Enable Multidex for Android in Ionic framework

Question

Is there a way to set enable multidex (https://github.com/casidiablo/multidex) for Android if I build apps using Ionic Framework ?

Answer 1

For those still having this issue, I've fixed it by installing cordova-plugin-multidex

cordova plugin add cordova-plugin-enable-multidex

Check it out: Multidex for Cordova

Answer 2

There is a plugin that enables multidex. To install it, run:

cordova plugin add --save https://github.com/jwall149/cordova-multidex

And try building again. The build may take a little longer than usual, but your app should compile without troubles.

Answer 3

For people using androidx and cordova-android: 8 is interested in this solution, I created a fork that supports the file structure and class names of these new versions. Also works with Ionic.

cordova plugin add --save https://github.com/c00/cordova-multidex

Note that this is only relevant if you are still supporting a minSdk less than 21. At 21, multidexing is no longer needed as there is some built-in fix for it. So in that case, just remove the multidex plugin (if you had it) and things should work.

Answer 4

To fix this —

Install couple of androidx plugins to solve the issue. So simply run the following commands in your project root:

Add plugin to enable AndroidX in the project

1. ionic cordova plugin add cordova-plugin-androidx

2. Add plugin to patch existing plugin source that uses the Android Support Library to use AndroidX

ionic cordova plugin add cordova-plugin-androidx-adapter

3. Now run the following commands in your project root:

cordova clean
ionic cordova build android

https://medium.com/@AnkitMaheshwariIn/ionic-android-error-while-merging-dex-archives-unable-to-merge-dex-in-ionic-3f6272899aab

Answer 5

Try this

cordova plugin add --save https://github.com/jwall149/cordova-multidex