Broke up publishing into smaller parts - publishing, ios, android, checklist and conclusion. (#18)

Author: olivegamestudio

articles/tutorials/advanced/MobileDeployment/04_publishing/index.md

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+---
+title: "05: Publishing to Google Play Store"
+description: "Learn how to publish your MonoGame mobile application to the Google Play Store with step-by-step guidance."
+---
+
+# Publishing Overview
+
+This chapter covers the complete publishing process for both major mobile app stores. You will learn the requirements and workflows for getting your MonoGame app successfully published on Android platforms.
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+Before publishing, ensure you have:
+- Completed development and testing of your cross-platform MonoGame app
+- Google Play Developer account (a one-time fee)
+- App icons, screenshots, and store assets prepared
+- Final build configurations tested on physical devices
+
+---
+
+# Google Play Store Publishing
+
+## Pre-Publishing Preparation
+
+### Final Android Build Configuration
+
+Ensure your Android project is properly configured for Google Play submission:
+
+#### Project Properties
+
+```xml
+<SupportedOSPlatformVersion>23</SupportedOSPlatformVersion>
+<ApplicationId>com.companyname.DungeonSlime.Android</ApplicationId>
+<ApplicationVersion>1</ApplicationVersion>
+<ApplicationDisplayVersion>1.0</ApplicationDisplayVersion>
+```
+
+#### Activity Configuration
+
+Verify your main activity is properly configured:
+
+```csharp
+[Activity(
+    Label = "@string/app_name",
+    MainLauncher = true,
+    Icon = "@drawable/icon",
+    AlwaysRetainTaskState = true,
+    LaunchMode = LaunchMode.SingleInstance,
+    ScreenOrientation = ScreenOrientation.SensorLandscape,
+    ConfigurationChanges = ConfigChanges.Orientation | ConfigChanges.Keyboard | 
+                           ConfigChanges.KeyboardHidden | ConfigChanges.ScreenSize
+)]
+```
+
+### Required Assets
+
+#### App Icons
+
+Ensure you have app icons for all density buckets:
+
+- **mdpi:** 48x48 px
+- **hdpi:** 72x72 px  
+- **xhdpi:** 96x96 px
+- **xxhdpi:** 144x144 px
+- **xxxhdpi:** 192x192 px
+
+#### Feature Graphic
+
+- **Size:** 1024 x 500 px
+- **Format:** PNG or JPEG
+- **Purpose:** Featured in Google Play Store
+
+#### Screenshots
+
+Required for each supported device type:
+
+- **Phone:** Minimum 320px, maximum 3840px
+- **7-inch Tablet:** Same requirements
+- **10-inch Tablet:** Same requirements
+- **Android TV:** 1920 x 1080 px
+- **Wear OS:** 384 x 384 px
+
+### Release Build Configuration
+
+#### Signing Configuration
+
+#### Creating a Keystore
+```bash
+# Generate new keystore (first time only)
+keytool -genkey -v -keystore your-app.keystore -alias your-key-alias -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 10000
+
+# Verify keystore
+keytool -list -v -keystore your-app.keystore
+```
+
+**Important:** Keep your keystore file secure and backed up. Lost keystores cannot be recovered and prevent app updates.
+
+## Google Play Console Setup
+
+### Creating Your Developer Account
+
+**Register at** [play.google.com/console](https://play.google.com/console)
+
+### Creating Your App
+
+1. **Create App** in Google Play Console
+   
+2. **App Details:**
+   - App Name: Your app's display name
+   - Default Language: Primary market language
+   - App or Game: Select "Game" for MonoGame apps
+   - Free or Paid: Choose pricing model
+
+3. **Declarations:**
+   - App Content: Age rating and content
+   - Target Audience: Age groups
+   - News App: Usually "No" for games
+
+## Building Release APK/AAB
+
+### Android App Bundle (Recommended)
+
+Google Play prefers AAB format for optimized delivery:
+
+```bash
+# Build AAB using .NET CLI
+dotnet publish -f net8.0-android -c Release
+
+# Or using MSBuild
+msbuild YourApp.Android.csproj /p:Configuration=Release /p:AndroidPackageFormat=aab
+```
+
+### APK Build (Alternative)
+
+```bash
+# Build APK
+dotnet publish -f net8.0-android -c Release /p:AndroidPackageFormat=apk
+```
+
+| ![Figure 4-7: Visual Studio Archive](images/android/android_release.png) |
+| :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: |
+|                       **Figure 4-7: Visual Studio Archive** |  
+
+### Verification Steps
+
+Before upload, verify your build:
+
+```bash
+# Check APK contents
+aapt dump badging your-app.apk
+
+# Verify signing
+jarsigner -verify -verbose -certs your-app.apk
+
+# Test installation
+adb install your-app.apk
+```