The Developer’s Guide to Lightning-Fast Android Builds

Speed up Android builds and save hours every single week.

If I had a rupee for every minute I waited on a Gradle build… 

I’d probably own Android Studio by now 😅

You tweak one thing… hit build… and there goes your coffee break (and focus). We’ve all been there. But you don’t have to stay there.

In this article, I’m breaking down real, actionable tips that helped me speed up my builds from painful to powerful — and no, you don’t need to change your entire stack.

Why Android Builds Are So Slow

Before we fix it, let’s admit it:

• Android projects can grow fast and get messy
• Build.gradle files pile up with unnecessary dependencies
• Misconfigured build settings lead to longer compile times
• Every time you hit “Build”, you’re losing momentum

Small inefficiencies add up. But so do small wins.

 1. Use buildFeatures { viewBinding true } Wisely

ViewBinding is great, but enabling everything can slow you down.

• Only enable the features you actually need.
• The less your build has to process, the better.

2. Enable Gradle Build Caching

This one is a game-changer.

In your gradle.properties, add:

org.gradle.caching=true        

• Gradle will reuse outputs from previous builds when possible = massive speedup.
• You can read more about the build cache here

3. Disable Unused ABI Splits

If you’re not targeting every possible CPU type, remove this overhead:

splits {
  abi {
    enable false
  }
}        

• Most devs leave it on by default — not realizing it’s making things heavier.

4. Avoid implementation project(':shared') Unless Necessary

Too many module dependencies = more build time.

❌ Avoid deep module nesting. ✅ Prefer libraries or external modules when possible.

5. Switch to Gradle Configuration on Demand

In gradle.properties:

org.gradle.configureondemand=true        

This builds only what’s needed, not the whole tree.

Read more about it here

6. Use Instant Run with Caution

Yes, it feels fast. But it’s not always real. Sometimes, it doesn’t apply changes properly, leading to longer debug cycles.

Use it only when you’re doing minor UI tweaks.

Read more about it here

Final Thought

A faster build isn’t just about saving time — it’s about staying in flow. You think clearly, you ship faster, and honestly… You enjoy coding more.

Try even 2–3 of these tips, and you’ll feel the difference.

Note for Readers

What’s your current Android build time looking like? Tried any of these tips already — or got one of your own? 

Drop it below 👇 and let’s make Android dev less painful, together!

If you like reading my articles, you can always support my writings by buying me a cup of coffee here ☕️ . 

Let me take the hot sip and enjoy 😉

At Dev Simplified, We Value Your Feedback 📊

👉 Want to write with us? Join us on our whatsapp channel

👉 Have any suggestions? Let us know in the comments!

👉 Subscribe for free and join our growing community!