Execution failed for task ‘:CordovaLib:processDebugResources’. > com.android.ide.common.process.ProcessException: Failed to execute aapt

The error message “Execution failed for task ‘:CordovaLib:processDebugResources’. com.android.ide.common.process.ProcessException: Failed to execute aapt” suggests that there was a problem during the resource processing phase of building an Android application using Cordova. Specifically, the Android Asset Packaging Tool (aapt) encountered an issue, which caused the build process to fail.

Solution:
To resolve this issue, you can follow these steps:

1. Check Android SDK Installation:

• Ensure that you have the Android SDK installed and configured correctly. Make sure that the necessary build tools and platform tools are installed and up to date.

1. Check Dependencies:

• Review the dependencies and plugins in your Cordova project. Sometimes, conflicts or outdated dependencies can lead to resource processing errors.

1. Update Gradle Version:

• If you are using Gradle as the build system for your Cordova project, ensure that you have a compatible version of Gradle specified in your project configuration. Updating Gradle to a compatible version might help resolve the issue. Example build.gradle configuration:

   dependencies {
       classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:4.2.2' // Use a compatible version
   }

4. Check Resource Files:

• Review your project’s resource files (e.g., XML layout files, images, and values) for any errors or inconsistencies. Ensure that there are no naming conflicts or invalid resource references.

4. Clean and Rebuild:

• Try cleaning your project and then rebuilding it. This can sometimes resolve issues related to cached resources. To clean your project, run:

   ./gradlew clean

To rebuild your project, run:

   ./gradlew build

6. Check Gradle Properties:

• Review the gradle.properties file in your Cordova project directory. Ensure that there are no conflicting configurations or properties that might interfere with the build process.

6. Increase Heap Memory:

• Sometimes, resource processing tasks require more memory than allocated by default. You can increase the heap memory allocated to Gradle by modifying the gradle.properties file. Example gradle.properties modification:

   org.gradle.jvmargs=-Xmx2048m

8. Update Cordova and Plugins:

• Ensure that you are using the latest version of Cordova and all the plugins in your project. Outdated versions may have compatibility issues with newer Android SDK versions.

8. Review Custom Resources:

• If you have added custom resources or assets to your project, double-check them for any errors, such as incorrect file formats or file paths.

8. Check Environment Variables:
   • Ensure that your environment variables (e.g., ANDROID_HOME and JAVA_HOME) are set correctly. These variables are crucial for the Android build process.

After following these steps and addressing any specific issues you encounter, try building your Cordova project again. If the problem persists, carefully review the error message details and any associated stack traces for more specific information about the aapt failure, as it may provide additional clues for resolution.