Why does Godot say the Android export template is missing?

Either the templates for your exact Godot version aren't installed, the templates folder path is wrong in Editor Settings, or you've enabled Use Gradle Build but haven't installed the Android build template into your project.

How do I install Godot Android templates?

Editor → Manage Export Templates → Download and Install. The version must match your editor exactly (4.3.1 templates fail with a 4.3.2 editor). For custom Gradle builds, also click Project → Install Android Build Template.

Do I need a debug keystore?

Yes for Android. Editor Settings → Export → Android → Debug Keystore points at debug.keystore. Generate one with keytool if you don't have it. The keystore path must be absolute; relative paths fail.

Fix: Godot 4 Export Template Missing for Android Debug

Quick answer: Editor → Manage Export Templates → Download & Install for the exact editor version. Generate a debug keystore with keytool. If using Use Gradle Build, run Project → Install Android Build Template once per project.

Godot stops the export with “export template not found” or builds for ten seconds and then fails with a Gradle error pointing at a missing template directory. Three different settings can produce the same error.

The Symptom

Project → Export → Android → Export Project. Either the dialog refuses to start with “Template missing,” or it runs Gradle and fails partway through with a path-not-found error referencing the templates folder.

The Three Causes

Cause 1: Templates not installed for this exact version. Editor 4.3.2 needs 4.3.2 templates. A 4.3.1 set won’t work. Templates download as a single archive of the matching binary blobs.

Cause 2: Custom path mismatch. Editor Settings → Export → Android lists paths to ADB, JDK, and the Android SDK. If any are blank or wrong, even a working template fails to package.

Cause 3: Gradle build template not installed in project. If your export preset has Use Gradle Build = true (recommended for plugins, custom Android extensions, or AAB output), the editor expects an android/build/ folder inside the project. Without it, exports fail.

The Fix

Step 1: Install editor templates. Editor menu → Manage Export Templates. The dialog shows installed and missing versions. Click Download & Install for your editor version. Wait; the archive is ~600 MB.

Step 2: Install the Android Build Template into the project (Gradle path only). Project menu → Install Android Build Template. This unpacks into res://android/build/. You only do this once per project; commit the folder.

Step 3: Configure paths. Editor Settings → Export → Android:

Android SDK Path:    /Users/you/Library/Android/sdk
Java SDK Path:       /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-17.jdk/Contents/Home
Debug Keystore:      /Users/you/.android/debug.keystore
Debug Keystore User: androiddebugkey
Debug Keystore Pass: android

Step 4: Generate a debug keystore (if missing).

keytool -genkey -v -keystore debug.keystore \
        -storepass android -alias androiddebugkey \
        -keypass android -dname "CN=Android Debug,O=Android,C=US" \
        -keyalg RSA -validity 10000

Move the resulting file somewhere stable (~/.android is conventional) and point the editor setting at the absolute path.

One-Click Verification

Project → Export. Pick your Android preset. Click the “Manage Export Templates” gear if anything is red. The dialog tells you in plain English which file or path is missing.

Custom Modules & Plugins

If you build Godot from source with extra modules, you also have to build matching Android templates with the same modules. The official template archive only includes stock modules. scons platform=android target=template_debug arch=arm64 from the source tree produces the matching APK template.

AAB Output for Play Store

The Play Store requires AAB, not APK. With Gradle Build template installed, your preset has an AAB option in the export dropdown. Without it, only APK is available. AAB also requires a release keystore separate from the debug one.

“Editor templates for the right version. Build template into the project for Gradle. Keystore on absolute path. Builds.”

Related Issues

For iOS export issues, see Godot iOS export. For desktop export missing libs, see Windows template.

Templates. Build template. Keystore. Build runs.