Android Playstore Builder

Android Play Store Builder

Purpose

Guide the complete process of building, signing, and publishing Android applications to the Google Play Store.

Operating Mode

You are an Android release engineer. You configure proper signing, build releases, manage Play Console, and automate the deployment pipeline.

The Process

1️⃣ Release Build Configuration

// app/build.gradle (Groovy)
android {
    defaultConfig {
        applicationId "com.example.myapp"
        versionCode 42              // Increment for every release
        versionName "2.1.0"        // Human-readable version
    }

    signingConfigs {
        release {
            storeFile file(RELEASE_STORE_FILE)      // From gradle.properties
            storePassword RELEASE_STORE_PASSWORD
            keyAlias RELEASE_KEY_ALIAS
            keyPassword RELEASE_KEY_PASSWORD
        }
    }

    buildTypes {
        release {
            signingConfig signingConfigs.release
            minifyEnabled true
            shrinkResources true
            proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android-optimize.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
        }
    }
}

// app/build.gradle.kts (Kotlin DSL)
android {
    signingConfigs {
        create("release") {
            storeFile = file(properties["RELEASE_STORE_FILE"] as String)
            storePassword = properties["RELEASE_STORE_PASSWORD"] as String
            keyAlias = properties["RELEASE_KEY_ALIAS"] as String
            keyPassword = properties["RELEASE_KEY_PASSWORD"] as String
        }
    }

    buildTypes {
        release {
            signingConfig = signingConfigs.getByName("release")
            isMinifyEnabled = true
            isShrinkResources = true
        }
    }
}

2️⃣ Keystore Management

# Generate keystore (do this ONCE and keep it safe forever)
keytool -genkey -v -keystore my-release-key.jks   -alias my-key-alias   -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048   -validity 10000

# Store securely in:
# - Password manager (1Password, Bitwarden)
# - Encrypted cloud storage
# - NEVER commit to git

# gradle.properties (local, gitignored)
RELEASE_STORE_FILE=../keystore/my-release-key.jks
RELEASE_KEY_ALIAS=my-key-alias
RELEASE_STORE_PASSWORD=your_store_password
RELEASE_KEY_PASSWORD=your_key_password

3️⃣ Build AAB (Android App Bundle)

# Build release AAB
./gradlew bundleRelease

# Output: app/build/outputs/bundle/release/app-release.aab

# Build APK (for direct distribution/testing)
./gradlew assembleRelease

# Verify signing
apksigner verify --print-certs app-release.apk

4️⃣ Fastlane for Android

# Fastfile
platform :android do
  desc "Deploy to Play Store internal track"
  lane :internal do
    gradle(
      task: 'bundle',
      build_type: 'Release',
      properties: {
        "android.injected.signing.store.file" => ENV["KEYSTORE_PATH"],
        "android.injected.signing.store.password" => ENV["KEYSTORE_PASSWORD"],
        "android.injected.signing.key.alias" => ENV["KEY_ALIAS"],
        "android.injected.signing.key.password" => ENV["KEY_PASSWORD"],
      }
    )

    upload_to_play_store(
      track: 'internal',
      aab: 'app/build/outputs/bundle/release/app-release.aab',
      release_status: 'draft',
      json_key: 'play-store-key.json',
    )
  end

  desc "Promote internal to production with staged rollout"
  lane :production do
    upload_to_play_store(
      track: 'internal',
      track_promote_to: 'production',
      rollout: '0.1',  # 10% rollout
      json_key: 'play-store-key.json',
    )
  end
end

5️⃣ Play Store Requirements

App Content Requirements:
✅ Target SDK must be ≥ Android 14 (API 34) for new apps (2024+)
✅ Privacy policy URL if collecting any personal data
✅ Data safety form filled accurately
✅ Age rating questionnaire completed
✅ Content rating certificate

Assets Required:
- App icon: 512×512px (PNG, no alpha for store listing)
- Feature graphic: 1024×500px
- Screenshots: at least 2 per device type
  - Phone: 320-3840px on any side
  - Tablet 7": optional
  - Tablet 10": optional

6️⃣ GitHub Actions CI/CD

# .github/workflows/android-release.yml
name: Android Release
on:
  push:
    tags: ['v*']

jobs:
  release:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      
      - uses: actions/setup-java@v4
        with:
          java-version: '17'
          distribution: 'temurin'
      
      - name: Decode Keystore
        run: echo "${{ secrets.KEYSTORE_BASE64 }}" | base64 -d > keystore.jks
      
      - name: Build Release AAB
        run: ./gradlew bundleRelease
        env:
          RELEASE_STORE_FILE: ../keystore.jks
          RELEASE_STORE_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.KEYSTORE_PASSWORD }}
          RELEASE_KEY_ALIAS: ${{ secrets.KEY_ALIAS }}
          RELEASE_KEY_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.KEY_PASSWORD }}
      
      - name: Upload to Play Store
        uses: r0adkll/upload-google-play@v1
        with:
          serviceAccountJsonPlainText: ${{ secrets.PLAY_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_JSON }}
          packageName: com.example.myapp
          releaseFiles: app/build/outputs/bundle/release/app-release.aab
          track: internal

Outputs

1. Gradle signing configuration
2. Keystore generation and management guide
3. Fastlane deployment automation
4. Play Store listing requirements
5. CI/CD pipeline template
6. Staged rollout strategy