Containerizing and Building Android Apps in Network Isolation
Abstract
Containerizing and Building Android Apps in Network Isolation
Incoming article date: 23.12.2025This article addresses the challenge of building Android applications within secure, network-isolated environments where no direct internet connection is available. The primary objective is to develop a reliable method for the continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) of Android artifacts under these constraints. The proposed solution methodologically integrates Docker containerization to ensure a standardized build environment with the Nexus Repository Manager for creating a comprehensive local mirror of all external dependencies, such as those from Google Maven. This local repository cache is then made accessible inside the isolated network via a configured nginx proxy server. The implemented system successfully enables a complete and automated Android build pipeline, entirely eliminating the need for external access during compilation. The results demonstrate significant enhancements in security by mitigating risks associated with public repositories, while also ensuring build stability, reproducibility, and protection against upstream outages. In conclusion, this approach provides a practical and robust framework for secure mobile application development in high-security or restricted corporate network infrastructures.
Keywords: docker, containerization, android, flutter, ci/cd, nginx, proxying, network isolation, application building.