Android Build Crash by add "com.google.gms.google-services" in the build.gradle.kts

Kao14 · August 19, 2025, 7:50pm

I Changed my Native Android Build Process to the newest (Corona-3721)
Everything looks fine so far, but.

I use:
Android Studio Narwhal Feature Drop | 2025.1.2

compileSdk = 34
defaultConfig {
    applicationId = coronaAppPackage
    targetSdk = 34
    minSdk = (extra["minSdkVersion"] as Int)
    versionCode = coronaVersionCode
    versionName = coronaVersionName
    multiDexEnabled = true
}

When I add in this File:
“source/android/app/build.gradle.kts”

plugins {
id(“com.android.application”)
id(“com.google.gms.google-services”) ← This Line
}

(its needed in my Project, it works with the old implemenation)

Than Happens the follow Build Issue with all Assets (png, mp3 …)

AGPBI: {"kind":"error","text":"Duplicate resources","sources":[{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/slide_small_3.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/slide_small_3.mp3"}},{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/slide_small_3.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/slide_small_3.mp3"}}],"tool":"Resource and asset merger"}
AGPBI: {"kind":"error","text":"Duplicate resources","sources":[{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/slide_small_1.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/slide_small_1.mp3"}},{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/slide_small_1.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/slide_small_1.mp3"}}],"tool":"Resource and asset merger"}
AGPBI: {"kind":"error","text":"Duplicate resources","sources":[{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/buy_game_sheet.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/buy_game_sheet.mp3"}},{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/buy_game_sheet.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/buy_game_sheet.mp3"}}],"tool":"Resource and asset merger"}
AGPBI: {"kind":"error","text":"Duplicate resources","sources":[{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/rf_notification.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/rf_notification.mp3"}},{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/rf_notification.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/rf_notification.mp3"}}],"tool":"Resource and asset merger"}
AGPBI: {"kind":"error","text":"Duplicate resources","sources":[{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/slide_small_4.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/slide_small_4.mp3"}},{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/slide_small_4.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/slide_small_4.mp3"}}],"tool":"Resource and asset merger"}
AGPBI: {"kind":"error","text":"Duplicate resources","sources":[{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/pop_1_low.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/pop_1_low.mp3"}},{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/pop_1_low.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/pop_1_low.mp3"}}],"tool":"Resource and asset merger"}
AGPBI: {"kind":"error","text":"Duplicate resources","sources":[{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/rf_game_finished.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/rf_game_finished.mp3"}},{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/rf_game_finished.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/rf_game_finished.mp3"}}],"tool":"Resource and asset merger"}
AGPBI: {"kind":"error","text":"Duplicate resources","sources":[{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/challenge_task_fade_in.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/challenge_task_fade_in.mp3"}},{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/challenge_task_fade_in.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/challenge_task_fade_in.mp3"}}],"tool":"Resource and asset merger"}
AGPBI: {"kind":"error","text":"Duplicate resources","sources":[{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/woosh_out.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/woosh_out.mp3"}},{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/woosh_out.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/woosh_out.mp3"}}],"tool":"Resource and asset merger"}
AGPBI: {"kind":"error","text":"Duplicate resources","sources":[{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/correct_1.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/correct_1.mp3"}},{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/correct_1.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/correct_1.mp3"}}],"tool":"Resource and asset merger"}
AGPBI: {"kind":"error","text":"Duplicate resources","sources":[{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/button_1.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/button_1.mp3"}},{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/button_1.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/button_1.mp3"}}],"tool":"Resource and asset merger"}
AGPBI: {"kind":"error","text":"Duplicate resources","sources":[{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/purchase_finished.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/purchase_finished.mp3"}},{"file":{"description":"assets/sounds/purchase_finished.mp3","path":"/Users/MyNAME/Documents/spell-quiz/source/android/app/build/generated/corona_assets/debug/assets/sounds/purchase_finished.mp3"}}],"tool":"Resource and asset merger"}

Kao14 · September 23, 2025, 5:46pm

Problem Summary: I’ve been using Solar2D’s Android build template successfully for 2+ years. Recently updated to the newest Android Build Template and now encountering critical duplicate resource errors when adding the Google Services plugin.

Test - Source-Code:
source_build_test.zip (1.5 MB)

What Works:

Old Template (2+ years ago): Everything builds perfectly with Google Services plugin
New Template WITHOUT Google Services: Builds successfully

What Fails:

New Template WITH Google Services plugin: Duplicate resource errors

Build Configuration:

kotlin

plugins {
    id("com.android.application")
    id("com.google.gms.google-services")  // ← This causes the issue
}

Kao14 · September 25, 2025, 3:57pm

Thanks to Claude

Now the app is building and working.

I need to integrate this plugins to my project, because i have additional native functions.

/android/app/build.gradle.kts

plugins {
    id("com.android.application")
    id("org.jetbrains.kotlin.android")
    id("com.google.gms.google-services") 
    id("com.google.firebase.crashlytics")   
    id("com.google.firebase.firebase-perf")   
}

Fixed File Example:

build.gradle.kts (46.7 KB)

Added a Issue in Git-Hub

github.com/coronalabs/corona

Android Native Build and com.google.gms.google-services + Solution

opened 04:07PM - 25 Sep 25 UTC

KaiKoeh

Native Android Build, it will not building when this Plugin added: Used Android… Build Template from Corona-3723 build.gradle.kts: ``` plugins { id("com.android.application") id("com.google.gms.google-services") // ← This causes the issue } ``` The build will thrown: ``` Task :app:mergeDebugAssets FAILED AGPBI: {"kind":"error","text":"Duplicate resources","sources":[...]} ``` > Fixed File Example: [build.gradle.kts.zip](https://github.com/user-attachments/files/22540781/build.gradle.kts.zip) > The more detailed info & solution is here: [Forum Thread](https://forums.solar2d.com/t/android-build-crash-by-add-com-google-gms-google-services-in-the-build-gradle-kts/357523/4?u=kao14) Additional INFO: // ============================================================================ // GOOGLE-SERVICES PLUGIN FIX - DUPLICATE RESOURCES WORKAROUND // ============================================================================ // // PROBLEM: The google-services plugin causes "Duplicate resources" build errors // when integrated with Solar2D/Corona SDK Native Android builds. // // ROOT CAUSE: The google-services plugin scans all registered asset directories // during its processing phase. Since Solar2D registers the Corona assets directory // using srcDirs(), it gets registered twice, causing duplicate resource errors. // // CHANGES MADE TO FIX THIS ISSUE: // // 1. LINE ~264 - coronaAssetsCopySpec() function: // Added excludes for iOS-specific files that shouldn't be in Android builds: // - Icon.png (iOS App Icon) // - Images.xcassets/** (iOS App Icons) // - LaunchScreen.storyboardc/** (iOS Launch Screen) // - google-services.json (processed by google-services plugin) // // 2. LINE ~351-364 - android.applicationVariants.all block: // CRITICAL CHANGES: // a) REMOVED: android.sourceSets[name].assets.srcDirs(generatedAssetsDir) // This line caused the duplicate registration with google-services plugin // // b) ADDED: doLast block in mergeAssetsProvider.configure // Manually copies assets AFTER the merge process completes // This prevents double-registration by google-services plugin // // c) ADDED: mustRunAfter for google-services task ordering // Ensures google-services runs after Corona assets are ready // // RESULT: // ✅ Build succeeds with google-services plugin enabled // ✅ Firebase services work correctly // ✅ No duplicate resource errors // ✅ resource.car and all Corona assets properly included in APK // ✅ App runs without crashes // // Compatible with: // - com.google.gms.google-services // - com.google.firebase.crashlytics // - com.google.firebase.firebase-perf // - All other Firebase plugins // // For more details, see Solar2D forum post about this fix. // ============================================================================

Solar2D/Corona SDK: Fixing “Duplicate Resources” Error with google-services Plugin

Problem Summary

When integrating the Google Services Plugin (com.google.gms.google-services) into a Solar2D/Corona SDK Native Android build, the build fails with duplicate resource errors for all assets, particularly:

resource.car (compiled Lua archive)
iOS-specific files (Icon.png, Images.xcassets, LaunchScreen.storyboardc)
All Corona assets in the generated assets directory

Error Message:

> Task :app:mergeDebugAssets FAILED
AGPBI: {"kind":"error","text":"Duplicate resources","sources":[...]}

Build Environment:

Solar2D/Corona SDK Native Android
Android Gradle Plugin: 8.5.1
Google Services Plugin: 4.3.15+
Gradle: 8.7+

Root Cause

The issue occurs because Solar2D’s build system registers the Corona assets directory using:

kotlin

android.sourceSets[name].assets.srcDirs(generatedAssetsDir)

The google-services plugin scans all registered asset source directories during its processing phase. Since the same directory is already part of the asset merge pipeline, it gets registered twice, causing duplicate resource errors.

Additionally, iOS-specific assets that shouldn’t be in Android builds were not being excluded, adding to the duplicate warnings.

Solution

1. Exclude iOS-Specific Assets

In the coronaAssetsCopySpec function, add excludes for iOS files:

kotlin

fun coronaAssetsCopySpec(spec: CopySpec) {
    with(spec) {
        // ... existing excludes ...
        
        // ✅ Exclude iOS-specific assets (not needed for Android)
        exclude("Icon.png")                      // iOS App Icon
        exclude("Images.xcassets/**")            // iOS App Icons
        exclude("LaunchScreen.storyboardc/**")   // iOS Launch Screen
        exclude("google-services.json")          // Handled by google-services plugin
        
        // ... rest of function ...
    }
}

2. Replace srcDirs Registration with Manual Asset Copy

Replace the asset registration code in android.applicationVariants.all:

BEFORE (causes duplicates):

kotlin

android.applicationVariants.all {
    // ... taskCopyResources definition ...
    
    mergeAssetsProvider!!.configure {
        dependsOn(taskCopyResources)
    }
    
    // ❌ This causes duplicate resources with google-services plugin
    android.sourceSets[name].assets.srcDirs(generatedAssetsDir)
    
    // ...
}

AFTER (working solution):

kotlin

android.applicationVariants.all {
    // ... taskCopyResources definition ...
    
    mergeAssetsProvider!!.configure {
        dependsOn(taskCopyResources)
        
        // ✅ Copy assets AFTER the merge process
        // This prevents google-services plugin from double-registering the assets
        doLast {
            copy {
                from(generatedAssetsDir)
                into(outputDir.get().asFile)
                duplicatesStrategy = DuplicatesStrategy.INCLUDE
            }
        }
    }
    
    // ❌ DO NOT use srcDirs - causes duplicate resources with google-services
    // android.sourceSets[name].assets.srcDirs(generatedAssetsDir)
    
    // Ensure google-services runs AFTER Corona assets are ready
    tasks.findByName("process${baseNameCapitalized}GoogleServices")?.mustRunAfter(taskCopyResources)
    
    // ...
}

Why This Works

Removes duplicate registration: By not using srcDirs(), we prevent the asset directory from being scanned twice by the google-services plugin
Manual asset integration: The doLast block copies assets directly into the merge task’s output directory after all plugin processing is complete
Task ordering: mustRunAfter ensures google-services processes its files before our assets are finalized
iOS asset exclusion: Prevents unnecessary duplicate warnings for platform-specific files

Testing

After implementing this solution:

Build succeeds with google-services plugin enabled
Firebase services work correctly
No duplicate resource errors
resource.car and all Corona assets are properly included in the APK
App runs without crashes

Compatible Plugins

This solution works with:

com.google.gms.google-services
com.google.firebase.crashlytics
com.google.firebase.firebase-perf
All other Firebase plugins

For Solar2D Team

This appears to be a fundamental incompatibility between Solar2D’s asset management and modern Android Gradle plugins that scan asset directories. Consider:

Updating the official Android build template with this fix
Documenting this workaround in the Native Android build documentation
Investigating whether this can be fixed in the core build system

Related Information

Google Services Plugin: The Google Services Gradle Plugin | Google Play services | Google for Developers
Android Asset Merger: Add build dependencies | Android Studio | Android Developers