Generate APK with files (json) in Unity 3D

I have a question about my project, to put it in context I have .json files in the Assets folder, although I think they should be in Resources. The thing is that when I test my project on the Oculus, reading the files works, but when I generate the apk and run the game, it no longer reads the files.

At first I thought that it changed the path inside the apk but when I unpacked the apk I didn't find the .json or if it was converted into another type of file. I am new to 3D and Unity I hope your understanding.

Unity will only compile things into your final build that are referenced, such as Textures being used in Materials, Scripts (MonoBehaviours) that are attached to GameObjects within scenes, etc.

Your hunch on using the Resources directory was correct. If you want to pass along files that aren't / can't be referenced by Unity, then you need to put these files into the Assets/Resources directory. Then you can read the files using the Resources.Load() method (or a different method in the Resources class).

The reason why it worked while testing using the Unity Editor, is because it doesn't simulate which resources do- and do not get passed onto your build, so it'll always use all the files that are in your project.

Edit: The Unity documentation also recommends to use the Addressables package if your Resources directory gets too bloated, so you can also see the Addressables package as a potential solution to your problem.