GCP & Google Play Console Setup

Android release prerequisites

Every Android release flows through Google Play Console. Automated uploads require a GCP service account linked to your Play Developer account. Manual first upload is recommended to understand the console before automating.

Step-by-step setup

• Create Google Play Developer account at play.google.com/console ($25 one-time fee).
• Create GCP project (or use existing) at console.cloud.google.com.
• Play Console → Setup → API access → Link the GCP project.
• GCP → IAM → Create service account (e.g. play-deploy-bot).
• Play Console → Users and permissions → Invite service account email.
• Grant: Release to testing tracks, View app information (not financial data).
• GCP → Service account → Keys → Add key → JSON → download once securely.
• Store JSON in GitHub Secret; in CI write to temp file with chmod 600.

- name: Decode Play Store key
  run: |
    echo "${{ secrets.PLAY_STORE_JSON_KEY }}" > play-key.json
    chmod 600 play-key.json
  env:
    PLAY_STORE_JSON_KEY: ${{ secrets.PLAY_STORE_JSON_KEY }}

Before first upload checklist

• App listing: title, description, screenshots (phone + tablet), feature graphic.
• Content rating questionnaire completed.
• Data safety form filled (data collection, sharing, encryption).
• Privacy policy URL hosted and linked.
• Target API level meets Play requirements (check current Android target SDK policy).
• Play App Signing enabled (recommended for all new apps).