Configuración en Google Play Console

Publishing apps on Google Play is a crucial step for any Android developer. This process, although it may seem complex initially, follows a clear structure that will guide you from the creation of your developer account to the final configuration of your app in the store. Knowing these steps will help you avoid unexpected rejections and present your app in a professional manner to the public.

How to create a developer account on Google Play?

Before you can publish any app, you need to have a verified developer account. There are two main options for creating this account:

Organization account.

If you represent a company, you can create an organization account. For this you will need:

• A DOM number (universal identifier for companies).
• Contact details such as telephone and address
• A one-time payment of twenty-five dollars

Personal account

For freelance developers, the personal option is more suitable:

• You will need to provide a photo ID
• Submit proof of your address and name
• These documents will be reviewed by a real person

It is important to note that verification is a manual process, so it may take some time before your account is fully enabled to publish apps.

What are the steps to publish an application on Google Play?

Once your developer account has been verified, you will be able to log in to the Google Play console to begin the publishing process.

Initial app creation

To create a new app from scratch:

1. Log in to the developer console.
2. Select "Create app".
3. Add the name of the application (this can be changed later).
4. Select the default language
5. Specify whether it is an application or a game
6. Indicate whether it will be free or paid
7. Accept the terms and conditions

Configuration required by Google Play

After creating the application, Google Play will guide you through several mandatory setup steps:

• Privacy policy: you must set up a clear privacy policy. You can use tools like Thermy to generate it, making sure to include all the information you collect from the user.

• Access to other applications: You must indicate whether your app accesses other apps installed on the device.

• Ads: You need to specify whether your app contains advertisements. Note that if you use Firebase services, your app is likely to be considered as containing ads.

Play Store tab settings

This is the visual part that users will see when they find your app in the store:

• App name: The title that will appear in the store.
• Short description: A concise summary of what your app does
• Full description: Detailed information about features and functionality.

Required graphic resources

Google Play requires several visual elements to showcase your application:

• App icon: Must meet the required technical specifications.
• Feature graphic: A promotional banner that highlights your app
• Promotional video (optional but recommended)
• Screenshots: At least two real images that show how the application works.
• Tablet screenshots: If your application is optimized for tablets, you should include specific screenshots.

What's next after configuring your application?

Once you have completed the configuration in the Google Play Console, the next step is to deploy your application for testing through the platform. This step is critical to ensure that everything is working properly before final release.

Testing will allow you to detect any potential issues and make adjustments before end users access your app. Google Play offers different testing channels such as internal, closed and open, which you can use according to your specific needs.

Carefully following all these steps will not only help you comply with Google Play requirements, but will also improve the presentation of your application, increasing its chances of success in the market. Have you had experience publishing applications on Google Play? Share your experiences and doubts in the comments.