{"id":10508,"date":"2025-09-22T20:06:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T00:06:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/learndash.com\/support\/?post_type=docs&p=10508"},"modified":"2025-09-23T10:16:33","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T14:16:33","password":"","slug":"how-to-generate-android-release-apps","status":"publish","type":"docs","link":"https:\/\/learndash.com\/support\/kb\/learndash-app\/app-builds\/how-to-generate-android-release-apps\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Generate Android Release Apps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Android Release Apps allow you to prepare production-ready builds for Google Play submission, real-world testing, and accurate In-App Purchase validation. Built using our cloud-based servers, Release Apps compile your site\u2019s configuration, branding, menus, and any GitHub-connected customizations into an Android App Bundle (AAB)<\/strong> file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Test Apps<\/strong> are ideal for daily QA and rapid development previews, Release Apps<\/strong> are required for publishing to Google Play and verifying actual subscription pricing, durations, and purchase flows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guide will walk you through creating an Android Release App build, uploading it to a Google Play testing track, inviting testers, and managing build updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Release vs Test Apps<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Test Apps<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Best for daily QA, stakeholder demos, and custom code previews.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Installable via QR code without using Google Play.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Simulate purchases with placeholder pricing (no real transactions).
    <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Release Apps<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Required for Google Play Store submission and live testing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Generated as AAB files for Google Play upload.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Display actual pricing, subscription durations, and terms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Enable genuine In-App Purchase transactions.
      <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Creating an Android Release App Build<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      1. In WordPress Admin, go to Learndash App > Build<\/strong>.
        <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Click Request Build<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
        \"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        1. Select Android<\/strong> as the Platform and Release App<\/strong> as the Build Type.
          <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Click Next Step<\/strong>, then Send Build Request<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
          \"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          1. Wait for the build to complete.
            <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          2. In Build History<\/strong>, click Download AAB File<\/strong> for the finished release build.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
            \"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            Note:<\/strong> Since August 2021, Google requires AAB uploads. APK uploads are only possible if previously published.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Uploading Your AAB to a Google Play Testing Track<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            1. Log in to the Google Play Console.
              <\/li>\n\n\n\n
            2. Open your app under All apps<\/strong>.
              <\/li>\n\n\n\n
            3. Under Release > Production<\/strong>, confirm your target countries\/regions are set.
              <\/li>\n\n\n\n
            4. Go to Release > Testing<\/strong> and choose Closed testing<\/strong> (recommended for In-App Purchase QA).
              <\/li>\n\n\n\n
            5. Click Manage track<\/strong> (e.g., Alpha) > Create new release<\/strong>.
              <\/li>\n\n\n\n
            6. In App bundles and APKs<\/strong>, upload your downloaded AAB.
              <\/li>\n\n\n\n
            7. Under Release details<\/strong>:
              \n
                \n
              • Leave the auto-filled release name as is.
                <\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Paste the Learndash App release notes.
                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Click Save<\/strong>, then Review release<\/strong>, then Start rollout to [track name]<\/strong>.
                <\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Wait for Google approval (may take minutes to days).
                <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                Inviting Testers to Your Track<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                  \n
                1. In Play Console, go to Release > Testing > Closed testing<\/strong> and open the Testers<\/strong> tab.
                  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
                2. Under Email lists<\/strong>, select or create a new list.
                  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
                3. Add tester emails (must match their Google Play account) and click Save Changes<\/strong>.
                  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
                4. Scroll to How testers join your test<\/strong> and copy the join link.
                  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
                5. Share the link with testers.
                  <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                  Configuring License Testing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                  1. In the sidebar, go to Settings > License testing<\/strong>.
                    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  2. Add the same tester emails and click Save Changes<\/strong>.
                    <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                    Testers can now install your Release App with full In-App Purchase functionality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Updating Your Testing Track with New Builds<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                      \n
                    1. Generate a new Release App build in Learndash App > Build<\/strong>.
                      <\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    2. In Play Console, go to Release > Testing > Closed testing > Manage track<\/strong>.
                      <\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    3. Click Create new release<\/strong>, upload the new AAB, and start the rollout.
                      <\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    4. Testers will see the update in their Play Store testing link.
                      <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                      Troubleshooting and FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                      Q: My testers can\u2019t access the build.<\/strong>
                      <\/strong> A: Make sure their exact Google Play account emails are added in both<\/strong> the Testers list and License Testing, and that Google has approved the testing track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Q: In-App Purchase prices aren\u2019t showing.<\/strong>
                      <\/strong> A: Only Release Apps from an approved closed testing track display real pricing. Ensure testers install from the track URL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Q: Build upload fails with \u201cAAB version is lower than previous.\u201d<\/strong>
                      <\/strong> A: Increase the versionCode in your app\u2019s build.gradle before rebuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Q: Google rejected my build.<\/strong>
                      <\/strong> A: Review the rejection email for specific policy violations and address them before resubmitting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Q: Can I switch from Closed to Open testing?<\/strong>
                      <\/strong> A: Yes. Go to Release > Testing<\/strong> and select your preferred testing type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Q: My testers see \u201cApp not available in your country.\u201d<\/strong>
                      <\/strong> A: Verify your target countries are set under Release > Production<\/strong> in the Play Console.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                      Introduction Android Release Apps allow you to prepare production-ready builds for Google Play submission, real-world testing, and accurate In-App Purchase validation. Built using our cloud-based servers, Release Apps compile your site\u2019s configuration, branding, menus, and any GitHub-connected customizations into an Android App Bundle (AAB) file. While Test Apps are ideal for daily QA and rapid…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_helpful_status":1,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_swpsp_post_exclude":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"doc_category":[289],"doc_tag":[],"knowledge_base":[283],"class_list":["post-10508","docs","type-docs","status-publish","hentry","doc_category-app-builds","knowledge_base-learndash-app"],"year_month":"2026-04","word_count":628,"total_views":"650","reactions":{"happy":"0","normal":"0","sad":"0"},"author_info":{"display_name":"Stephanie Liy","author_link":"https:\/\/learndash.com\/support\/author\/stephaniei\/"},"doc_category_info":[{"term_name":"App Builds","term_url":"https:\/\/learndash.com\/support\/kb\/learndash-app\/app-builds\/"}],"doc_tag_info":[],"taxonomy_info":{"doc_category":[{"value":289,"label":"App Builds"}],"knowledge_base":[{"value":283,"label":"LearnDash App"}]},"featured_image_src_large":false,"comment_info":0,"knowledge_base_info":[{"term_name":"LearnDash App","term_url":"https:\/\/learndash.com\/support\/kb\/learndash-app\/","term_slug":"learndash-app"}],"knowledge_base_slug":["learndash-app"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/learndash.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/10508","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/learndash.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/learndash.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/docs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/learndash.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/58"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/learndash.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10508"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/learndash.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/10508\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10509,"href":"https:\/\/learndash.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/10508\/revisions\/10509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/learndash.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10508"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"doc_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/learndash.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_category?post=10508"},{"taxonomy":"doc_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/learndash.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_tag?post=10508"},{"taxonomy":"knowledge_base","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/learndash.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/knowledge_base?post=10508"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}