How to generate an upload key for Google App Signing?

Question

I am currently struggling with the upload key, which is the new method of signing APK's to publish it to Google Play.

What I have done

1. I created a new app which should now on the play store.
2. I created an app entry on the Play console.
3. Then I activated Google Play App Signing
4. I uploaded my signed APK with a normal keystore file.

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

Upload failed You uploaded an APK that is signed with a key that is also used to sign APKs that are delivered to users. Because you are enrolled in App Signing, you should sign your APK with a new key before you upload it.

What's the problem

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

What I've tried to do

Then I looked at the documentation of app signing here. But I don't understand how I can create this upload key and send it Google.

Can anyone help me?

Answer 1

I just went through this exhausting process. I'm using React Native so I never even use Android Studio unless I need to launch a virtual device. I'm documenting this for myself and anyone else that has been traumatized by this experience. This is explicitly for the 'Upload Key' option. Google then swaps it out on Play so you aren't really responsible for making sure you don't lose the one and only key to your fortunes.

Open the 'android' file inside your React Native project in Android Studio. Build it and do whatever you have to so it gives you the options to produce an APK (unsigned or whatever). You can also just run it from here on a VD or a phone if it's attached. I had to do updates to get it to build so you may need to do the same.

First go to 'Build' in the menu:

This window will come up:

Click 'Create new...'

A dialog like this will come up. Fill it out with your info. Note that there are two separate passwords. Remember what you put there for later.

Go to someplace you want to store the key. In React Native, there is already a folder called 'keystores' at MyApp > android > app. Choose that as the key store path by clicking the '...' button.

Type in whatever you want your key called. I gave it the same name as the app.

This will bring you back to the previous dialog. Fill in the passwords from before and click 'Next'.

This will bring you to this dialog where you can choose where to put the apk. By default in React Native it goes to MyApp > android > app > app-release.apk. Click those two tick boxes otherwise you will have to change some configs or Google Play will reject it. They start out unchecked.

Go to this page in your Developer Panel. Click 'Edit Release'. This is presuming you've already set up a beta or alpha release. (Not covered here.)

That will bring you to this page. Drag and drop your apk here or upload with the button.

Please, Google, document this process somewhere! Peace out!