9.8. Uploading Your Apps to Google Play
Once you’ve prepared your files and you’re ready to upload your app, review the steps in the Launch Checklist at:
Then log into Google Play at http://play.google.com/apps/publish (Section 9.6) and click the Publish an Android App on Google Play button to begin the upload process. You will be asked to upload the following assets:
1. App .apk file that includes the app's code files, assets, resources and the manifest file.
2. At least two screenshots of your app to be included in Google Play. You may include screenshots for an Android phone, 7" tablet and 10" tablet.
3. High-resolution app icon (512 x 512 pixels) to be included in Google Play.
4. Promotional graphic (optional) for Google Play to be used by Google if they decide to promote your app (for examples, check out some of the graphics for featured apps on Google Play). The graphic must be 180 pixels wide by 120 pixels tall in 24-bit PNG or JPEG format with no alpha transparency effects. It must also have a full bleed (i.e., go to the edge of the screen with no border in the graphic).
5. Promotional video (optional) to be included in Google Play. You may include a URL for a promotional video for your app (e.g., a YouTube link to a video that demonstrates how your app works).
In addition to app assets, you will be asked to provide the following additional listing details for Google Play:
1. Language. By default, your app will be listed in English. If you’d like to list it in additional languages, select them from the list provided (Fig. 9.13).
2. Title. The title of your app as it will appear in Google Play (30 characters maximum). It does not need to be unique among all Android apps.
3. Description. A description of your app and its features (4,000 characters maximum). It’s recommended that you use the last portion of the description to explain why each permission is required and how it’s used.
4. Recent changes. A walkthrough of any changes specific to the latest version of your app (500 characters maximum).
5. Promo text. The promotional text for marketing your app (80 characters max).
6. App type. Choose Applications or Games.
7. Category. Select the category (see Fig. 1.8) that best suits your game or app.
8. Price. The default setting is Free. To sell your app for a fee, you’ll need to set up a merchant account at Google Wallet.
9. Content rating. You may select High Maturity, Medium Maturity, Low Maturity or Everyone. For more information, see Rating your application content for Google Play at http://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/188189.
10. Locations. By default, the app will be listed in all current and future Google Play countries. If you do not want your app to be available in all these countries, you may pick and choose specific ones where you’d like your app to be listed.
11. Website. A Visit Developer’s Website link will be included in your app’s listing in Google Play. Provide a direct link to the page on your website where users interested in downloading your app can find more information, including marketing copy, feature listings, additional screenshots, instructions, etc.
12. E-mail. Your e-mail address will also be included in Google Play, so that customers can contact you with questions, report errors, etc.
13. Phone number. Sometimes your phone number is included in Google Play. Therefore it’s recommended that you leave this field blank unless you provide phone support. You may want to provide a customer service phone number on your website.