Android Developer Verification - Package Name Registration

How to register an Android package name for developer verification: provide the package details, register your signing key, prove ownership by uploading a signed APK containing the adi-registration.properties file, and track the result. The process differs slightly depending on whether your package name is new (never seen on Android) or existing (already has installs). This guide covers both.

Prerequisites

Before starting the deployment process, ensure you have:

  • The release signing key and keystore credentials (store password, key alias, key password)
  • JDK installed (keytool is included)
  • Google Play Console access with identity verification already completed
  • Your app's SHA-256 certificate fingerprint (how to obtain it)

Registration

Step 1: Provide package name details

Common to both new and existing package names.

  1. Open Google Play Console and go to the Android developer verification page.
  2. On the Package names tab, select Register package name.
  3. Enter the package name you want to register.
  4. Provide a friendly name for easy identification within Play Console.
  5. Select Next to proceed.
XpressHive HR dashboard showing attendance and payroll analytics
XpressHive HR dashboard showing attendance and payroll analytics

Step 2: Register Your Signing Key

The next step depends on whether your package name is new or already existing on Android.

A. New Package Name

For package names that have never been used on Android, you only need to provide the public certificate from your signing key.

  1. Select Add key
  2. Provide the public key certificate
  3. Paste or upload your signing certificate
  4. Click Add key to continue
B. Existing Package Name

For applications that already have installs on Android, you must select an eligible signing key fingerprint.

  1. Select Select key
  2. View the list of eligible certificate fingerprints
  3. Search or scan for your certificate fingerprint
  4. Select the correct signing key
  5. Click Add key
XpressHive HR dashboard showing attendance and payroll analytics
Important:

Eligibility follows Google's package-sharing rules such as majority key holder verification, 50+ installs requirement, or first-come-first-served policy.

If your certificate fingerprint is not listed as eligible:

  • Expand the Other Keys list
  • Request permission to use the package name
  • Provide a proper rationale to Google
  • Wait for Google's verification review

Google may reject the request if ownership or eligibility requirements are not satisfied.

Step 3: Prove Private Key Ownership (Existing Packages)

Existing package names require a signed APK as proof of private key ownership.

Important: The APK must be signed using the private key that matches the registered signing certificate.
3.1 Copy the Snippet
  1. Select Upload APK
  2. Open the ownership verification flow
  3. Review the displayed package information
  4. Copy the generated verification snippet

The verification screen displays:

  • Package name
  • Selected SHA-256 certificate
  • Signing guidance
  • Unique verification snippet
Note: The snippet is uniquely tied to your Google Play developer account.
XpressHive HR dashboard showing attendance and payroll analytics
3.2 Create adi-registration.properties File

Create the following file inside your Flutter project:

android/app/src/main/assets/adi-registration.properties
  • Create the assets folder if it does not exist
  • Filename must be exactly adi-registration.properties
  • Do not add a .txt extension
  • Paste the copied verification snippet into the file
  • Save the file
Warning: The file path must be exact. If the file is placed in the wrong location, ownership verification will fail.
3.3 Build & Sign the Release APK

Build the signed release APK using your registered signing key.

flutter build apk
Generated APK Location
build/app/outputs/flutter-apk

The APK must be signed using:

  • Gradle signingConfigs
  • Or jarsigner
Note: The APK signature acts as proof of ownership for the package name.
Delegated Signing Keys

If your signing key is managed by a third-party platform (for example Samsung Galaxy Store):

  1. Upload APK/AAB to the third-party platform
  2. Download the final signed APK
  3. Use the downloaded APK for verification upload
3.4 Upload APK to Play Console
  1. Return to the verification screen
  2. Select Upload
  3. Select the signed release APK
  4. Upload the APK file

Google Play will:

  • Verify the APK signature
  • Validate file contents
  • Confirm ownership verification
XpressHive HR dashboard showing attendance and payroll analytics

Step 4: Track the Registration

After completing verification, Google Play formally registers the package name and links it to your verified developer identity.

  • You will receive an email confirmation after successful registration
  • Monitor registration and signing key status from the Android Developer Verification page
Troubleshooting
Issue Cause Fix
File not found File placed in project root instead of assets folder Move the file to: android/app/src/main/assets/
Signature mismatch APK signed with wrong or debug key Sign the APK using the private key matching the registered certificate
Wrong filename File saved with .txt extension Rename the file exactly to: adi-registration.properties
Key not eligible Certificate fingerprint not listed Expand other keys and submit a verification request with rationale
Note:

For Expo or managed workflow projects, the default JavaScript bundler does not automatically copy files into the native Android assets folder.

Use a config plugin or prebuild process to ensure the file is copied into: android/app/src/main/assets/ inside the final APK build.

Reference

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