Can Google Play App Signing be used with Unity? (and is it a good idea?)

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I'm working on my first android game, I'm trying to understand all that has to be done in order to place a game on the play store, but I'm not sure about a lot of things.

I think I kinda understand how the app signing works, but I read in the google play documentation about the "Google Play App Signing" (see here: https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/7384423) And it seems like they recomend to use that, but I don't know if that works correctly with Unity.

So can anyone tell me what the best practice is?

Also, should I use the same key for all my games or a unique one for each? (Or is only one way possible with Unity / Google Play App Signing ?)

Answer 1

Answer by LilGames · Nov 28, 2017 at 02:26 PM

Northstar79 did answer one part of your question (because really, you asked two or three questions up there).

Can Unity use Google app signing? Yes. Northstar79 said as much.

Is it a good idea? It depends. The point of signing with Google's key is to "lock" delivery of your app to Google Play's store. If your app is free and you don't mind the APK being uploaded to other stores by anyone who feels like it, then just self-sign. (Why would you want to do this? Well one scenario is if your app is free with ads and you'd like it to spread to as many places for download as possible so get the most downloads and app views possible. If your app is paid then Google signing is added security that only Google Play can deliver and update that app).

One key for all or unique? Are we talking key or signing certificate? IMO use a unique signing certificate for each app, but one key is fine. (Some will argue that is not as secure as a unique key per app/cert).

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Steven-1 · Nov 28, 2017 at 02:52 PM 0

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Thanks for the anwers, I didn't get from Northstar79's answer that I the key/keystore created by Unity works with Google Play App Signing, I tought he just explained how to sign the app in Unity, which I already knew. (btw, I wasn't the one who downvoted his answer, I don't generally do that) Sorry if I misunderstood, but like I said, I'm completely new to the whole signing process, so aside from not understanding a lot of it, I also don't know all of the ter$$anonymous$$ology.

And I'm confused about the signing certificate bit, what is a signing certficate? When you say key and signing certficate, it sounds like you are talking about what Unity calls keystore and key respectively, or at least that's how I understood it. Is that the case?

LilGames Steven-1 · Nov 28, 2017 at 03:22 PM 0

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Oh I see what you are getting at. You can use the Unity keys/signing with Google Play. OR you can use the Google generated one (that they manage on their end).

I might be mixing in some iOS ter$$anonymous$$ology here, but basically you "sign" an app with a "certificate" generated from a "key". (And there's also your password. ;) )

Some better info: https://answers.unity.com/questions/326812/signing-android-application.html https://forum.unity.com/threads/android-signing.62137/ https://answers.unity.com/questions/1096300/hello-i-have-a-big-probleme.html

Sorry if this stil leaves you with partial info. The bottom line is you have the choice whether you want to manage your own keystore/keys/signing certificate generated by Unity or if you want it kept on Google's end and use theirs.

Can Google Play App Signing be used with Unity? (and is it a good idea?)

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