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App Deployment

Android Studio​

Device Debugging & Deployment​

  1. QR Code Debugging (Wireless ADB):

    • Enable Developer Options on the device.
    • In Android Studio: 
      adb pair <IP:Port>  # Scan QR code from device's "Pair using Wi-Fi" option
      adb connect <IP:Port>
    • Deploy directly to the device without USB.

  2. Build & Sign APK/AAB

    ./gradlew assembleRelease  # Generate APK
    ./gradlew bundleRelease    # Generate App Bundle (AAB)
    • Sign with a keystore: 
      android {
        signingConfigs {
          release {
            storeFile file("my-release-key.jks")
            storePassword "password"
            keyAlias "alias"
            keyPassword "password"
          }
        }
      }

  3. Deployment Tools

    • Firebase App Distribution: Beta testing for Android/iOS.
    • Play Store: Use Internal Testing track for staged rollouts.

Apple System (iOS/macOS)​

Xcode Setup & Debugging​

  1. Device Pairing

    • Connect via USB or Wireless Debugging (Settings > Developer > Wireless Debugging).
    • Use Quick Look in Xcode’s debugger to inspect UI elements.

  2. Code Signing

    • Automatically manage certificates/profiles in Xcode: 
      // Xcode -> Signing & Capabilities -> Automatically manage signing
    • Manual signing for enterprise apps:
      Upload .ipa via Apple Configurator 2.

  3. App Store Deployment

    • Archive the app in Xcode (Product > Archive).
    • Submit via App Store Connect or automate with: 
      xcodebuild -exportArchive -archivePath <path> -exportOptionsPlist ExportOptions.plist

  4. TestFlight

    • Distribute beta builds to testers via Apple’s TestFlight platform.

Cross-Platform Deployment Tools​

Hybrid Frameworks​

  • Flutter: 
    flutter build apk         # Android
    flutter build ios         # iOS (requires Xcode)
  • React Native: 
    npx react-native run-android
    npx react-native run-ios

CI/CD Automation​

  • Android:
    • GitHub Actions with android-build workflow.
    • Bitrise for Play Store uploads.
  • iOS:
    • Fastlane for automated screenshots and App Store submissions: 
      lane :beta do
        build_app(scheme: "MyApp")
        upload_to_testflight
      end
    • Xcode Cloud (Apple’s native CI/CD).

Monitoring & Analytics​

ToolPurpose
Firebase CrashlyticsReal-time crash reporting
SentryCross-platform error tracking
New RelicPerformance monitoring

Pro Tips​

  • Use environment variables for API keys (e.g., .env files).
  • Test on emulators (Android Studio) and simulators (Xcode) before physical devices.
  • For Apple deployments, renew APNs certificates annually.

Learning Resources​