There is a new compilation step that happens after the code is parsed:
B4A Version: 8.50 BETA #1
Parsing code. (0.05s)
Building folders structure. (0.04s) <-------
Running custom action. (0.03s)
Compiling code. (0.27s)
Compiling layouts code. (0.00s)
Organizing libraries. (0.00s)
Generating R file. (0.39s)
Compiling debugger engine code. (2.08s)
Compiling generated Java code. (2.30s)
Convert byte code - optimized dex. (2.59s)
Packaging files. (0.17s)
Copying libraries resources (0.01s)
Found 1 resource files.
Signing package file (private key). (0.73s)
ZipAlign file. (0.05s)
Installing file to device. (0.02s)
Installing with B4A-Bridge.
Completed successfully.
This step was added to B4J and b4i as well. This is the point where you can copy files to the Files folder with a custom build action.
All the examples from XUI2D examples pack include this line in the Game class:
#CustomBuildAction: folders ready, %WINDIR%\System32\Robocopy.exe,"..\..\Shared Files" "..\Files"
This way all game files (except of the layouts) are updated automatically. See the tutorial for more information:
https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/xui2d-cross-platform-tips.96815/#content