bundletool-validate

Verify a bundle and display detailed information about it

$ bundletool validate --bundle [path/to/bundle.aab]

bundletool validate --bundle=

--bundle=
    Specifies the path to the Android App Bundle file (.aab) that you want to validate.

--output=
    Specifies the file to which the validation output will be written. If not specified, output goes to stdout.

--config=
    Specifies a custom configuration file to use for validation. This is useful for overriding default validation rules.

--verbose
    Enables verbose output, providing more detailed information about the validation process and any errors encountered.

The `bundletool validate` command is a tool used to verify the integrity and structure of an Android App Bundle (AAB) file. It performs a series of checks to ensure that the AAB adheres to the Google Play Store's requirements for publishing applications. This includes validating the format of the manifest files, resource directories, and other components within the bundle. It also verifies that the AAB contains the necessary metadata for generating optimized APKs for different device configurations. By using this command, developers can proactively identify and fix potential issues that might prevent their app from being successfully uploaded to or installed from the Google Play Store. This validation process is crucial for ensuring a smooth app distribution experience and minimizing rejections due to malformed or invalid AABs. bundletool helps ensure your app meets Google's stringent publication requirements.
Validation includes checks of manifest files, resource structures, and metadata. It prevents unexpected issues during app deployment.

Validation doesn't guarantee 100% compatibility. Some Play Store checks might not be covered. Requires a valid bundletool installation.

Returns 0 on success, a non-zero code on failure (validation errors). Check standard output for detailed error messages.

The `bundletool validate` command was introduced as part of the `bundletool` suite to facilitate the adoption of the Android App Bundle format. The AAB format was designed to optimize app delivery by only providing users with the code and resources they need based on their device configuration. The validate command arose as a necessity to verify that AABs were properly constructed, ensuring compliance with the Play Store requirements. As the AAB format has evolved, so has the validation process, with new checks and rules being added to accommodate new features and changes in the Play Store policies. This ongoing development is meant to help developers create and publish apps that work efficiently across a wide range of devices and configurations, and to improve the user experience.

bundletool(1)