How to Publish AndRoid Application to Play Store

Publishing steps

1. Signing the Application

Every application that will be published in Google Play must be signed, and after being uploaded only will be updated if it's signed with the same signature.

In order to easy prototyping in your devices, GeneXus signs the APKs automatically with an Artech's signature.

You could also publish your application signed with that signature in Google Play, but we recommend signing it with your own Signature. 

How to obtain a Signature?

• Create an account in Google Play (reference price at September/2014: REGISTRATION fee $25.00).
• Create a "Key Store file" for signature the applications packets with the follow command (it is distributed with the JDK):

keytool -genkey -v -keystore my-release-key.keystore -alias alias_name -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 10000

Where:

-genkey	Generate a key pair (public and private keys).
-v	Enable verbose output.
-keystore	The name for the keystore containing the private key.
-alias	An alias for the key. Only the first 8 characters of the alias are used.
-keyalg	The encryption algorithm to use when generating the key. Must be RSA for GeneXus applications.
-keysize	The size of each generated key (bits). If not supplied, Keytool uses a default key size of 1024 bits. In general, we recommend using a key size of 2048 bits or higher.
-validity	The validity period for the key, in days. A value of 10000 or greater is recommended.

Note: if you sign your application using your own keystore and it uses SD Map control, you have to follow these steps.

Then, complete all information requested. You have to save the password for the next step.

• Complete the Application Signing properties in the generator properties:
  • Key Store File: that's the file named "my-release-key.keystore" in the keytool command.
  • Store Password: that's the one you set (you are asked for it ) while you run the keytool command.
  • Key Password:  that's the one you set (you are asked for it ) while you run the keytool command.

See in the image below.

2. Test your application thoroughly

3. Choose the icon and images that you will use for the publication

You will need (not counting optionals)

Screenshots:

file PNG or JPEG (no alpha) of 24 bits
of 320 x 480, 480 x 800, 480 x 854,
of 1280 x 720, 1280 x 800.
Full screen, no borders.

Aplication icon:

32 bits PNG or JPEG image and 512 x 512,
máximum: 1024 KB

3.5 Check your Android permissions

Before publishing your app make sure it will ask the user the minimun required permission from the device. 

In order to modify the required permissions open and edit the AndroidManifest.xml file located under <Genexus Path>\Android\Templates and remove or comment the uses-permission tags that do not apply to your app. For more info see Android Application Permissions.

4. Publish

At this point you are ready to upload the application to Google Play. Go to play.google.com, log in using a Google account, and go to Developers (at the bottom).

Then go to "Publish".