I’m developing in PyCharm using Kivy/MD but struggling with Buildozer. I’m looking for a more straightforward way to make an APK without dealing with the complexity of Linux or a virtual machine. I’m willing to pay, and I would prefer to stay within PyCharm but still build in Android Studio. Is that possible, or are there better alternatives?
Hey, I’ve been working with Python and Android integrations for a while, so I get where you’re coming from. While Android Studio is the most straightforward way of making an APK, it can feel overwhelming if you’re deep into Python frameworks like Kivy. Since you want to avoid the whole Buildozer and Linux setup, I’d recommend looking into Chaquopy. It’s a plugin that lets you combine Python and Java inside Android Studio, so you can keep using PyCharm for coding and still build your APK through Android Studio without jumping into complex Linux environments. It’s definitely less painful than Buildozer and doesn’t require a virtual machine.
Building on what Vindhya said from my experience, Android Studio is the most straightforward way of making an APK, especially if you’re aiming for full control and reliability. But integrating Python into that workflow can be tricky. Chaquopy really shines here because it acts as a bridge, letting you embed Python directly into Android Studio projects alongside Java or Kotlin. You’d still do your coding in PyCharm if you prefer, but the actual APK build would happen inside Android Studio, keeping things neat. It’s not a perfect one-click solution, but compared to Buildozer and wrestling with Linux, it’s a smoother ride. Worth the slight learning curve if you want to keep things professional and manageable.
Adding my two cents — after spending quite some time juggling Kivy, PyCharm, and APK builds, I can confidently say Android Studio is the most straightforward way of making an APK when it comes to stability and support. That said, if you’re hesitant about Linux or virtual machines, Chaquopy really is your best middle ground. Unlike Kivy’s default Build Support, which demands a Linux environment, Chaquopy lets you stick with your Python code and smoothly integrate it into Android Studio’s build system. This means less frustration, fewer setup headaches, and you don’t have to stray from your PyCharm workflow for development. If you’re okay investing some time to master Chaquopy, it’s definitely a more streamlined, professional path to APK creation without the complexity you’re trying to avoid.