Play Store Deployment

This guide covers building your Android app with EAS, submitting to Google Play, and completing the review process.

Prerequisites

• Google Play Console account — $25 one-time fee at play.google.com/console
• App created in Google Play Console
• EAS CLI installed and logged in

1. Prepare Your App

Update app.json before your first production build:

{
  "expo": {
    "name": "Your App Name",
    "slug": "your-app-slug",
    "version": "1.0.0",
    "android": {
      "package": "com.yourcompany.yourapp",
      "versionCode": 1,
      "adaptiveIcon": {
        "foregroundImage": "./assets/adaptive-icon.png",
        "backgroundColor": "#FFFFFF"
      }
    }
  }
}

Important: The package name cannot be changed after publishing to the Play Store. Choose carefully.

2. Build with EAS

eas build --platform android --profile production

EAS generates and manages the upload key automatically on first build. For the app signing key, use Google Play App Signing (recommended) which lets Google manage the final signing key.

The build produces an AAB (Android App Bundle) file. Builds take approximately 10-15 minutes.

3. Submit to Google Play

eas submit --platform android

For the first submission, you need a Google Service Account JSON key:

1. Go to Google Play Console > Setup > API access
2. Create a new service account or link an existing one
3. Grant the service account Release manager permissions
4. Download the JSON key
5. Provide the path when EAS Submit prompts for it

Configure Submission Track

Set the submission track in eas.json:

{
  "submit": {
    "production": {
      "android": {
        "track": "internal",
        "serviceAccountKeyPath": "./google-service-account.json"
      }
    }
  }
}

Tip: Start with internal for testing, then promote to production in the Play Console.

4. Complete the Play Console Setup

In Google Play Console, complete the required information:

Store Listing

• App title and description — Short description (80 chars) and full description (4000 chars)
• Screenshots — At least 2 phone screenshots, plus tablet if applicable
• Feature graphic — 1024x500 PNG or JPEG
• App icon — 512x512 PNG (32-bit, with alpha)

Content Rating

Complete the content rating questionnaire. This is required before you can publish.

Privacy Policy

Add a privacy policy URL. Required for all apps.

Data Safety

Complete the data safety form declaring what data your app collects:

• Email addresses (for authentication)
• User identifiers (for account management)
• Crash logs (if using error reporting)

Target Audience

Declare if the app is designed for children. If not, select "Not designed for children."

Google Play Review Process

Google Play reviews are typically faster than Apple — usually a few hours to 1-2 days. First submissions may take longer.

Key requirements:

• Content rating questionnaire completed
• Privacy policy URL provided
• Data safety form completed
• Target audience declared
• All store listing assets uploaded

Version Bumping

For each new release, increment the version and version code in app.json:

{
  "expo": {
    "version": "1.1.0",
    "android": {
      "versionCode": 2
    }
  }
}

The version is displayed to users. The versionCode must be strictly increasing with each submission.

Signing Key Management

EAS manages your upload key automatically. If you need to manage keys manually:

eas credentials --platform android

This lets you view, download, or replace your signing credentials.