App Distribution Signing and Store Release

Distribution is the work that turns a finished app into something users can install, trust, and update. The recurring failures are not framework syntax. They are signing identity, package identity, store review, privacy declarations, screenshots, updater metadata, release tracks, and clean-device testing.

The lab owner already has Android Play Store and Microsoft Store developer accounts. That removes account setup friction for Android and Windows, but every app still needs app-specific package IDs, signing choices, privacy/data safety declarations, listing assets, test tracks, release evidence, and review handling. Apple is covered as a basics track because an Apple Developer Program account should not be assumed.

Start Here

• Release Systems Map - how package formats, stores, signing, updates, and telemetry fit together
• Signing and Trust - Play App Signing, Windows code signing, SmartScreen, Apple signing, and updater keys
• Release Tracks, Listings, and Privacy - the store-facing work that blocks release even when builds pass
• Release Quality Gates - the minimum evidence to collect before shipping

First Release Paths

• Android Play First Release - AAB, Play App Signing, internal test, Data safety, listing, and rollout
• Microsoft Store and Windows Release - Store/MSIX path plus direct Windows download path
• Tauri, Electron, and PWA Release - desktop updater signing, Electron target choice, and PWA wrappers
• Apple App Store Basics - account prerequisite, app record, TestFlight, metadata, privacy, review, and phased release

Operational References

• Release Blockers - common failure modes and the fastest fix path
• Source Log - official source list, fetch limitations, and refresh cadence
• Lab Release Assets - lab-specific account and asset assumptions

Opinionated Defaults

For solo-dev apps in this lab:

1. Use store-managed distribution first when it is reasonable. Google Play and Microsoft Store reduce trust, update, and install-support problems.
2. Treat direct Windows downloads as a later optimization unless the app needs GitHub Releases, private distribution, or a non-Store install story.
3. Do not ship a desktop auto-updater until you can protect its signing key and test rollback.
4. Write privacy and data-safety answers from a data-flow inventory, not from memory.
5. Capture screenshots from the real signed release build, not from development mode.
6. Keep policy-sensitive pages fresh. Target SDK deadlines, store asset rules, and review requirements change.