Publish App

Here you can publish your finished app to the Apple App Store and/or Google Play Store. The publishing wizard guides you step by step through the process.

Overview

Owner Only

The publishing feature is only available for the Owner of the app.

Platform	Store	Requirement
iOS	Apple App Store	Apple Developer Account
Android	Google Play Store	Google Play Developer Account

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Difference: First Publish vs. Updates

Important Difference

Type	Description	How does it work?
First Publish	Publishing your app to stores for the first time	Wizard in this section
App Updates	BLOCQ framework updates for already published apps	Fully automatic via App Updates

After the first successful publication, all further updates are handled automatically through the App Updates feature - no manual intervention required.

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Prerequisites

The wizard guides you through account creation

You don’t have to set up the developer accounts on your own. Right after choosing the platform, the wizard walks you through creating your Apple and Google developer account: short explanations per step, “Open” buttons to the right pages, and cost/duration hints. BLOCQ acts as your tour guide — you create the accounts yourself, BLOCQ never sees your credentials.

For iOS (Apple App Store)

Requirement	Description	Where to get it?
Apple Developer Account	Paid developer account (incl. identity check)	developer.apple.com/enroll ($99/year)
App Store Connect API Key	API key for automatic uploads	App Store Connect → Users and Access → Integrations
Issuer ID	Identifier for your account	App Store Connect → Users and Access → Integrations
Key ID	Identifier for the API key	App Store Connect → Users and Access → Integrations
App listing in App Store Connect	The app must be created with its Bundle ID	App Store Connect → My Apps → New App

No certificates needed

You no longer need to create or upload a Distribution Certificate or Provisioning Profile yourself. They are generated automatically on the BLOCQ build server (via fastlane) during the build. The API key (.p8) plus Issuer ID and Key ID is enough.

Step-by-Step Guide

For a detailed setup guide, see: Set up App Store Connect

For Android (Google Play Store)

Requirement	Description	Where to get it?
Google Play Developer Account	Developer account with Google (incl. identity check)	play.google.com/console/signup ($25 one-time)
Service Account JSON	Service account for automatic uploads	Google Cloud Console → Service Accounts
App listing in Play Store	The app must already be created	Google Play Console → Create app

Step-by-Step Guide

For a detailed setup guide, see: Set up Google Play Console

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Platform-Specific Workflows

Important to Understand

iOS and Android have different workflows for the first publish. This is due to technical limitations of the Google Play API.

iOS: Fully Automatic

The iOS workflow is fully automated:

Wizard → Build → Automatic upload to TestFlight → Done!

After upload, your app automatically appears in TestFlight, where you can test it and submit for review.

Android: First Upload Manual Required

Google Play API Limitation

The Google Play API cannot create new apps. The first AAB upload must be done manually in the Play Console. This is a limitation of Google, not BLOCQ.

The Android workflow for first publish:

Wizard → Build → Download AAB file → Manual upload to Play Console

After the first publication, all further updates are fully automatic!

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The Publishing Wizard

1. Open the Admin Dashboard
2. Tap on Publish App
3. Select platform(s): iOS, Android or Both
4. Choose your deep-link subdomain (e.g. go, share, read)
5. Set up accounts: the wizard guides you through creating your Apple/Google developer account and you confirm per provider once it’s done (see next section)
6. Optional: if Firebase is active, you set up your Firebase project + service account here
7. Follow the guided wizard for each platform and upload the required files
8. Optional: Generate AI-optimized store texts with ASO Metadata
9. Review the summary (admin PIN, email, DPA)
10. Start the publication

Set up accounts (guided)

After choosing platform and subdomain, the wizard shows an account card for each selected platform with a status (Not started / In progress / Done) and a cost/duration hint.

1. Tap a card (e.g. Apple Developer Account) to open the guided instructions.
2. Work through the short steps and use the “Open” buttons (Apple Developer app / browser, or Play Console) to create the account on the official sites.
3. Need more detail? Open “Detailed guide” (Set up App Store Connect or Set up Google Play Console).
4. Once your account and the app listing exist, tap “Mark as done”. The card turns green.
5. Only when all accounts are done and the privacy policy is confirmed does the Continue button become active.

Your progress is saved

You can leave the app, finish setting up your account externally, and come back later — the wizard remembers where you are per provider.

Just testing? (Android)

For testing only, Google offers a free account without ID verification (distribution to up to 20 devices). The hint appears right in the guided Google instructions.

Generate Store Texts with AI

After setting up store credentials, you can automatically generate optimized app descriptions, keywords, and titles for all languages. More about ASO Metadata →

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iOS Publishing

Step 1: API Key

File	Format	Description
API Key	.p8	App Store Connect API key

Step 2: Account Information

Field	Description
Issuer ID	Your account ID from App Store Connect
Key ID	ID of the uploaded API key

Certificates are created automatically

You do not need to upload a Distribution Certificate or Provisioning Profile yourself — the BLOCQ build server generates them automatically during the build (via fastlane). The API key (.p8) plus Issuer ID and Key ID is enough.

No Passwords Required

The publishing process is designed so that you don’t need to enter passwords or sensitive login data.

After the Build: TestFlight

After a successful build, your app is automatically uploaded to App Store Connect. You’ll then see in the app:

1. Success message with Apple logo
2. Processing notice - Apple processes your build (10-30 minutes)
3. Next steps for TestFlight

1. Wait for the email from Apple (approx. 10-30 min)
2. Open App Store Connect
3. Go to TestFlight → Your build
4. Answer the compliance questions (encryption)
5. Add testers or submit for review

TestFlight Link

You can open App Store Connect directly from the BLOCQ app.

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Android Publishing (First Time)

Step 1: Service Account

File	Format	Description
Service Account JSON	.json	Service account from Google Cloud Console

Step 2: App Information

Field	Description
Package Name	Your app’s package name (e.g., com.example.app)

After the Build: Download AAB

Since the Google Play API cannot create new apps, you must manually upload the first AAB file:

1. Build completed - You see a success message
2. Download button - Download the AAB file
3. Instructions - Follow the steps for manual upload

1. Tap Download AAB in the app
2. The file is downloaded to your device
3. Open the Google Play Console on your computer
4. Go to your app → Release → Production (or Internal Testing)
5. Create a new release
6. Upload the AAB file
7. Fill in the release information
8. Submit for review
9. Confirm in the BLOCQ app that you’ve uploaded

Recommendation: Internal Testing First

Upload your AAB to the Internal Testing Track first. This way you can test the app before it goes public.

After Confirmation

Once you confirm in the BLOCQ app that you’ve uploaded the AAB:

• The status changes to Published
• Future updates are handled fully automatically via App Updates

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Both Platforms Simultaneously

If you publish iOS and Android at the same time:

Platform	What happens
iOS	Automatic upload to TestFlight ✓
Android	AAB ready for download → Manual upload

You’ll then see a combined view:

• iOS success at the top with TestFlight info
• Android download with instructions for Play Console

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Publishing Status

Status	Symbol	Meaning
Submitted	⏳	Your app was sent to the BLOCQ server
Processing	🔨	The app is being built
Build Complete	📦	The build is finished
Ready for Download	⬇️	AAB is ready for download (Android)
At Apple	🍎	App was uploaded to TestFlight (iOS)
Awaiting Confirmation	⏳	Waiting for your upload confirmation
Published	✅	Successfully completed
Failed	❌	An error occurred

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What Happens During Publishing?

Step	What happens	Duration
1. Create package	App configuration and media are packaged	~2 min
2. Upload to server	The package is sent to the BLOCQ build server	~5 min
3. Build app	The server creates the finished app files	15-45 min
4. Delivery	iOS → TestFlight, Android → Download	~5 min
5. Done	You receive a notification	-

Processing Time

The build process can take 15-60 minutes depending on load. You can continue using the app normally during this time.

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After Publishing

Store Review

Store	Review Duration	What is checked?
Apple App Store	1-7 days	Guideline compliance, security, functionality
Google Play Store	1-3 days	Guideline compliance, security, content

Future Updates

After the first successful publication, all further updates are handled automatically:

1. Go to Admin → App Updates
2. Click on Request Update
3. The build is automatically created and uploaded to both stores

→ More: App Updates

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If Rejected by Apple/Google

If Apple or Google rejects your app:

What to Do if Rejected?

1. Check the rejection reasons in App Store Connect / Play Console
2. Fix the mentioned issues in your app
3. Use the “Report Rejection” button in BLOCQ
4. The publishing status will be reset
5. Start the process again

You’ll find the “Report Rejection” button in the status view after a publication.

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If Build Fails

If the build process fails:

1. Check the error details in the status area
2. Fix the problem (e.g., wrong certificate)
3. Start the process again with Retry

Common Error Causes

Error	Cause	Solution
Invalid certificate	Certificate expired or invalid	Create and upload new certificate
Wrong Bundle ID	Provisioning profile doesn’t match	Create profile with correct Bundle ID
API key expired	Key revoked or expired	Create new key in App Store Connect
Service account missing permission	Wrong role in Play Store	Assign “Admin (all permissions)” role

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Tips

Keep Certificates Safe

Store your certificates and API keys in a safe place. You’ll need them for future publications.

Internal Testing First (Android)

Upload your first AAB to the Internal Testing Track. This way you can test the app before it goes public.

Use TestFlight (iOS)

Use TestFlight extensively before submitting for official review. This helps you find problems early.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have to manually upload the AAB for Android?

The Google Play API doesn’t allow automatic creation of new apps. This is a technical limitation of Google that also affects other platforms like FlutterFlow. After the first manual upload, all further updates are automatic.

Why don’t I see “Publish App”?

This feature is only visible for the Owner of the app. If you’re an administrator or editor, you don’t have access.

How long does publishing take overall?

Phase	Duration
Build process	15-60 minutes
Google Play review	1-3 days
Apple App Store review	1-7 days

Can I cancel the publication?

Once publishing has started, it cannot be cancelled. However, you can publish a new update as soon as the process is complete.

What does publishing cost?

Publishing through BLOCQ is included in the subscription. However, you need your own developer accounts:

• Apple: $99/year
• Google: $25 one-time

Is my data transferred securely?

Yes, all data is transferred encrypted. Passwords are never stored - authentication is done exclusively via API keys.

What’s the difference to App Updates?

Feature	First Publish	App Updates
Purpose	Publish app for the first time	Apply BLOCQ updates
Where?	Admin → Publish App	Admin → App Updates
Android	Manual AAB upload required	Fully automatic
iOS	Automatic to TestFlight	Fully automatic

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Related Topics

ASO Metadata AI-generated store texts for better discoverability

Set up Google Play Console Android Store account and Service Account setup

Set up App Store Connect iOS certificates and API keys setup

App Updates BLOCQ framework updates for already published apps