It is faster than dx and creates smaller DEX files, contributing to smaller APK sizes.
If you trust the official Maven repository, here’s a direct pattern: d8.jar download
The JAR moved between Build-Tools versions. In older versions (≤ 28.0.0), D8 was still experimental. Use Build-Tools 29.0.0 or higher. Also look inside: It is faster than dx and creates smaller
One of D8's main features is "desugaring"—allowing you to use Java 8+ language features (like Lambdas) on older Android versions. D8 handles this automatically if the class files are compiled with Java 8 compatibility. d8.jar download
D8 is typically not distributed as a standalone, easily clickable download. It is bundled within the Android SDK or the R8 project.
