onlinepersona programming.dev onlinepersona@programming.dev
Joined: 2023-09-01
#12 · Quote Reply

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

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.

4
ByteMe lemmy.world ByteMe@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-02-21
#13 · Quote Reply

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.

Good. Thank you

2
fiatcode lemmy.ml fiatcode@lemmy.ml
Joined: 2026-03-30
#14 · Quote Reply

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

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0_o7 lemmy.dbzer0.com 0_o7@lemmy.dbzer0.com
Joined: 2024-12-02
#15 · Quote Reply

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!

2
ByteMe lemmy.world ByteMe@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-02-21
#16 · Quote Reply

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

There is no agent.md 😅

1
ByteMe lemmy.world ByteMe@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-02-21
#17 · Quote Reply

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

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irelephant [he/him] lemmy.dbzer0.com irelephant@lemmy.dbzer0.com
Joined: 2025-06-04
#18 · Quote Reply

[deleted]
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ByteMe lemmy.world ByteMe@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-02-21
#19 · Quote Reply

[deleted]

Thank you:)

2
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