How to Sign your Android applications for release and export apk from eclipse

Sign your Android applications for release and export apk from eclipse

he step of application signing or exporting the apk from eclipse can be very confusing for new developers. But, once you have done, it will be more like a easy for you after that.Here i put some image so that u can do very easily understand it. So, here are the steps that you need to follow.

Step 1 : First of all before the releasing the apk you have to check android manifest file you have written apk version name or version code as shown in image.And also min sdk version and target sdk version properly.

Step 2: Right click on the Android project. From the context menu, select, Android Tools -> Export Signed application package. In the dialog that will open, you will see the name of your project. If you have selected the wrong project, here is a chance to correct yourself. Click on "Next".

Step 3: The next screen is the most complicated screen that you will get in this process. Here, you can have two situations.

a. If you don't have a keystore already, you will need to create one first. Once created, you should preserve this keystore somewhere, safely, so that you don't accidentally delete it. You will need this keystore everytime you want to sign and update your application to the Android Market. Please, please, please, DO NOT LOSE THIS KEYSTORE.

Since, we are creating a new keystore this time, select the second radio, and browse to a location where you want you new keystore to be saved. Enter and confirm a password. Remember this password. Click on "Next".

Enter all the fields in this screen and press enter. Now your keystore will be created. Please rememeber all your passwords. Else, this keystore will be useless for you later.For simplicity, keep both the passwords same.

On this screen, specify a name and location of the apk and click on "Finish". Your signed application package will be created for you in the location you have mentioned here. You can now take this apk and directly upload it to the Android market, or put it on your phone.

b. When you already have a kestore, it's more easier to sign your application. On the second screen, select, "Use existing keystore". Enter the location of the keystore and password. Click on "Next". On the next screen, select you alias from the drop down, enter the alias password, click on "Next". On the next screen, specify a name and location where you want the apk to be created and click "Finish". You are done now.