How to Publish an App on Google Play: Step-by-Step (2026)
Publishing on Google Play follows a different path from the App Store — a one-time fee instead of an annual one, an App Bundle instead of an archive, and a heavier set of policy declarations. This 2026 step-by-step walks the full path from a Play Console account to a production release.
The 5 Publishing Steps
- Create a Play Console account: Register with a one-time $25 fee and complete identity verification.
- Create the app: Specify default language, app title (≤30 chars), category, and pricing.
- Complete store listing: Provide short description (80 chars), full description (4000 chars), app icon (512×512), feature graphic (1024×500), and screenshots (2–8).
- Fill policy declarations: Content rating, target audience, Data safety form, and ads declaration.
- Upload build and roll out: Upload your Android App Bundle (.aab) and submit to production.
Key Differences from the App Store
Google indexes your full long description for search rankings. In addition, you can update your store listing assets (like screenshots and text) independently of submitting a new binary build.
Схожі ASO посібники
- Google Play screenshot requirements: exact sizes for the screenshots you upload.
- A/B test your screenshots: learn how to test and optimize with store listing experiments.
Часті запитання
How much does it cost to publish on Google Play?
Google charges a one-time $25 registration fee for a Play Developer account — unlike Apple's $99 annual fee. After that, publishing apps is free; Google takes a service fee only on paid apps and in-app purchases.
How long does Google Play review take?
Review commonly takes a few days, and longer for brand-new developer accounts. Plan for several days on a first submission rather than the same-day turnaround you might expect.
APK or AAB?
Google Play requires the Android App Bundle (.aab) format for new apps, not a raw APK. Play generates optimized APKs per device from your bundle.