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Google Play

How to Submit Your App to Google Play Store (2026 Guide)

· 9 min read

Publishing a Flutter app to Google Play involves 7 steps: registering a Google Play Console account, creating a keystore and signing your app, building the AAB, completing the 14-day closed testing requirement (for new personal accounts), filling the Data Safety form, creating the store listing, and submitting for review. This guide covers each step.

Prerequisites

  • A Google account
  • $25 for the one-time Play Console registration fee
  • A Flutter project that builds successfully
  • App icon (512x512 PNG)
  • Feature graphic (1024x500 PNG)
  • Phone screenshots (minimum 2, 1080x1920)

Step 1: Register for Google Play Console

Go to play.google.com/console and register. The one-time fee is $25. Personal accounts require identity verification. Organization accounts require D-U-N-S number verification.

Step 2: Create a keystore and sign your app

Generate a release keystore:

keytool -genkey -v -keystore ~/upload-keystore.jks -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 10000 -alias upload

Configure signing in android/app/build.gradle with the keystore. Never commit the keystore or its password to version control.

Step 3: Build the AAB

flutter build appbundle --release

This creates build/app/outputs/bundle/release/app-release.aab. Google Play requires AAB format, not APK.

Step 4: Complete the 14-day closed testing requirement

If you have a new personal Play Console account, you must run a closed test before submitting to production:

  • Create a closed testing track
  • Invite 20+ testers
  • Upload your app to the closed track
  • Run the test for 14 consecutive days
  • Collect feedback and fix issues

Organization accounts are exempt from this requirement. See our 14-Day Testing Rule guide for details.

Step 5: Fill the Data Safety form

The Data Safety form is required for all apps. You must disclose what data your app collects, how it is used, and whether it is shared with third parties. The form must match your actual SDK behavior and privacy policy.

See our Data Safety Form guide for a complete walkthrough.

Step 6: Create the store listing

Fill in your app's store listing:

  • App name and description
  • App icon (512x512)
  • Feature graphic (1024x500)
  • Phone screenshots (minimum 2)
  • App category
  • Content rating questionnaire
  • Target audience and content policy
  • Privacy policy URL

See our Flutter Play Store Launch Checklist for the complete list.

Step 7: Submit for review

Select your closed testing track, review the release details, and click Start rollout to Production. Google typically reviews within 1-3 days. You'll receive an email when the app is approved or if changes are needed.

Common rejection reasons on Google Play

  • Data Safety form mismatch — SDKs collect data not declared in the form
  • Missing privacy policy — URL must be live and accessible
  • Not completing 14-day testing — new personal accounts must complete this
  • Violating content policy — inappropriate content or misleading metadata
  • Broken core functionality — app crashes or doesn't work as described

Before you submit

Run a free Launch Score check to audit your app for common rejection reasons across both stores.

Run your free Launch Score

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to publish on Google Play?

Google Play Console requires a one-time $25 registration fee. There is no per-app submission fee and no annual renewal fee.

How long does Google Play review take?

Google Play typically reviews apps within 1-3 days. New developer accounts may take 3-7 days for the first few submissions. Updates are usually faster.

What is the 14-day closed testing requirement?

New personal Google Play Console accounts must run a closed test with 20+ testers for 14 consecutive days before submitting to production. Organization accounts are exempt.