Creating your application's distribution key

In order to build applications made for the Google Play Store, you need to create a distribution key on your local computer. This key is used to digitally sign your app.

How to do it…

1. Open the terminal if you are using Mac or Linux, or alternatively Command Prompt if you're a Windows user. Change the current directory to the following using the cd command:

   cd /<path to your android sdk>/tools
   
   //e.g. cd /Users/<yourusername>/android-sdk/tools
   

2. To create the key, we need to use the Java key tool located in this directory. In Command Prompt or the terminal, type the following, replacing my-release-key.keystore and alias_name with the key and alias of your application:

   Windows Command Prompt:

   $ keytool -genkey -v -keystore my-release-key.keystore -alias alias_name -keyalg RSA -validity 10000
   

   Mac terminal:

   $ keytool -genkey -v -keystore my-release-key.keystore -alias alias_name -keyalg RSA -validity 10000
   

   For example, our LoanCalc...