Self-hosted apps

Introduction

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.

They cannot be installed remotely by IT administrators on devices with work profiles. Users with a work profile must install these apps manually via Managed Google Play.

Relution Portal

App and metadata

  1. the apk file must be uploaded in Relution under Home > Apps > App Store > Add App. An existing app can also be used.

The app must be in release status in Relution

  1. the metadata must be loaded in json format via the Download button in the app information tab. Relution app store showing metadata download button in app information tab

Google Play Console

Create app

  1. switch to the Google Play Console →

  2. create new app under Create app Google Play Console Create app button for new self-hosted app

  3. add app details Google Play Console app details form for self-hosted app configuration

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

  1. add countries in which the app should be available Release > Production > Add countries / regions Google Play Console country/region availability settings for app release

  2. create new release Release > Production > Releases > Create new release ! Google Play Console create new release button in Production track

Signing

  1. select Signing key Use a different Key > Opt out of Play App Signing > Opt out Google Play Console signing key selection with Opt out of Play App Signing option

Google Play Console app signing opt-out confirmation dialog step 1

Google Play Console app signing opt-out confirmation dialog step 2

Google Play Console app signing opt-out final confirmation step

  1. upload json metadata file from Relution Portal Step 2 klick Next and Save Google Play Console JSON metadata upload from Relution Portal for self-hosted app

  2. submit change for review Send 1 change for review Google Play Console send changes for review button to submit self-hosted app

Release app for organization

  1. copy the Google OrganizationID from the Relution Portal under Home > Settings > Android Enterprise and add it to the Google Play Console Google OrganizationID field in Relution Android Enterprise settings for app release

  2. copy the RSA key of the app and add it to the app in Relution Monetize > Monetization Setup Google Play Console Monetization Setup page showing RSA key for self-hosted app

  3. add and save the RSA key in Relution in the app’s Information tab Relution app Information tab showing RSA key field for self-hosted app configuration

Update existing app

  1. upload new version of the apk to Relution App Store Home > Apps > App Store > App

  2. download metadata json

The most recent version in the google app store seems to be x.xx . If you haven’t uploaded the current json yet, please do so now. It might take some hours until Google updates their site, this warning will then disappear

  1. create a new app release in the `Goolge Play Console
  2. upload metadata json of the app from Relution
  3. send change review