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We need to digitally sign and export our app, but fret not, it is easier than it sounds! In this video we'll see how to use the built-in tool in Android Studio to build the APK.
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Digitally signing and exporting an app is
actually easier than it sounds.
0:00
There's a wizard built into Android
studio.
0:04
Yay.
0:06
So, what exactly is a release ready APK?
0:07
When we build our App in Android studio,
it creates a file with a .APK extension,
0:11
which stands for Android Application
Package.
0:15
Now, while we are writing and testing the
app in Andriod Studio,
0:18
this APK file is digitally signed with
something called a debug certificate and
0:21
it's all taken care of in the background
for us.
0:25
We don't even have to worry about.
0:27
The debug certificate allows us to run the
app on an emulator or on a test device.
0:28
But it's not an official certificate, and
the APK cannot be
0:33
uploaded to an app store like Google Play
when compiled with the debug certificate.
0:36
When it's time to publish, we need a real
certificate.
0:41
Every Android application needs to be
digitally signed to
0:43
help protect end users from Malicious
Software or Malware.
0:46
For publishing where users install it
through Google Play,
0:50
we need to digitally sign the APK with a
self-signed certificate.
0:53
Self-signing guarantees that our app is
from us and only us.
0:56
It prevents hackers or
1:01
bad guys from impersonating us or
publishing apps under our name.
1:02
Cuz only we have that private self-signed
certificate.
1:05
Once again, this is all taken care of for
us in Android Studio.
1:09
So, with your apps project open, click on
the Build menu up here,
1:12
and then click on Generate Signed APK.
1:16
So, first select the module that has your
app code.
1:20
Ours is just called app for FunFacts.
1:23
Click Next.
1:26
Now, we need to create a new key store.
1:27
Note that the next time we do this we
would want to choose an existing one but
1:29
for now we are going to click on Create
new.
1:32
The key store holds the private digital
key that we need to sign all of our apps.
1:34
We need to use the same key store to sign
any updates to the same app.
1:38
Now, for different apps we could generate
a new key store for each app.
1:42
But the recommended approach is to create
one key store for yourself or
1:46
your organization and then sign all of
your apps with that same key store.
1:49
Okay.
So, finally let's click on this button.
1:53
And we're going to create a new key store
and
1:55
store it in a common location so that we
can use it in future apps.
1:57
So, click on the Browse here for
2:00
the path and I'm just going to put mine
right in my home directory.
2:02
That's fine.
And
2:05
down here at the bottom we have the file
name.
2:06
And I'm just gonna use treehouse.
2:08
Keystore as mine, and then click OK.
2:11
Now, enter a secure password, then confirm
it and next we
2:14
want to enter an alias or a name for the
key we want to create in this key store.
2:21
Now, I know this might be a little
confusing with keystores and
2:25
keys and certificates.
2:28
All these words are kinda referring to the
same thing but
2:29
as long as you use the wizard like this it
keeps everything organized, and
2:32
it's pretty simple, especially once we set
it up.
2:35
For the name I'm gonna type treehouse_key,
and then again, another password.
2:37
Now this could be the same password or a
different one, it's up to you.
2:42
And next we need to enter the number of
years that this key should be valid.
2:48
We want this certificate to be valid as
long as our app is in existence.
2:52
The default value of 25 years is probably
just fine.
2:56
But just to be safe lets pick a really
high number like I don't know 900 and 99.
3:00
Yeah that should work.
3:04
Okay next you can add the rest of the
organizational details so
3:06
I'll quickly fill out nine.
3:09
Okay and once you have those filled in you
need at least field filled in here at
3:13
the certificate but you don't have to fill
out everything.
3:16
Then click OK when you're done.
3:18
Okay, I'm going to remember the password,
but make sure you remember your
3:20
password and the location that you're
saving the key store.
3:23
You might wanna even copy this key store
file and maybe put it on a USB stick or
3:26
upload it somewhere or maybe even email it
you yourself.
3:31
You do not wanna lose this.
3:33
Okay, we click Next and the APK
destination folder is
3:34
where the APK file will be generated, and
it's going to be in our app module so
3:38
we'll be able to see it here in the
project as soon as it's done.
3:42
Make sure the build type is set to
release.
3:45
We don't wanna do debug,
3:46
that's what we're normally building
whenever we're testing our app.
3:47
So as of release, we can go ahead and
click Finish.
3:50
Okay, we see some messages down here about
gradall executing the tasks and
3:53
in a moment it should be done.
3:57
Okay, success.
3:59
There's a message up here, generate signed
APK and it tells us where it is.
4:00
It's also down here at the bottom in case
you need it.
4:03
And, check this out there's a new file in
here, our new APK, very cool.
4:06
So, this is in our file structure for our
project and
4:09
if I Right-click on here, I can even go to
Reveal In Finder and
4:12
it shows up here in the file explorer in
our project, very cool.
4:16
Okay, make a mental note of the location
here as were going to
4:20
upload this file from here in just a few
moments.
4:23
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