---

name: app-store-deployment description: Deploy iOS and Android apps to App Store and Google Play. Covers signing, versioning, build configuration, submission process, and release management.

App Store Deployment

Overview

Publish mobile applications to official app stores with proper code signing, versioning, testing, and submission procedures.

When to Use

• Publishing apps to App Store and Google Play
• Managing app versions and releases
• Configuring signing certificates and provisioning profiles
• Automating build and deployment processes
• Managing app updates and rollouts

Instructions

1. iOS Deployment Setup

# Create development and distribution signing certificates
# Step 1: Generate Certificate Signing Request (CSR) in Keychain Access
# Step 2: Create App ID in Apple Developer Portal
# Step 3: Create provisioning profiles (Development, Distribution)

# Xcode configuration for signing
# Set Team ID, Bundle Identifier, and select provisioning profiles
# Build Settings:
# - Code Sign Identity: "iPhone Distribution"
# - Provisioning Profile: Select appropriate profile
# - Code Sign Style: Automatic (recommended)

# Info.plist settings
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
  <key>CFBundleShortVersionString</key>
  <string>1.0.0</string>
  <key>CFBundleVersion</key>
  <string>1</string>
  <key>NSAppTransportSecurity</key>
  <dict>
    <key>NSAllowsArbitraryLoads</key>
    <false/>
  </dict>
  <key>NSUserTrackingUsageDescription</key>
  <string>We use tracking for analytics</string>
</dict>
</plist>

# Build for App Store submission
xcodebuild -workspace MyApp.xcworkspace \
  -scheme MyApp \
  -configuration Release \
  -archivePath ~/Desktop/MyApp.xcarchive \
  archive

# Export for distribution
xcodebuild -exportArchive \
  -archivePath ~/Desktop/MyApp.xcarchive \
  -exportOptionsPlist ExportOptions.plist \
  -exportPath ~/Desktop/MyApp

# ExportOptions.plist
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
  <key>teamID</key>
  <string>YOUR_TEAM_ID</string>
  <key>signingStyle</key>
  <string>automatic</string>
  <key>method</key>
  <string>app-store</string>
</dict>
</plist>

# Upload to App Store
xcrun altool --upload-app --file MyApp.ipa \
  --type ios \
  -u your-apple-id@example.com \
  -p your-app-specific-password

2. Android Deployment Setup

// build.gradle configuration
android {
  compileSdkVersion 33

  defaultConfig {
    applicationId "com.example.myapp"
    minSdkVersion 21
    targetSdkVersion 33
    versionCode 1
    versionName "1.0.0"
  }

  signingConfigs {
    release {
      storeFile file("keystore.jks")
      storePassword System.getenv("KEYSTORE_PASSWORD")
      keyAlias System.getenv("KEY_ALIAS")
      keyPassword System.getenv("KEY_PASSWORD")
    }
  }

  buildTypes {
    release {
      signingConfig signingConfigs.release
      minifyEnabled true
      shrinkResources true
      proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
    }
  }
}

dependencies {
  implementation 'com.google.android.play:core:1.10.3'
}

# Create keystore for app signing
keytool -genkey -v \
  -keystore ~/my-release-key.jks \
  -keyalg RSA \
  -keysize 2048 \
  -validity 10950 \
  -alias my-key-alias

# Build App Bundle
./gradlew bundleRelease

# Build APK for testing
./gradlew assembleRelease

# Verify APK signature
jarsigner -verify -verbose -certs app/build/outputs/apk/release/app-release.apk

3. Version Management

# Version tracking
# package.json
{
  "name": "myapp",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "build": {
    "ios": { "buildNumber": "1" },
    "android": { "versionCode": 1 }
  }
}

# Increment version script
#!/bin/bash
CURRENT=$(jq -r '.version' package.json)
IFS='.' read -ra VER <<< "$CURRENT"

MAJOR=${VER[0]}
MINOR=${VER[1]}
PATCH=${VER[2]}

PATCH=$((PATCH + 1))
NEW_VERSION="$MAJOR.$MINOR.$PATCH"

jq ".version = \"$NEW_VERSION\"" package.json > package.json.tmp
mv package.json.tmp package.json

echo "Version updated to $NEW_VERSION"

4. Automated CI/CD with GitHub Actions

name: Deploy to App Stores

on:
  push:
    tags:
      - 'v*'

jobs:
  build-ios:
    runs-on: macos-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v3

      - name: Setup Node
        uses: actions/setup-node@v3
        with:
          node-version: '18'

      - name: Install dependencies
        run: npm install

      - name: Build iOS App
        run: |
          cd ios
          pod install
          xcodebuild -workspace MyApp.xcworkspace \
            -scheme MyApp \
            -configuration Release \
            -archivePath ~/Desktop/MyApp.xcarchive \
            archive

      - name: Upload to App Store
        env:
          APPLE_ID: ${{ secrets.APPLE_ID }}
          APPLE_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.APPLE_PASSWORD }}
        run: |
          xcrun altool --upload-app \
            --file MyApp.ipa \
            --type ios \
            -u $APPLE_ID \
            -p $APPLE_PASSWORD

  build-android:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v3

      - name: Setup Java
        uses: actions/setup-java@v3
        with:
          java-version: '11'

      - name: Setup Node
        uses: actions/setup-node@v3
        with:
          node-version: '18'

      - name: Install dependencies
        run: npm install

      - name: Build Android App
        env:
          KEYSTORE_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.KEYSTORE_PASSWORD }}
          KEY_ALIAS: ${{ secrets.KEY_ALIAS }}
          KEY_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.KEY_PASSWORD }}
        run: |
          cd android
          ./gradlew bundleRelease

      - name: Upload to Google Play
        uses: r0adkll/upload-google-play@v1
        with:
          serviceAccountJsonPlainText: ${{ secrets.PLAY_STORE_SERVICE_ACCOUNT }}
          packageName: com.example.myapp
          releaseFiles: android/app/build/outputs/bundle/release/app.aab
          track: internal
          status: completed

  create-release:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    needs: [build-ios, build-android]
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v3

      - name: Create GitHub Release
        uses: actions/create-release@v1
        env:
          GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
        with:
          tag_name: ${{ github.ref }}
          release_name: Release ${{ github.ref }}
          body: Release notes here
          draft: false
          prerelease: false

5. Pre-Deployment Checklist

# iOS Checklist
- [ ] Increment version (CFBundleShortVersionString)
- [ ] Update build number (CFBundleVersion)
- [ ] Run all tests (>80% coverage)
- [ ] Test on minimum iOS version
- [ ] Review crash logs
- [ ] Check for deprecated APIs
- [ ] Verify all permissions documented
- [ ] Test offline functionality
- [ ] Verify app icon (1024x1024)
- [ ] Set privacy policy URL
- [ ] Archive and verify build
- [ ] Test on real devices

# Android Checklist
- [ ] Increment versionCode and versionName
- [ ] Run all tests (>80% coverage)
- [ ] Test on API 21+ devices
- [ ] Verify navigation
- [ ] Check battery optimization
- [ ] Enable app signing
- [ ] Build release AAB
- [ ] Verify ProGuard obfuscation
- [ ] Test landscape/portrait
- [ ] Upload screenshots
- [ ] Add release notes
- [ ] Test on multiple devices

Best Practices

✅ DO

• Use signed certificates and provisioning profiles
• Automate builds with CI/CD
• Test on real devices before submission
• Keep version numbers consistent
• Document deployment procedures
• Use environment-specific configurations
• Implement proper error tracking
• Monitor app performance post-launch
• Plan rollout strategy
• Keep backup of signing materials
• Test offline functionality
• Maintain release notes

❌ DON'T

• Commit signing materials to git
• Skip device testing
• Release untested code
• Ignore store policies
• Use hardcoded API keys
• Skip security reviews
• Deploy without monitoring
• Ignore crash reports
• Make large version jumps
• Use invalid certificates
• Deploy without backups
• Release during holidays