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Generate App (Android)

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for generating a release version of your eBroker Android application, ready for distribution to users or submission to the Google Play Store.

Generate Keystore​

Before building your app, you need to create a keystore to securely sign your Android application:

  1. Open terminal or command prompt

  2. Navigate to the android/app directory in your project

  3. Create a new keystore by running the appropriate command:

    For Mac/Linux:

    keytool -genkey -v -keystore upload-keystore.jks -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 10000 -alias upload

    For Windows:

    keytool -genkey -v -keystore upload-keystore.jks -storetype JKS -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 10000 -alias upload

  4. Follow the prompts to enter:

    • Keystore password
    • Distinguished name fields (your name, organization, etc.)
    • Alias password

  5. Upon completion, the keystore file (upload-keystore.jks) will be saved in the android/app directory

Configure key.properties​

Next, set up the key.properties file to store keystore information:

  1. Open or create the key.properties file in the android directory
  2. Add the following lines to the file: 
    storePassword=your_keystore_password
    keyPassword=your_alias_password
    keyAlias=your_alias_name
    storeFile=your_keystore_name.keystore
  3. Replace the placeholder values with your actual keystore details
  4. Save the file

Building Split APKs​

Split APKs optimize your app for different device architectures:

  1. Open terminal or command prompt
  2. Navigate to your project directory
  3. Run the following command: 
    flutter build apk --split-per-abi --no-tree-shake-icons

This will generate optimized APKs for different CPU architectures (ARM, ARM64, x86_64).

Building Release APK​

To create a single APK file for all devices:

  1. Open terminal or command prompt
  2. Navigate to your project directory
  3. Run the following command: 
    flutter build apk --release

The generated APK will be located at build/app/outputs/flutter-apk/app-release.apk.

Building App Bundle​

App Bundles are the preferred format for Google Play Store submission:

Note: Before generating the App Bundle, ensure you have completed the keystore configuration steps above.

  1. Open terminal or command prompt
  2. Navigate to your project directory
  3. Run the following command: 
    flutter build appbundle --no-tree-shake-icons

The generated AAB file will be located at build/app/outputs/bundle/release/app-release.aab.

Testing the Build​

Before distributing your app:

  1. Install the generated APK on a test device
  2. Verify that all features work correctly
  3. Check performance and responsiveness
  4. Ensure proper handling of user data and permissions

Submitting to Google Play Store​

After successful testing:

  1. Create a developer account on Google Play Console if you don't have one
  2. Create a new application listing
  3. Upload your signed AAB or APK file
  4. Complete the store listing with screenshots, descriptions, and promotional graphics
  5. Set pricing and distribution options
  6. Submit for review