Building the app is only half the journey. Publishing on Google Play requires preparation many developers discover at the last minute. Here are the steps in order.
1. Prepare the build
- Choose a final application ID (
applicationId): it can never change. - Create a signing key and store it safely; with Play App Signing you keep an upload key.
- Generate an Android App Bundle with
flutter build appbundle --release.
2. Create the store listing
Name, short and full descriptions, icon, phone screenshots, feature graphic, category and contact details. Take care of the screenshots: they often decide the download.
3. Complete the declarations
- A privacy policy available online.
- The “Data safety” section: which data is collected and why.
- The content rating questionnaire and target audience.
4. Go through testing
Recently created personal developer accounts must first run a closed test with a group of testers for a minimum period before publishing to production. Check the current requirements in the Play Console, as they change regularly.
Practical tip
Prepare the privacy policy, screenshots and tester list during development, not after. Publishing then becomes a formality instead of a project of its own.
