How to create a download key to subscribe to the Google App?

Question

I am currently struggling with a download key, which is a new method of signing an APK, to publish it on Google Play.

What I've done

• I created a new application, which should now appear in the play store.
• I created an application record on the Play console.
• Then I activated the Google Play App Signing
• I downloaded a signed APK with a regular keystore file.

And then I get the following error message from the download dialog.

Error loading . You downloaded the APK signed with the key, which is also used to sign the APKs that are delivered to users. Because you are registered in the application subscription, you must sign the APK with a new key before downloading it.

What a problem

I did not find anything to upload the upload key or how to generate something like this. Is the boot key equal to the keystore file?

What i tried to do

Then I looked at the application signing documentation here . But I don’t understand how to create this key to download and send it to Google.

Can anybody help me?

Answer 1

On the Help Page page :

Download button . The new key that you create during registration in the program. You will use the download key to sign all future APKs before downloading them to the Play Console.

So this is just a new key that you create using an existing process.

Answer 2

I just went through this exhausting process. I use React Native, so I don’t even use Android Studio if I do not need to start the virtual device. I document this for myself and for everyone who has been traumatized by this experience. This is explicit for the "Download Key" option. Then Google replaces it with Play, so you are not responsible for not losing the one and only key to your states.

Open the android file inside your React Native project in Android Studio. Build it and do whatever you have so that it gives you the ability to create an APK (unsigned or something else). You can also just run it here on VD or on the phone if it is connected. I had to make updates to build them, so you might need to do the same.

First go to "Build" in the menu:

This window will appear:

Click "Create New ..."

A dialog box will appear. Fill out this information. Please note that there are two separate passwords. Remember what you put there later.

Go to the place where you want to save the key. React Native already has a folder called "keystores" in the MyApp> android> application. Select this as the key storage path by clicking the "..." button.

Enter what you want your key to be called. I gave him the same name as the application.

This will return you to the previous dialog box. Fill in the passwords and click "Next."

This will lead you to this dialog where you can choose where to put apk. By default in React Native, it goes to MyApp> android> app> app-release.apk. Click these two checkboxes, otherwise you will have to change some configs or Google Play will reject them. They start unhindered.

Go to this page in the developer panel. Click "Edit Release." It is assumed that you have already created a beta or alpha version. (Not described here).

This will lead you to this page. Drag and drop your apk here or download using the button.

Please google, document this process somewhere! Peaceful!

Answer 3

You mentioned the Android Developer Page ( Sign APK ) clearly outlines how to generate a key using Android Studio. Check out the Generate a key and keystore .

An upload key no different from how it is created. This is the only goal that distinguishes it from the signature key. The download button is only used to download the APK to the Google server so that they can authenticate you. Then Google runs the actual application for you.