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PlayStore deployment

App Deployment

Overview​

This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough for deploying your Flutter app to the Google Play Store and App Store. We'll cover everything from account setup to app submission, making it easy for non-technical users to follow.

Prerequisites​

Before starting the deployment process, ensure you have:

  1. A Google Play Developer Account ($25 one-time fee)
  2. Your Flutter app ready for release
  3. Basic understanding of using command line/terminal
  4. Required assets:
    • App icon (512x512 px)
    • Feature graphic (1024x500 px)
    • Screenshots for different devices (Phone, Tablet)
    • Privacy policy URL
    • Short description (up to 80 characters)
    • Full description (up to 4000 characters)
    • Promotional video (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide​

1. Developer Account Setup​

  1. Visit Google Play Console
  2. Choose your account type:
    • Individual developer (additional testing requirements)
    • Organization (requires D-U-N-S Number)
  3. Complete registration:
    • Pay $25 registration fee
    • Verify your identity
    • Set up payment profile
    • Provide contact information
    • Accept developer agreement
  4. For Organization accounts:
    • Obtain D-U-N-S Number (takes 1-30 business days)
    • Submit business verification documents
    • Provide organization details

2. App Configuration​

Before building your app, update these files:

Update pubspec.yaml​

version: 1.0.0+1  # Format: version_name+version_code

Important Version Note:

  • The version format is version_name+version_code (e.g., 1.0.0+1)
  • version_name (1.0.0): Represents the public version number shown to users
  • version_code (1): Internal version number used by Play Store
  • For every new release, you MUST increment the version_code by at least 1
  • Example sequence:
    • First release: 1.0.0+1
    • Bug fix update: 1.0.1+2
    • Feature update: 1.1.0+3
    • Major update: 2.0.0+4

Configure Android Manifest​

Navigate to android/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml:

<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
    <application
        android:label="Your App Name"
        android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher">
        <!-- Your app configuration -->
    </application>
</manifest>

3. Generate App Signing Key​

  1. Open terminal in project directory
  2. Run command:

For Mac/Linux​

keytool -genkey -v -keystore YOUR-KEYSTORE-FILE.jks -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 10000 -alias YOUR-ALIAS

For Windows​

keytool -genkey -v -keystore YOUR-KEYSTORE-FILE.jks -storetype JKS -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 10000 -alias YOUR-ALIAS
  1. Follow prompts to create keystore:
    • Enter password
    • Provide your details
    • Confirm information
  2. Store keystore file securely
  3. Make backup copies of the keystore

Create JKS File

4. Configure Key Properties​

Create key.properties in android folder:

storePassword=<your keystore password>
keyPassword=<your key password>
keyAlias=upload
storeFile=<path to your keystore file>

Create key.properties File

Update android/app/build.gradle:

  1. Open your build.gradle file.
  2. Look for the required code blocks:
    • ✅ If present: No changes needed.
    • ❌ If missing: Add the required code blocks manually.
def keystoreProperties = new Properties()
def keystorePropertiesFile = rootProject.file('key.properties')
if (keystorePropertiesFile.exists()) {
    keystoreProperties.load(new FileInputStream(keystorePropertiesFile))
}

change build.gradle file

signingConfigs {
        release {
            keyAlias keystoreProperties['keyAlias']
            keyPassword keystoreProperties['keyPassword']
            storeFile keystoreProperties['storeFile'] ? file(keystoreProperties['storeFile']) : null
            storePassword keystoreProperties['storePassword']
        }
    }

change build.gradle file

signingConfig signingConfigs.release

change build.gradle file

  1. Save the file.
  2. Sync your project to apply the changes.

5. Build Your App​

  1. Open terminal in project directory
  2. Run command:
flutter build appbundle --release
  1. Optional flags:
    • --obfuscate - To protect your code
    • --split-debug-info - For crash reporting
  2. Wait for build completion
  3. Find app bundle at: build/app/outputs/bundle/release/app.aab

6. App Setup​

Create App Listing​

  1. Go to Play Console
  2. Click "Create app"
  3. Fill basic information:
    • App name
    • Default language
    • App/game category
    • Free/paid status
    • Declaration of app content

Create New App

Complete Store Listing​

Store Listing Page

Let Us Know About The Content Of Your App​

1. Set Privacy Policy​

  • Required for all apps
  • Must be accessible without requiring a login
  • Include:
    • Data collection and usage
    • Security practices
    • Data deletion policies
    • Contact information

2. App Access​

  • Specify if app requires login
  • Provide test account credentials if needed
  • List any special access requirements
  • Detail any region restrictions

3. Ads Declaration​

  • Indicate if your app contains ads
  • Specify types of ads used:
    • Banner ads
    • Interstitial ads
    • Rewarded ads
    • Native ads
  • Declare ad networks used

4. Content Rating​

  • Complete questionnaire about:
    • Violence
    • Sexual content
    • Language
    • Controlled substances
    • Miscellaneous
  • Rating affects app visibility and target audience

5. Target Audience​

  • Select target age groups
  • Specify if app is designed for children

6. News Apps (if applicable)​

  • Declare if app provides news content
  • Provide publisher information
  • Detail editorial policies
  • Verify news sources

7. Data Safety​

  • Declare all data collection:
    • Location
    • Personal information
    • Files and media
    • Device information
  • Explain data usage:
    • App functionality
    • Analytics
    • Personalization
    • Advertising
  • Detail data security measures
  • Specify data sharing practices

8. Government Apps (if applicable)​

  • Verify government association
  • Provide official documentation
  • Detail security measures
  • Specify jurisdiction

9. Financial Apps (if applicable)​

  • Declare financial services offered
  • Provide licensing information
  • Detail security measures
  • Specify supported regions

10. Health Apps (if applicable)​

  • Declare health-related features
  • Provide medical disclaimers
  • Detail data protection measures
  • List any certifications

11. Categorization​

  • Primary category selection
  • Tags and keywords
  • Contact details
    • Email address
    • Phone number
    • Website
    • Physical address

Create Category

Select Category

12. Store Listing Details​

  • App name (30 characters max)
  • Short description (80 characters max)
  • Full description (4000 characters max)
  • What's new in this release
1. Visual Assets​

  • App icon requirements:

    • 512x512 px PNG
    • Maximum file size: 1MB

  • Feature graphic:

    • 1024x500 px
    • JPG or PNG
    • Maximum file size: 15MB

  • Screenshots:

    • Phone screenshots (minimum 2)
      • 16:9 aspect ratio
      • Minimum 1920x1080 px
    • Tablet screenshots (if supported)
      • 16:9 aspect ratio
      • Minimum 2048x1536 px

Create Store Listing

Manage Store Listing

2. Languages and Translations​
  • Default language selection
  • Additional language support
  • Localized store listings
    • Translations of descriptions
    • Language-specific screenshots

Create Store Listing

8. Testing Setup​

Understanding Testing Requirements​

For personal developer accounts created after November 13, 2023, you must meet specific testing requirements before publishing your app on Google Play:

  • Run a closed test with minimum 12 testers
  • Testers must be opted-in for at least 14 consecutive days
  • Complete an application process for production access

Testing Tracks Overview​

  1. Internal Testing

    • Purpose: Quick distribution to trusted testers
    • Features:
      • Available before app setup completion
      • Builds available within seconds
      • Small group of trusted testers
      • Optional but recommended first step
    • No specific requirements to access

  2. Closed Testing

    • Purpose: Testing with controlled user group
    • Requirements:
      • Must complete app setup
      • Minimum 12 opted-in testers
      • 14 consecutive days of testing
    • Features:
      • Policy compliance verification
      • Bug fixing
      • User feedback collection

  3. Open Testing

    • Purpose: Public testing on Google Play
    • Requirements:
      • Must have production access
      • App visible on Google Play
    • Features:
      • Anyone can join testing
      • Private feedback collection
      • Public visibility

  4. Production

    • Purpose: Full public release
    • Requirements:
      • Successful closed testing
      • 12+ testers for 14 days
      • Approved application for production access
    • Features:
      • Full Play Store distribution
      • Access to all Play Console features

9. Production Release​

  1. Create production track
  2. Select Countries
  3. Upload app bundle
  4. Add release notes:
    • What's new
    • Bug fixes
    • Improvements
  5. Configure rollout percentage
  6. Review all sections:
    • Store listing
    • Content rating
    • Data safety
    • App content
  7. Submit for review

Select Countries

Create Release

Add Release Details

10. Post-Release Tasks​

  1. Monitor app performance
  2. Track user feedback
  3. Address bug reports
  4. Plan updates
  5. Maintain compliance