BBC2APK

Android Application Generator

BBC2APK is a free software tool (for running on Windows) which can create an Android Application (APK file) from a BBC BASIC program (BBC file). Its main features are as follows:

Creates a signed Android application (5.0 Lollipop or later) suitable for direct download.
Needs only Windows (Vista or later) and Java to run.
Incorporates a custom splash screen and icon.
Supports embedded resource files and libraries.
Supports a custom manifest (for example to force a specific orientation or to request a permission).

BBC2APK is freeware: you can download it from here (the file is digitally signed to give you confidence that it is perfectly safe to run):

Download bbc2apk.exe 23.2 Mb)

Create a suitable directory (e.g. C:\Program Files (x86)\BBC2APK\) and save the file there. You will need administrative privileges to save the file and when you execute it for the first time (in Windows™ Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 10 with UAC enabled use 'Run as administrator'); however it can be run from a normal user account thereafter. You may also need to run it with admin privileges if your Java installation has been updated.

You should, of course, thoroughly test your program using the Android edition of BBC BASIC for SDL 2.0 before creating an APK, to ensure that it is fully functional and compatible with Android.

Version Date Modification details

v1.18 05-Nov-2026 apktool.jar updated to version 2.11.0.

v1.16 22-Mar-2026 Searches the registry for both JRE and JDK (Java Development Kit).

v1.15 26-Sep-2024 Updated Java Runtime to version 1.8.0_421.

v1.14 14-Mar-2024 Fixed crunching TOP; improved manifest handling.

v1.13 10-Feb-2024 Improved error reporting.

v1.12 09-Feb-2023 Updated to be compatible with BBCSDL v1.34a and later.

v1.11 21-Jan-2023 Fixed bug in cruncher.

v1.10 18-Jan-2023 Changed from using the BB4W cruncher to the BBCSDL cruncher.

v1.08 07-Dec-2022 Updated to support including a 64-bit binary.

v1.07 13-Nov-2022 Updated Java Runtime to version 1.8.0_351.

v1.06 27-Jan-2022 Downloads APK template file from new location.

v1.05 05-Jun-2020 Works with both 32-bit and 64-bit Java, automatic reminder to download a new APK template.

v1.04 03-Apr-2020 192 x 192 pixel icon added.

v1.03 08-Dec-2019 keytool.exe updated to later version of Java.

v1.01 01-Oct-2018 Checks both HKLM and HKCU registry hives for Java Runtime Environment.

v1.00 31-May-2018 Initial public release.

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