Self-hosted apps

Self-hosted Android apps offer companies and organizations control over their data and allow them to increase their privacy and security. By installing and managing these apps on their own servers, they retain full control over their sensitive information while reducing their dependence on external service providers.

This function is available from Relution Server 5.23

Prerequisites #

• It is necessary to have an active Android developer license.
• The automatically generated Google Play Managed accounts cannot be used when uploading apps via the Managed Play Store, as these accounts are not linked to an active Android developer account and cannot be linked.
• Self-hosted private apps must be configured in the Google Play account with an active Android developer license.
• A Google account must be linked to Relution Home → Settings → Android Enterprise.

App and metadata #

1. the apk file must be uploaded in Relution under Home → Apps → App Store → Add (dialog Add a new app). An existing app can also be used.

   The app version must have the Release status in Relution. The Google Play: Self-hosted apps section is only displayed in the Information tab if the version under Release is selected there.

2. the metadata must be loaded in json format via the Download button in the Google Play: Self-hosted apps section of the app’s Information tab.

   

Create app #

1. The Google Play Console → is opened.

2. A new app is created under Create app

   

3. App details are added

   

   An app icon can be added under Grow > Store presence > Main Store listing in the Graphics section

4. Countries in which the app should be available are added under Release → Production → Add countries / regions

   

5. A new release is created under Release → Production → Releases → Create new release

   

Signing #

1. The signing key is selected via Use a different Key → Opt out of Play App Signing → Opt out

   

   

   

   

2. The json metadata file from Relution Portal Step 2 is uploaded, and Next and Save are clicked

   

3. The change is submitted for review via Send 1 change for review

   

Release app for organization #

1. The Google OrganizationID is copied from the Relution Portal under Home → Settings → Android Enterprise and added to the Google Play Console

   

2. The RSA key of the app is copied and added to the app in Relution Monetize → Monetization Setup

   

3. The RSA key is pasted in Relution into the Google Signature Verification Key field in the Google Play: Self-hosted apps section of the Information tab of the released app version and saved with Save. This step is only needed once per app, not per version.

   

Update existing app #

1. A new version of the apk is uploaded to the Relution App Store under Home → Apps → App Store → App

2. The metadata json is downloaded

   The most recent version in the google app store seems to be x.xx . If the current json has not been uploaded yet, upload it now. It might take some hours until Google updates their site, this warning will then disappear

3. A new app release is created in the Google Play Console

4. The metadata json of the app from Relution is uploaded

5. The change is sent for review

Related topics #

• Android Enterprise enrollment → — Setting up Android Enterprise devices.
• MAM app management in Relution → — Basics of app management.