CORS issue on release build but not ionic run android

I have my ionic app using a remote API server for data.

I have installed cordova-plugin-whitelist

config.xml I have:
access origin="
allow-navigation href=”
"

When I run: ionic run android it installs the app on my device and it works fine I am able to access my api

When I do: cordova build --release android and run thru the steps I end up with a signed .apk if I do adb install my.apk it installs on the phone however I have the CORS issue.

My question is why does it work with ionic run android but not my release build .apk is there something I am missing when creating my release build?

Thanks in advance!