google-play-setup

Google Play Setup

Prerequisites

• Google Play Console account ($25 one-time fee) at play.google.com/console
• EAS CLI: npm install -g eas-cli && eas login

Required reading — Expo official guides:

• Creating a Google Service Account
• First Android Submission

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Step 1: Configure Android Package Name

Set the package name in app.json before the first build — it cannot be changed after the app is published:

{
  "expo": {
    "android": {
      "package": "com.yourorg.appname"
    }
  }
}

Use reverse domain notation. Must be globally unique on Play Store.

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Step 2: Create Play Console App Listing

1. Go to play.google.com/console → Create app
2. Fill in:
   • App name: Display name
   • Default language: English
   • App or game: App
   • Free or paid: your choice
3. Accept policies → Create app

Note the Application ID from the URL: play.google.com/console/u/0/developers/.../app/XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX/

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Step 3: Complete App Setup Requirements

Google requires these before you can upload any build:

App content declarations (Play Console → Policy → App content):

• Privacy Policy URL
• Ads declaration
• Content rating questionnaire (takes ~2 min)
• Target audience
• Data safety form (what data you collect — be honest)

Store listing (Play Console → Grow → Store presence → Main store listing):

• Short description (80 chars)
• Full description (4000 chars)
• Screenshots: Phone (minimum 2), Tablet optional
• Feature graphic: 1024×500 PNG
• App icon: 512×512 PNG

None of this blocks the first upload but it does block publishing to users.

"Finish setting up your app" banner — Play Console shows this dashboard banner after app creation. It lists required items before you can publish. Work through them in order — all must be green before the app goes live. This is separate from the store listing itself.