When you are ready to publish, use Play App Signing:
- Create a Play Console account and an app entry.
- In Release > Setup > App integrity, enable Play App Signing.
- Use your existing release keystore as the upload key (or generate a new upload key if you prefer).
- Build a signed release APK/AAB locally (
./gradlew assembleReleaseor./gradlew bundleRelease). - Upload the signed artifact in the Play Console.
Notes:
- Keep your keystore backed up; you will need it to sign future uploads.
- Play will manage the app signing key once enabled.