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Unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--key-pass): How to resolve the error and sign APKs success



How to Fix the Unexpected Parameter(s) After Input APK (--key-pass) Error in Android Studio




Android Studio is the official Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for Android app development. It provides a powerful code editor, a flexible build system, an intelligent code completion, a fast emulator, and many other features that help you create high-quality Android apps.


One of the essential steps in Android app development is APK signing. APK signing is the process of digitally signing your app with a certificate that proves its authenticity and integrity. Signing your app ensures that it has not been tampered with or modified by anyone other than you, and that it can be installed and updated on Android devices.




unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--key-pass)




However, sometimes you may encounter an error when trying to sign your app using Android Studio. One of the common errors is Unexpected parameter(s) after input APK (--key-pass). This error occurs when you use the apksigner tool to sign your app, but provide an invalid or unexpected parameter after specifying the input APK file.


This error can prevent you from signing your app successfully and distributing it to Google Play or other app stores. Therefore, it is important to understand what causes this error and how to fix it.


In this article, we will explain what are the possible causes and solutions for this error, and provide a step-by-step guide for fixing it using a specific example. We will also answer some frequently asked questions related to APK signing.


Possible Causes of the Error




The Unexpected parameter(s) after input APK (--key-pass) error can be caused by various factors, such as:



  • Using an incorrect or outdated version of apksigner tool. The apksigner tool is available in revision 24.0.3 and higher of the Android SDK Build Tools. It lets you sign APKs and confirm that their signature will be verified successfully on all versions of Android supported by that APK. If you use an older version of apksigner, you may encounter compatibility issues or syntax errors.



  • Using an incompatible or corrupted keystore file or password. A keystore file is a file that contains your private key and certificate that you use to sign your app - A keystore file is a file that contains your private key and certificate that you use to sign your app. A password is a string of characters that protects your keystore file from unauthorized access. If you use a keystore file or password that is not compatible with the apksigner tool, or if your keystore file or password is corrupted or damaged, you may encounter the error.



Using an incorrect syntax or order of parameters for apksigner command. The apksigner command has a specific syntax and order of parameters that you need to follow. The general syntax is: apksigner sign --ks <keystore> --ks-key-alias <key-alias> [options] <input-apk>


The order of parameters is: --ks <keystore> --ks-key-alias <key-alias> [--ks-pass <pass-type:pass>] [--key-pass <pass-type:pass>] [--out <output-apk>] [--v1-signing-enabled <truefalse>] [--v2-signing-enabled <truefalse>] [--v3-signing-enabled <truefalse>] [--v4-signing-enabled <truefalse>] [--min-sdk-version <version>] [--max-sdk-version <version>] [--debuggable-apk-permitted <truefalse>] [--no-patch-mode] <input-apk>


  • If you use an incorrect syntax or order of parameters, you may encounter the error.



  • Having an '=' character in the password. The apksigner tool uses the '=' character as a separator between the pass-type and the pass in the --ks-pass and --key-pass parameters. For example, --ks-pass pass:123456. If your password contains an '=' character, the apksigner tool may not be able to parse it correctly and may treat it as an unexpected parameter. For example, if your password is 123=456, the apksigner tool may interpret it as --key-pass 123 456, which is invalid.



Possible Solutions for the Error




The Unexpected parameter(s) after input APK (--key-pass) error can be avoided or resolved by following some general tips and best practices, such as:


How to fix unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--key-pass) error


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Apksigner unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--v1-signing-enabled)


Unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--key-pass) certificate chain length


Apksigner unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--v2-signing-enabled)


Unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--key-pass) certificate fingerprints


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Apksigner unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--v4-signing-enabled)


Unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--key-pass) entry type and creation date


Apksigner unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--debuggable-apk-permitted)


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Apksigner unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--next-signer-name)


Unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--key-pass) extensions and key identifier


Apksigner unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--no-v1-signing)


Unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--key-pass) using build-tools 32.0.0


Apksigner unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--no-v2-signing)


Unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--key-pass) using build-tools 24.0.3 and older


Apksigner unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--no-v3-signing)


Unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--key-pass) using jar apksigner


Apksigner unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--no-v4-signing)


Unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--key-pass) using apksigner.bat file


Apksigner unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--out-fd)


Unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--key-pass) using Unity Forum


Apksigner unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--in-fd)


Unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--key-pass) using Stack Overflow


Apksigner unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--min-sdk-version-fd)


Unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--key-pass) signing app manually from command line


Apksigner unexpected parameter(s) after input apk (--max-sdk-version-fd)


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Apksigner unexpected parameter (s )after input APK ( --help )



  • Updating the Android SDK Build Tools to the latest version. You can update the Android SDK Build Tools using the SDK Manager in Android Studio. To do so, go to Tools > SDK Manager > SDK Tools and check the box for Android SDK Build Tools. Then, click Apply and OK to install the latest version.



Checking the validity and integrity of the keystore file and password. You can use the keytool tool to verify that your keystore file and password are valid and not corrupted. The keytool tool is available in the Java Development Kit (JDK) that you use for Android app development. To use the keytool tool, open a command prompt or terminal window and navigate to the directory where your keystore file is located. Then, run the following command: keytool -list -v -keystore <keystore>


  • You will be prompted to enter your keystore password. If your keystore file and password are valid, you will see information about your keystore entries, such as aliases, certificates, and signatures. If your keystore file or password is invalid or corrupted, you will see an error message.



  • Following the correct syntax and order of parameters for apksigner command. You can refer to the official documentation of the , which is a graphical user interface for the apksigner tool that simplifies the signing process.



Escaping or removing the '=' character from the password. If your password contains an '=' character, you can either escape it with a backslash (\) or remove it altogether. For example, if your password is 123=456, you can either escape it as 123\=456 or remove it as 123456. Then, use the modified password in the --ks-pass and --key-pass parameters. For example: apksigner sign --ks mykeystore.jks --ks-key-alias myalias --ks-pass pass:123\=456 --key-pass pass:123\=456 myapp.apk


or apksigner sign --ks mykeystore.jks --ks-key-alias myalias --ks-pass pass:123456 --key-pass pass:123456 myapp.apk





Step-by-Step Guide for Fixing the Error




To demonstrate how to fix the Unexpected parameter(s) after input APK (--key-pass) error, we will use a simple example of signing an APK using a new keystore file and password. We will assume that you have already created an APK file using Android Studio or another tool, and that you have installed the latest version of the Android SDK Build Tools. We will also assume that you are using Windows as your operating system, but the steps are similar for other platforms.


Here are the steps to follow:



Create a new keystore file with a simple password without '=' character. You can use the keytool tool to create a new keystore file with a self-signed certificate. To do so, open a command prompt or terminal window and navigate to the directory where you want to save your keystore file. Then, run the following command: keytool -genkey -v -keystore newkeystore.jks -alias newalias -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 10000


  • You will be prompted to enter some information for your certificate, such as your name, organization, and location. You will also be prompted to enter a password for your keystore file and your key. Make sure that your password does not contain an '=' character. For example, you can use newpass as your password.



Sign your APK using apksigner command with the new keystore file and password. You can use the apksigner tool to sign your APK with the new keystore file and password that you created in the previous step. To do so, open a command prompt or terminal window and navigate to the directory where your APK file and your keystore file are located. Then, run the following command: apksigner sign --ks newkeystore.jks --ks-key-alias newalias --ks-pass pass:newpass --key-pass pass:newpass myapp.apk


  • You should see a message saying that your APK has been signed successfully.



Verify the signature of your signed APK using apksigner command. You can use the apksigner tool to verify that your signed APK has a valid signature that will be accepted by all versions of Android supported by that APK. To do so, open a command prompt or terminal window and navigate to the directory where your signed APK file is located. Then, run the following command: apksigner verify --verbose myapp.apk


  • You should see a message saying that your APK has been verified successfully, along with some information about the signature scheme, signer certificate, and min/max SDK versions.



Conclusion




In this article, we have explained what is the Unexpected parameter(s) after input APK (--key-pass) error in Android Studio, what are its possible causes and solutions, and how to fix it using a step-by-step guide. We hope that this article has helped you understand and resolve this error and sign your app successfully.


If you want to learn more about APK signing and other related topics, you can check out these additional resources:



















FAQs




Here are some frequently asked questions and answers related to APK signing and the Unexpected parameter(s) after input APK (--key-pass) error:


What is apksigner and how does it work?




apksigner is a command-line tool that lets you sign APKs and confirm that their signature will be verified successfully on all versions of Android supported by that APK. It supports multiple signature schemes, such as v1 (JAR signing), v2 (APK Signature Scheme v2), v3 (APK Signature Scheme v3), and v4 (APK Signature Scheme v4). It also supports different types of keystores, such as JKS, PKCS12, or PEM.


apksigner works by taking an input APK file, a keystore file, and a key alias as parameters, and generating a signed APK file as output. It also verifies the signature of the signed APK file and provides information about the signer certificate, the signature scheme, and the min/max SDK versions.


What are the benefits of using Play App Signing?




Play App Signing is a service provided by Google Play that lets you securely manage your app signing keys and simplify your release process. When you enroll in Play App Signing, you upload your app signing key to Google Play and let Google Play sign your app on your behalf. You only need to sign your app with an upload key, which is a different key that you use to authenticate with Google Play.


Some of the benefits of using Play App Signing are:



  • You don't have to worry about losing or compromising your app signing key, as Google Play keeps it safe and secure.



  • You can use Google Play's infrastructure and expertise to optimize your app delivery and performance.



  • You can take advantage of new features and capabilities that require Play App Signing, such as Android App Bundle, Dynamic Delivery, and Instant Apps.



  • You can easily update or change your app signing key if needed, without affecting your existing users or app ratings.



How can I rotate my signing keys if they are compromised or outdated?




If you use Play App Signing, you can rotate your signing keys if they are compromised or outdated by contacting Google Play Developer Support. You will need to provide a new app signing key that meets the requirements for Play App Signing. Google Play will then switch to using your new app signing key for future updates of your app.


If you don't use Play App Signing, you can rotate your signing keys by creating a new keystore file with a new key alias and certificate, and signing your app with the new keystore file. However, this will result in a different signature for your app, which means that your existing users will not be able to update to the new version of your app. You will need to publish the new version of your app as a new app with a new package name.


How can I use different signers for different APKs or app bundles?




If you use Play App Signing, you can use different signers for different APKs or app bundles by using . Artifact dependencies let you specify which APKs or app bundles depend on which signers. For example, you can use one signer for your base APK or app bundle, and another signer for your configuration APKs or split APKs. This way, you can have more flexibility and control over your app signing process.


If you don't use Play App Signing, you can use different signers for different APKs or app bundles by using . APK sets let you group multiple APKs or app bundles into a single ZIP file that contains metadata about their dependencies. For example, you can use one signer for your base APK or app bundle, and another signer for your configuration APKs or split APKs. You can then upload the ZIP file to Google Play or another app store.


How can I troubleshoot other common errors related to APK signing?




If you encounter other common errors related to APK signing, such as No matching abis with runtime <abi>, No certificates found in <keystore>, No key with alias <key-alias> found in <keystore>, Password verification failed, Failed to load signer <signer>, Failed to parse signer <signer>, Failed to read key <key-alias> from <keystore>, Failed to read key <key-alias> from <keystore>, or Failed to sign using signer <signer>, you can try the following steps to troubleshoot them:



  • Check the spelling and case of your keystore file, key alias, password, and signer name. Make sure that they match exactly with what you entered in the apksigner command or the APK Signer Tool (GUI).



  • Check the format and extension of your keystore file. Make sure that it is a valid JKS, PKCS12, or PEM file, and that it has the correct extension (.jks, .p12, or .pem).



  • Check the compatibility and security of your keystore file, key alias, and certificate. Make sure that they meet the requirements for APK signing, such as key size, algorithm, validity period, and signature scheme.



  • Check the location and permissions of your keystore file, APK file, and output file. Make sure that they are accessible and writable by the apksigner tool or the APK Signer Tool (GUI).



  • Check the logs and error messages of the apksigner tool or the APK Signer Tool (GUI). They may provide more details and clues about the cause and solution of the error.



If none of these steps help you resolve the error, you can contact Google Play Developer Support or post a question on Stack Overflow or other online forums for further assistance. 44f88ac181


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