Android App Building and Submission

Introduction

Embarking on the journey of building and publishing your Android application to the Google Play Store is an exciting endeavor, albeit one that demands careful attention to detail. To ensure a smooth and successful launch, it's essential to follow a structured process that minimizes potential hurdles. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every crucial step, from the initial configuration within your eDirectory app builder to the final submission of your app for Google's review. By meticulously adhering to the outlined instructions, you'll be well-equipped to navigate the intricacies of Android app creation and publishing, significantly reducing the likelihood of encountering frustrating issues along the way. Let's dive in and bring your app to the world!

1. Access Your eDirectory App Builder's Android Area:

Begin by opening your eDirectory app builder, make sure you have added your app Logo, splash screen, colors and then click on Build & Submit to access the app builder. Later, select the Android build to proceed.

2. Set Up a Firebase Project for Your Android App:

Next, you'll need to create a Firebase project to integrate backend services into your Android app. Navigate to the Firebase website at https://console.firebase.google.com/.

Proceed to create a new Firebase project, following the on-screen instructions.

After your project is created, you'll need to add an Android app to your Firebase project. Look for an "Add app" button and select the Android icon, as shown in the Firebase console interface.

2.1. Enter Your App's Package Name:

In the "Add Android app" workflow within Firebase, you will be prompted to enter your app's package name. This is the unique identifier for your app, found in your eDirectory app builder's Android settings.

2.2. Register Your App with Firebase:

After entering the package name click the "Register app" button in Firebase. Proceed to click on "Next" in all the other steps.

3. Enable Authentication Methods in Firebase:

On your Firebase project's home page, navigate to "Security" and then "Authentication" section in the left-hand menu and click "Get started."

3.1. Enable Sign-in Methods:

Within the "Authentication" section, go to the "Sign-in method" tab. Enable the sign-in options "Email/password" and "Google." Toggle the switches next to the methods you want to enable and follow any additional configuration steps provided by Firebase.

4. Access Your Android App in the Firebase Console:

Return to your Firebase project's home screen. You should now see the Android app you registered listed. Click on your Android app to access its specific settings and information within the Firebase console.

5. Add the SHA Certificate:

Scroll down until you see "My Apps" and click on "Add fingerprint."

Back in your App Builder, you'll copy your SHA certificate and paste in the Certificate Fingerprint field back in Firebase. Make sure to copy only the SHA certificate and NOT the App's package name.

6. Download the google-services.json File:

Within the settings page where you just saved the Certificate for your Android app in the Firebase console, look for an option to download the google-services.json   file. This file contains configuration details necessary for your app to connect to your Firebase project. Click the download button to save this file to your computer.

7. Upload the google-services.json File to Your eDirectory App Builder:

Go back to your eDirectory app builder and locate the section for Firebase integration or Android build settings. There should be an option to upload the google-services.json   file you downloaded in the previous step. Upload this file to your eDirectory app builder.

8. Configure your Google Maps API Key:

Go to Google Cloud Console and make sure you're logged in to the same account you used to create the Firebase project. Select the project you created on step 3.1 when you enabled Google Sign-in method.

8.1 Enable the Maps SDK for Android and edit the credential:

Go to APIs & Services → Library, search for Maps SDK for Android, and enable it.

Now return to 'APIs & Services' and this time click on 'Credentials'. You'll notice there is a credential labeled "Android key (auto created by Firebase)". Click on that key to edit it.

Click on 'Show Key' and then copy this key

Back at the App Builder, you'll paste the key within the field 'Google Maps API Key'

Now, let's edit the key. Go back to Google Cloud Console and under 'API restrictions' select the search for 'Maps SDK for Android', select it and click on 'OK'.

Now, scroll down and under Key restrictions select "Android apps". Then click on 'Add' under Android restrictions.

Add the app's Package Name and SHA Certificate. You can locate this information back at the App Builder.

Click on 'Add' again and add the following information:

• Package Name: put the same package name you added before
• SHA certificate: 60:66:BE:C1:B4:13:E5:A4:BC:28:FD:3D:46:3A:13:8E:6C:5D:D5:C2

Save the key.

9. Initiate the App Build Process:

With all the necessary configurations in place, you can now proceed to build your Android app. In your eDirectory app builder, locate and click the button labeled "Start Build" or a similar option to begin the app building process.

10. Download the .aab File:

Once the build process is complete, your eDirectory app builder will generate an Android App Bundle file with the .aab    extension. Download this file to your computer. This .aab   file is the format required for uploading to the Google Play Store.

11. Create a New App on the Google Play Store Developer Account:

Navigate to your Google Play Store Developer account. If you haven't already created an app listing, click the "Create app" button to start a new app submission.

• Add the app's name
• Leave the default language as English (it'll automatically detect the user's phone language settings and translate)
• Select the option 'App'
• Select the option 'Free' (in case the client wishes to be a paid app, select the other option)
• Check the options for "Developer Program Policies" and "US export laws"
• Hit the button 'Create app'

12. Navigate Your App Console Dashboard:

You will now be taken to your app's console dashboard. Here, you will see a checklist or a list of all the necessary requirements and missing steps that need to be completed before your app can be published.

12.1. Configure Privacy Policy:

Locate the "Privacy policy" task and click on it. Enter the URL to your app's privacy policy, which should be hosted on your website. Click "Save" and then go back to your app's dashboard.

12.2. Configure Sign in details:

Now under "Sign in details" check the option "No" and hit 'Save' at the bottom.

12.3. Configure App Access:

Find the "App access" task and select the option that accurately describes how users can access your app. If all features are available without special access, select the first option. Click "Save" and return to the dashboard.

12.4. Configure Ads:

Locate the "Ads" task. If your app displays advertisements, select "Yes." If it does not, select "No." Click "Save" and go back to the dashboard.

12.5. Configure Content Ratings:

Find the "Content ratings" task and click "Start questionnaire."

12.5.1. Complete the Initial Questionnaire Page:

Enter your email address and select "All Other Apps Types" on the first page of the questionnaire. Click "Next" to proceed.

12.5.2. Answer Content-Related Questions:

Carefully answer all the questions on the subsequent pages regarding your app's content. For many general-purpose apps, selecting "No" for all the potentially sensitive content options is common. Click "Save" and then "Next."

12.5.3. Submit Your Rating:

On the final page of the questionnaire, review your answers and click "Submit." Then, go back to your app's dashboard.

12.6. Configure Target Audience and Content:

Locate the "Target audience and content" task. To potentially avoid certain issues with Google's policies, it is often recommended to select the age ranges "16-17" and "18 and over."

12.6.1. Configure Store Presence (Children):

On the "Store Presence" page within this task, if your app is not specifically designed for or appealing to children, select "No." Click "Next."

12.6.2. Save Target Audience Settings:

Click "Save" to finalize your target audience and content settings and return to the dashboard.

12.7. Configure News Apps:

Find the "News apps" task. If your app is not primarily focused on delivering news content, select "No." Click "Save" and go back to the dashboard.

12.8. Configure Data Safety:

Go to your Site Manager panel and create a page called "Delete Account" and add a 'Custom Content' widget with the following text:

App Account Deletion Process

To enhance user control over their data, we provide a simple and transparent account deletion process within our Android app. To delete your account, follow these steps: Tap "More" in the lower-right corner, access your account through the blue button at the top, click on "My Account," then select "Delete Account." Confirm by entering your PIN, and finalize the process by clicking "Delete". We value your privacy, and these steps ensure a straightforward way to manage your account within our app.

Then open this file and edit the column C, line 11 with the link from this page. Save it and then import as CSV in the Data Safety page.

12.9. Configure Government apps:

Under Government apps select the option 'No'

12.10. Configure Financial Features:

In Financial features, scroll down until the end and select the option 'My app doesn't provide any financial features'.

12.11. Configure Health apps:

You'll be automatically redirected to fill out the Health apps section. Scroll down until the end of the page and select the option 'My app does not have any health features'

12.11. Configure Advertising ID:

For the Advertising ID section, select the options 'Yes' for "Does your app use advertising ID?" and the option 'App functionality'

13. Configure Store Settings:

Locate the "Store settings" task, usually the second to last item on the dashboard list. Clicking on this will redirect you to the "Store Settings" page.

Choose the most relevant category for your app. Complete the fields for your contact email address and website URL. Then, click "Save."

14. Configure the Main Store Listing:

Find the "Main store listing" task, typically the last item on the dashboard list. Here, you will need to provide essential information that users will see on your app's Play Store page. This includes:

• App name: The official name of your app as it will appear on the Play Store.
• Short description: A brief, engaging summary of your app (usually a few sentences).
• Full description: A more detailed explanation of your app's features and benefits.
• App icon: The visual icon that represents your app on the Play Store and users' devices.
• Feature graphic: A larger promotional image displayed at the top of your app's Play Store page.
• Screenshots: Several high-quality screenshots showcasing your app's user interface and key features. You can utilize Google's internal testing feature to easily capture screenshots of your app.

Ensure all these items meet Google Play Store guidelines. You can update these elements later without needing to rebuild your app.

15. Upload Your App (Release the .aab File):

With all the necessary app content and store listing information completed, you are now ready to upload your app. In the left-hand menu of your app console, click on "Production."

16. Select Countries and Regions:

Click on the third tab, usually labeled "Countries / regions." Here, you will select the specific countries and regions where you want your app to be available for download on the Google Play Store.

17. Create a New Release:

Navigate back to the first tab under "Production," typically labeled "Releases." Click on the button labeled "Create new release."

18. Upload Your .aab File and Finalize Release:

Click the "Upload" button and select the .aab    file that was downloaded from your eDirectory app builder in step 10. You can change the release name if desired (this name is for your internal tracking and won't be visible to users). Click "Save," then click "Review release." Go back to the 'Overview' and click on the button 'Send changes for review'

Conclusion

Congratulations! Your Android app has now been submitted to the Google Play Store and will undergo a review process by Google's team. Once the review is complete and your app is approved, it will become available for download in the countries and regions you selected, typically within a couple of days.