How to Fix "This App Bundle Contains Native Code, and You've Not Uploaded Debug Symbols

How to Upload Native Debug Symbols

Why This Error Occurs

When your Android app uses native code (NDK/C++), Google Play requires debug symbols (stored in .so files) to analyze crashes. If missing, you’ll see:

"This app bundle contains native code, and you've not uploaded debug symbols."

Solution: Create and Upload a Debug Symbols ZIP

Follow these steps to resolve the issue:

Step 1: Locate the lib Folder

Navigate to this path in your Android project:

app/build/intermediates/merged_native_libs/release/mergeReleaseNativeLibs/out/lib/

Note: Replace release with debug if testing locally.

Step 2: Check the lib Folder Contents

The folder contains subdirectories for different CPU architectures:

• arm64-v8a (64-bit ARM devices)
• armeabi-v7a (32-bit ARM devices)
• x86 (x86-based devices)
• x86_64 (64-bit x86 devices)

Each contains compiled .so (shared object) files.

Step 3: Create a ZIP File

Compress the entire lib folder:

1. Select all subfolders inside lib.
2. Right-click → Compress (Windows/macOS/Linux).
3. Name the file native-debug-symbols.zip.

Step 4: Upload to Google Play Console

1. Go to Google Play Console → Your App → Release → App Bundle Explorer.
2. Under "Native Debug Symbols", click Upload.
3. Select your native-debug-symbols.zip file.

Conclusion

By uploading debug symbols, you enable Google Play to track native crashes. This error will disappear, and your app will meet submission requirements.

Tags: Android Studio, Google Play Console, Debug Symbols, NDK, AAB Error