On Github, releases page (https://github.com/laurent22/joplin/releases), the main releases don’t have the akp file and the android releases only have source code (no apk as well).
I am unable to sync my data with the current version (1.0.312) and end up in an infinite sync decode loop every time. I know the previous version worked as I had tested it several times successfully so I need that version to continue using Joplin.
Okay to answer my own question (again). It looks like the apk files are actually there but the releases page has not been updated since release v1.8.5.
If you click on the 'Tags' button, it takes you to a page where you can download the apk files from the "Download" link.