Compile generic APKs without the need of installing Android SDK

[fingus]

Is it possible to create/compile generic APKs without needing to install the Android SDK? So you could install/sideload it on systems that don't rely on Google Play Services, like LineageOS, SailfishOS with Android App Support, etc. It's annoying to be tied to Google with a developer account and be forced to send my ID card for registration. They've gone too far with this!

[plouf]

not possible as it uses SDK

however you dont need to have a google accound to compile an app, and you can distribute genereated APK, in any other "store" like pureapk

[airsoftsoftwair]

Is it possible to create/compile generic APKs without needing to install the Android SDK? So you could install/sideload it on systems that don't rely on Google Play Services, like LineageOS, SailfishOS with Android App Support, etc. It's annoying to be tied to Google with a developer account and be forced to send my ID card for registration. They've gone too far with this!

Huh? You can install the Android SDK without having to set up a Google developer account or have they changed anything since I last did this in January 2026? Don't know what you've tried but just install Android Studio, it will automatically install the Android SDK and it won't ask for any developer account. Developing for Android is actually pretty relaxing UNLESS you want to publish something on the Play Store. Then you of course have to go through the whole procedure including ID card verification or stuff like that but if you only want to sideload apps or create APKs for distribution outside the Play Store you won't need any of that.