Use the build settings wizard to go through the process step by step
When creating an app build for the first time, a configuration wizard will walk you through the different steps and options of the build process. Once you saved that setting, you will be able to re-use it later for generating an update of that app.
Below is an overview of the different steps involved for creating a single-issue Android app.
Usually the build setting name will refer to the publication name.
Here you can select the type of app you wish to build:
Single Issue
This will generate a standalone app that contains the contents for a single issue of your publication. When creating an update of this app, all existing contents will be replaced by the new version. Android apps can then be submitted to Google Play.
3.1. General
Application name
This is the name users will see on the home screen of the device.
Build for
Choose whether you want an app that supports Tablets, Phones, or both.
3.2. UI Language
Here you can select the languages your app will support - alerts and error messages in your app will then be displayed in the system language specified on the device.
3.3. App Store Rating
If you want to prompt the reader to rate your app on the app store, you need to check this option.
4.1. App Icon
The app icon that will be displayed in the Home Screen of the device. Should have a size of 1024x1024 pixels.
4.2. Startup Screens for Tablets
These screens will be displayed while the app is starting up (if you do not select any images, the default ones will be used). They need to have the following dimensions:
- Android Portrait: 800 x 1232 pixels
- Android Landscape: 1280 x 752 pixels
4.3. Startup Screens for Phones
These screens will be displayed while the app is starting up (if you do not select any images, the default ones will be used). They need to have the following dimensions:
- Portrait (4:3): 640 x 960 pixels
- Portrait (16:9): 1242 x 2208 pixels
- Landscape (16:9): 2208 x 1242 px
Code signing is a security measure to provide proof that you are indeed the publisher of an app.
Android Code Signing
Android Application ID
This should be a reverse DNS name like com.yourdomain.yourpublication - if you are going to be creating an app for both the iPad and Android, the best practice is to use the same one as the one you used for the iPad.
Android Keystore
If you are moving to Twixl Publisher from a platform like Adobe DPS, you will have created an Android keystore using the Keytool via terminal. You can find more info about the Android Keystore in this article.
Your are now ready to create a build of your app, according to the settings you specified. Later on you can also check the "Advanced Settings" to adjust more advanced settings that are not included in the wizard.
When you create a build, you will get different options for your build, as shown below:
Version
Allows you to increment the version when you are updating your app
Platforms
Android - select Test build to create a version for internal testing, Android for Google Play for submitting to the Play store.
Publication
Select the InDesign export file here (with the .publication extension)
The app will display information about the current build status.
When the build process has completed, you will be able to navigate to the resulting files in the Finder.
10.1. For a test build
The resulting file will have an extension .apk
You are now ready to deploy your app.
10.2. For a Google Play build
There will be two files:
- a file with extension .apk (the app itself)
- a file with extension .obb (the publication)
You are now ready to deploy your app.