Android application (APK) files contain executable bytecode files in the form of Dalvik Executable (DEX) files, which contain the compiled code used to run your app. The Dalvik Executable specification limits the total number of methods
that can be referenced within a single DEX file to 65,536 - including Android framework methods, library methods, and methods in your own code.
In the context of computer science, the term Kilo/K, denotes 1024 (or 2^10). Because 65,536 is equal to 64 X 1024, this limit is referred to as the '64K reference(methods) limit'.
When your application and the libraries it references(methods) reach a certain size, you encounter build errors that indicate your app has reached a limit of the Android app build architecture.
In That case we go for Multidex Features. Multidex support prior to Android 5.0. Note that if you are using instant run, then after enabling multidex feature you can not use instant run feature below API level 20.
Configuring Your App for Multidex with Gradle.
- Change your Gradle build configuration to enable multidex
android {
compileSdkVersion 21
buildToolsVersion "21.1.0"
defaultConfig {
...
minSdkVersion 14
targetSdkVersion 21
...
// Enabling multidex support.
multiDexEnabled true
}
...
}
dependencies {
compile 'com.android.support:multidex:1.0.0'
}
- Modify your manifest.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
package="com.example.android.multidex.myapplication">
<application
...
android:name="android.support.multidex.MultiDexApplication">
...
</application>
</manifest>
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