Play Store submission in Android Kotlin - Build, Publish & Deploy

Build & Publish - Play Store submission

Performance Impact

Submitting your app to the Play Store does not directly affect app performance like frame rate or memory. However, Google Play requires your app to meet certain performance standards to ensure a smooth user experience. Apps that crash often or use excessive resources may be flagged or removed. Optimizing your app before submission helps maintain good performance and user ratings.

Optimization for 60fps Rendering

Before submitting, optimize your app to run smoothly at 60 frames per second. This includes minimizing heavy work on the main thread, using efficient layouts like ConstraintLayout, and avoiding unnecessary background tasks. Use Android Profiler tools to detect performance bottlenecks. A smooth app improves user satisfaction and reduces negative reviews on the Play Store.

Impact on App Bundle Size and Startup Time

The Play Store encourages using Android App Bundles (.aab) to reduce download size for users. Smaller bundles improve install rates and startup times. Remove unused resources and code with tools like ProGuard or R8. Avoid large native libraries unless necessary. Faster startup and smaller size lead to better user retention and higher Play Store rankings.

iOS vs Android Differences

Unlike iOS, Android apps are submitted through the Google Play Console using App Bundles or APKs. Android supports multiple device configurations, so Play Store dynamically delivers optimized APKs per device. Code signing uses your own keystore, unlike Apple's managed certificates. Review times on Google Play are usually faster, often within hours, compared to Apple's 24-48 hours.

Play Store Review Checklist

• Ensure your app targets the latest Android SDK version.
• Use a signed and optimized Android App Bundle (.aab) or APK.
• Follow Google Play policies on content, privacy, and permissions.
• Provide a clear app description, screenshots, and privacy policy URL.
• Test your app on multiple devices and Android versions.
• Check for crashes and ANRs (Application Not Responding) errors.
• Declare all permissions and justify their use.
• Use Play Console pre-launch reports to catch issues early.

Self-Check Question

Your app takes 5 seconds to load this screen. What's likely wrong?

• Heavy work is running on the main thread blocking UI rendering.
• Large resources or images are loaded synchronously at startup.
• Unoptimized layouts causing slow measure and layout passes.
• Network calls or database queries blocking the UI thread.

Key Result

Submitting to the Play Store requires an optimized, signed Android App Bundle that meets performance and policy standards to ensure smooth user experience and fast review times.

Practice

1. Why is it important to sign your Android app before submitting it to the Play Store?

easy

A. It verifies the app's author and ensures updates come from the same source.

B. It makes the app run faster on all devices.

C. It automatically translates the app to multiple languages.

D. It removes all bugs from the app.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand app signing purpose

   Signing confirms the identity of the developer and secures app updates.

2. Step 2: Recognize Play Store requirements

   Google Play requires signed apps to ensure trust and security for users.

3. Final Answer:

   It verifies the app's author and ensures updates come from the same source. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   App signing = Verify author and secure updates [OK]

Hint: Signing proves app ownership and update safety [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking signing improves app speed
• Believing signing translates the app
• Assuming signing fixes bugs automatically

2. Which of the following is the correct way to specify the version code in your Android app's build.gradle file before Play Store submission?

easy

A. versionCode = 1

B. versionCode = "1.0"

C. versionCode = true

D. versionCode = 1.0

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify versionCode data type

   versionCode must be an integer, not a string or decimal.

2. Step 2: Check each option's type

   versionCode = 1 uses an integer 1, which is correct; others use string, boolean, or float.

3. Final Answer:

   versionCode = 1 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   versionCode = integer [OK]

Hint: versionCode must be an integer number [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using quotes around versionCode value
• Using decimal numbers for versionCode
• Assigning boolean values to versionCode

3. Given this snippet in your build.gradle file, what will happen when you try to upload the app to the Play Store?

android {
    defaultConfig {
        applicationId "com.example.app"
        minSdkVersion 21
        targetSdkVersion 33
        versionCode 2
        versionName "1.1"
    }
}

medium

A. The upload will fail because applicationId is missing.

B. The app will upload successfully with version 1.1 and code 2.

C. The app will upload but with minSdkVersion ignored.

D. The upload will fail because versionCode must be a string.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check versionCode and versionName types

   versionCode is integer 2 and versionName is string "1.1" which is correct.

2. Step 2: Verify required fields

   applicationId, minSdkVersion, targetSdkVersion are all present and valid.

3. Final Answer:

   The app will upload successfully with version 1.1 and code 2. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Valid config = Successful upload [OK]

Hint: Check types and required fields before upload [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing versionCode type as string
• Missing applicationId in config
• Assuming minSdkVersion is optional

4. You tried to submit your app to the Play Store but got an error saying your APK is not signed. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. You used the wrong package name in your manifest.

B. Your app's versionName is missing.

C. You forgot to generate and use a signing key before building the APK.

D. You set minSdkVersion too high.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the error message

   "APK is not signed" means the app was built without a signing key.

2. Step 2: Identify the cause

   Not generating or applying a signing key before building causes this error.

3. Final Answer:

   You forgot to generate and use a signing key before building the APK. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Unsigned APK error = Missing signing key [OK]

Hint: Unsigned APK error means no signing key used [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing package name errors with signing errors
• Ignoring versionName warnings
• Thinking minSdkVersion affects signing

5. You want to submit an update to your app on the Play Store. Your current live app has versionCode 5 and versionName "1.4". Which of the following is the correct way to update these values in your build.gradle file?

hard

A. versionCode 5
versionName "1.5"

B. versionCode 6
versionName "1.4"

C. versionCode 4
versionName "1.5"

D. versionCode 6
versionName "1.5"

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Play Store versioning rules

   versionCode must increase with each update; versionName usually increases to reflect new version.

2. Step 2: Evaluate options

   versionCode 6 versionName "1.5" increases versionCode to 6 and versionName to "1.5", which follows rules.

3. Final Answer:

   versionCode 6 versionName "1.5" -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Update requires higher versionCode and updated versionName [OK]

Hint: Always increase versionCode and update versionName for new releases [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Keeping versionCode same as previous release
• Decreasing versionCode accidentally
• Not updating versionName with new release