How to deploy the app to Google Play Store?

This section describes the steps on how to deploy the issuer application to Google Play Store, including the critical part of application signing using the correct certificate.

Let's start with the basics on how to create an app release on Google Play Store.

Creating your app

1. Open the Play Console.

2. Select All apps > Create app.

3. Select a default language and add a title for your app. Type the name of your app as you want it to appear on Google Play Store. You can change the app name again later.

4. Specify whether your application is an app or a game. You can change the category again later.

5. Specify whether your application is free or paid.

6. Add an email address that Play Store users can use to contact you about this application.

7. Complete the “Content guidelines” and “US export laws” declarations.

8. Select Create app.

Setting up your app

After the app is created, you can continue with its setup.

Your app’s dashboard will guide you through all the important steps to get your app available on Google Play Store.

You can start by providing details about your app’s content, by entering information for your Google Play Store listing.

Subsequently, move to the app release where it will guide you through pre-release management, testing, and promotion to build pre-release excitement and awareness.

The final step is launching your app on Google Play Store to make the app available to end users.

Starting August 2021, new apps will be required to publish with the Android App Bundle on Google Play Store.

Uploading an app

1. Open the Play Console.

2. Select All apps > select app.

   You will be taken to the Dashboard page.

Play Console dashboard.

1. On the left-side menu, select Testing > Closed testing.

Closed testing menu

1. To create a new track, click Create track, enter the track name, and click create new release.

Create a track and a release

1. You can change the app signing preferences depending on whether you publish your app using the Android app bundle or APK.

App Bundle

You can change the app signing preferences to Export and upload a key from Java keystore. Follow the on-screen instructions to make the update.

App signing preference for an Android App Bundle

APK

1. Select the files to upload, depending whether you publish your app using the Android app bundle or APK.

App Bundle

Select the app bundle to upload. After a successful upload, you will see the following app bundle:

Uploaded Android App Bundle

APK

1. Enter the release name in Release details and click Save.

2. Click Review release, and you will see the release details on the next screen.

App Bundle

Review the Android App Bundle release

APK

1. Review your release and click Start rollout to Mybank wallet alpha.

Start the rollout

1. Your app is now waiting to be reviewed. After the review, the app can be tested.

Release status is “In review”