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Deploying an Android app in Google Play

Twixl Support Team Updated: - Created :

    IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT GOOGLE PLAY APP SIGNING

    Read this important information about Google Play App Signing here, before you start uploading apps to Google Play.

    1. Requirements for Android apps

    2. Uploading to Google Play

    Uploading to Google Play is very straightforward. When you create an Android build, Twixl Publisher will generate two app files, one with extension .apk. and a second one with extension .aab (Android App Bundle).

    .apk : this is the original extension that will become deprecated as of August 2021 for new apps, and November 2021 for updates of existing apps.

    .aab : this is the new format that will be required as of August 2021 for new apps, and November 2021 for updates of existing apps.

    We recommend you move to the Android App Bundle with your next update.

    .apk remains the format that you can use for sideloading an app on an Android device, or for in-house distribution.

    2.1. Creating a new application

    Creating a new app

    When you login to your Android Developer Account, select ‘Create Application‘.

    2.2. Create New Release

    Create new release

    In the sidebar, under 'Release', select 'Production', then click 'Create New Release'.

    Now you can upload your .aab (or .apk) file.

    3. Add artwork

    When the file has been uploaded, you should also upload your artwork.

    Check the latest Google Play requirements and guide for artwork here.

    The final steps to deploy your application to Google Play are: click ‘Publish‘ and ‘Activate‘ your application. It can take a couple of hours before your app will become available in the Google Play store. 

    4. Android Keystore

    For more details about the Android Keystore, please check this article. If you are migrating your app from another platform, check out this paragraph specifically.

    Note that Google Play might return a warning about cleartext traffic in the Pre-launch Report. Although we recommend to always use https, Google still allows http-requests but warns you about this only at this point. While we are aware this might change in the future, it is important you prepare to only use secure https links. For the time being, however, you can continue deploying your app in Google Play.

    5. Advertising ID

    Google is constantly changing the security approach during the upload process. Currently they ask for apps if they use advertising ID.

    Here we advise to answer 'Yes' and indicate 'App functionality' and 'Analytics' in the list of options.