Android Studio .gitignore Configuration

Android projects built with Android Studio and Gradle generate extensive build artifacts, IDE metadata, and local configuration files. A correct .gitignore prevents repository bloat and avoids machine-specific path issues.

Gradle build output:

• build/ — Every module's compiled output, generated resources, and packaged APK/AAB files. Ignored at all levels: root /build/ and module-level */build/.
• .gradle/ — Gradle's per-project cache, including task history and file snapshots.

Local configuration:

• local.properties — Contains sdk.dir=/path/to/Android/Sdk. This path is different on every developer's machine (macOS vs Linux vs Windows). It is generated by Android Studio on project import. Never commit this file.
• *.properties excluding gradle.properties — Some property files contain signing credentials. Be selective about which .properties files you commit.

Android Studio / IntelliJ patterns:

• .idea/ — IDE configuration (see IntelliJ section for detailed breakdown).
• *.iml — Module files with local SDK and dependency paths.
• .idea/workspace.xml — User-specific workspace state that changes every session.

Build artifacts:

• *.apk — Android application packages. These should be built by CI and distributed via the Play Store or Firebase App Distribution.
• *.aab — Android App Bundles (the modern distribution format required by Google Play).
• *.ap_ — Packaged resource files generated during the build.
• *.dex — Compiled Dalvik bytecode for the Android runtime.

Signing and security:

• *.jks and *.keystore — Signing keystores containing private keys. Git is NOT the right place for these. Store keystores in a secure vault (1Password, HashiCorp Vault, or your CI provider's secrets).
• signing.properties — Keystore passwords and alias configurations.

What to commit: gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.jar, gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties, gradlew, gradlew.bat, and gradle.properties (with non-sensitive JVM arguments). These ensure everyone uses the same Gradle version without a global installation.