summaryrefslogtreecommitdiffstats
path: root/docs/html/distribute/googleplay/developer-console.jd
diff options
context:
space:
mode:
Diffstat (limited to 'docs/html/distribute/googleplay/developer-console.jd')
-rw-r--r--docs/html/distribute/googleplay/developer-console.jd600
1 files changed, 600 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/docs/html/distribute/googleplay/developer-console.jd b/docs/html/distribute/googleplay/developer-console.jd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6263431
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/html/distribute/googleplay/developer-console.jd
@@ -0,0 +1,600 @@
+page.title=Developer Console
+page.metaDescription=Learn about the Developer Console, your home for app publishing on Google Play.
+page.image=/distribute/images/developer-console.jpg
+Xnonavpage=true
+
+@jd:body
+
+ <div id="qv-wrapper">
+ <div id="qv">
+ <h2>Publishing Features</h2>
+ <ol>
+ <li><a href="#allapps">All Applications</a></li>
+ <li><a href="#account-details">Your Account Details</a></li>
+ <li><a href="#merchant-account">Linking Your Merchant Account</a></li>
+ <li><a href="#multiple-user-accounts">Multiple User Accounts</a></li>
+ <li><a href="#alpha-beta">Alpha and Beta Testing</a></li>
+ <li><a href="#staged-rollouts">Staged Rollouts</a></li>
+ <li><a href="#multiple-apk">Multiple APK Support</a></li>
+ <li><a href="#selling-pricing-your-products">Selling and Pricing</a></li>
+ <li><a href="#in-app-products">In-App Products</a></li>
+ <li><a href="#distribution-controls">Distribution Controls</a></li>
+ <li><a href="#reviews-reports">User Reviews, Crash Reports</a></li>
+ <li><a href="#app-stats">App Stats</a></li>
+ <li><a href="#related-resources">Related Resources</a></li>
+ </ol>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>
+ The <a href="https://play.google.com/apps/publish/">Google Play Developer
+ Console</a> is your home for publishing operations and tools.
+</p>
+<!-- <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-dc-startscreen.jpg" style="width:480px;" /> -->
+<img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-devconsole-home.png" style="width:480px;">
+<p>
+ Upload apps, build your product pages, configure prices and distribution, and
+ publish. You can manage all phases of publishing on Google Play through the
+ Developer Console, from any web browser.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ Once you've <a href=
+ "{@docRoot}distribute/googleplay/start.html">registered</a> and received
+ verification by email, you can sign in to your Google Play Developer Console.
+</p>
+
+<div class="headerLine clearfloat">
+ <h1 id="allapps">
+ All Applications
+ </h1>
+
+ <hr>
+</div>
+
+<p>
+ Start in All Applications, which gives you a quick overview of your apps,
+ lets you jump to stats, reviews, and product details, or upload a new app.
+</p>
+
+<div style="padding:1em 0em 0em 0em;">
+ <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-dc-home.png" class="border-img">
+</div>
+
+<div class="headerLine clearfloat" style="margin-top:-6px">
+ <h1 id="account-details">
+ Your Account Details
+ </h1>
+
+ <hr>
+</div>
+
+<p>
+ Specify basic developer profile information about yourself or your company on
+ the accounts detail page. This identifies you to Google Play and your
+ customers. You can go back at any time to edit the information and change
+ your settings.
+</p>
+
+<div>
+ <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-dc-profile.png" class="frame">
+</div>
+
+<p>
+ Your developer profile contains:
+</p>
+
+<ul>
+ <li>
+ <p>
+ Developer name &mdash; displayed on your store listing page and elsewhere
+ on Google Play.
+ </p>
+ </li>
+
+ <li>
+ <p>
+ Contact information &mdash; used by Google only, it isn't seen by your
+ customers.
+ </p>
+ </li>
+
+ <li>
+ <p>
+ Web site URL &mdash; displayed on your store listing page.
+ </p>
+ </li>
+</ul>
+
+<p>
+ On the account details page you can also add restricted access for marketers
+ and other teams, register for a merchant account, or set up test accounts for
+ Google Play licensing.
+</p>
+
+<div class="headerLine clearfloat">
+ <h1 id="merchant-account">
+ Linking Your Merchant Account
+ </h1>
+
+ <hr>
+</div>
+
+<p>
+ If you want to sell apps or in-app products, link your Google Wallet Merchant
+ Account to your developer profile. Google Play uses the linked merchant
+ account for financial and tax identification, as well as for monthly payouts
+ from sales.
+</p>
+
+<div class="headerLine clearfloat">
+ <h1 id="multiple-user-accounts">
+ Multiple User Accounts
+ </h1>
+
+ <hr>
+</div>
+
+<p>
+ Set up user accounts for other team members to access different parts of your
+ Developer Console.
+</p>
+
+<div style="width:550px;">
+ <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-dc-invite.png" class="frame">
+</div>
+
+<p>
+ The first account registered is the <em>account owner</em>, with full access
+ to all parts of the console. The owner can add <em>user accounts</em> and
+ manage console access.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ For example, an owner can grant users access to publishing and app
+ configuration, but not to financial reports. Learn how to <a href=
+ "https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/2528691">set
+ up multiple accounts</a> now.
+</p>
+
+<div class="headerLine clearfloat">
+ <h1 id="store-listing-details">
+ Store Listing Details
+ </h1>
+
+ <hr>
+</div>
+
+<p>
+ Use the Developer Console to set up a <em>Store Listing page</em>. This is
+ the home for your app in Google Play. It's the page users see on their mobile
+ phones or on the web to learn about your app and download it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ Upload custom brand assets, screenshots, and videos to highlight what's great
+ about your app. Provide a localized description, add notes about the latest
+ version, and more. You can update your store listing at any time.
+</p>
+
+<div>
+ <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-dc-details.png" class="frame">
+</div>
+
+<div class="headerLine clearfloat">
+ <h1 id="upload-instantly-publish">
+ Upload and Instantly Publish
+ </h1>
+
+ <hr>
+</div>
+
+<p>
+ From the Developer Console you can quickly upload and publish a release-ready
+ Android application package file. The app is a <em>draft</em> until you
+ publish it, at which time Google Play makes your store listing page and app
+ available to users&mdash;your app appears in the store listings within hours,
+ not weeks.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ Once your app is published, you can update it as often as you want: Change
+ prices, configuration, and distribution options at any time, without needing
+ to update your app binary.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ As you add features or address code issues, you can publish an updated binary
+ at any time. The new version is available almost immediately and existing
+ customers are notified that an update is ready for download. Users can also
+ accept automatic updates to your app, so that your updates are delivered and
+ installed as soon as you publish them. You can unpublish your apps app at any
+ time.
+</p>
+
+<div class="headerLine clearfloat">
+ <h1 id="alpha-beta">
+ Alpha and Beta Testing
+ </h1>
+
+ <hr>
+</div>
+
+<p>
+ It's always valuable to get real-world feedback from users, especially before
+ launch. Google Play makes it easy to distribute pre-release versions of your
+ app to alpha and beta test groups anywhere in the world.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ In the <strong>APK</strong> section of your Google Play Developer Console
+ you’ll find the <strong>Alpha Testing</strong> and <strong>Beta
+ Testing</strong> tabs. Here you can upload versions of your apps’ APK files
+ and define a list of testers as a <a href=
+ "https://support.google.com/groups/answer/46601">Google Group</a> or <a href=
+ "https://support.google.com/plus/topic/2888488">Google+ Community</a>. Once
+ this is done you’ll receive a URL that you forward to your testers, from
+ which they can opt-in to the testing program.
+</p>
+
+<div>
+ <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-dc-ab.png" class="frame">
+</div>
+
+<p>
+ After opting-in, your testers then go to your app’s product page and when
+ they download the app Google Play will deliver them the alpha or beta version
+ as appropriate. Incidentally, if a user happens to be opted-in to both your
+ testing groups, Google Play will always deliver them the alpha test version.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ Note that users cannot provide feedback and reviews on alpha and beta
+ versions of your apps. To gather feedback you could used the <a href=
+ "https://support.google.com/groups/answer/46601">Google Group</a> or <a href=
+ "https://support.google.com/plus/topic/2888488">Google+ Community</a>, or
+ setup an email address or your own website.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ You can use these testing programs to <a href=
+ "{@docRoot}distribute/essentials/optimizing-your-app.html">optimize your
+ apps</a>, help with <a href=
+ "{@docRoot}distribute/users/expand-to-new-markets.html">rollout to new
+ markets</a>, and start <a href=
+ "{@docRoot}distribute/users/build-community.html">building your
+ community</a>. There is also more information on using beta test in the
+ <a href="{@docRoot}distribute/tools/launch-checklist.html">Launch
+ Checklist</a> and <a href=
+ "{@docRoot}distribute/tools/localization-checklist.html">Localization
+ Checklist</a>.
+</p>
+
+<div class="headerLine clearfloat">
+ <h1 id="staged-rollouts">
+ Staged Rollouts
+ </h1>
+
+ <hr>
+</div>
+
+<p>
+ You can also stage the rollout of your apps using the Production tab in the
+ APK section of your Google Play Developer Console. Here you can define the
+ percentage of user who’ll be able to download your app.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ Staging your rollout will help limit the impact of unexpected bugs or server
+ load and enable you to gauge user feedback with an unbiased sample of users.
+ Users can rate and review your apps during staged roll outs, so if you’re
+ hesitant, start your rollout to a small percentage of users. Be sure to watch
+ for and respond to any negative reviews.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ Note that rollbacks aren’t supported due to the <a href=
+ "{@docRoot}tools/publishing/versioning.html">app versioning requirements</a>
+ of the Android platform. If you need to rollback, consider launching a
+ previous APK with a new version number. However, this practice should be used
+ only as a last resort, as users will lose access to new features and your old
+ app may not be forward-compatible with your server changes or data formats,
+ so be sure to run <a href="#alpha-beta">alpha and beta tests</a> of your
+ updates.
+</p>
+
+<div class="headerLine clearfloat">
+ <h1 id="multiple-apk">
+ Multiple APK Support
+ </h1>
+
+ <hr>
+</div>
+
+<p>
+ In most cases, a single app package (APK) is all you need, and it’s usually
+ the easiest way to manage and maintain the app. However, if you need to
+ deliver a different APK to different devices, Google Play provides a way to
+ do that.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ <em>Multiple APK support</em> lets you create multiple app packages that use
+ the same package name but differ in their OpenGL texture compression formats,
+ screen-size support, or Android platform versions supported. You can simply
+ upload all the APKs under a single product listing and Google Play selects
+ the best ones to deliver to users, based on the characteristics of their
+ devices.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ You can also upload up to two secondary downloads for each published APK,
+ including multiple APKs, using the <em>APK Expansion Files</em> option. Each
+ expansion file can be up to 2GB and contain any type of code or assets.
+ Google Play hosts them for free and handles the download of the files as part
+ of the normal app installation.
+</p>
+
+<div class="headerLine clearfloat">
+ <h1 id="selling-pricing-your-products">
+ Selling and Pricing Your Products
+ </h1>
+
+ <hr>
+</div>
+
+<div class="figure-right">
+ <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-buyer-currency.png" class="frame">
+</div>
+
+<p>
+ You have tools to set prices for your apps and in-app products. Your app can
+ be free to download or priced, requiring payment before download.
+</p>
+
+<ul>
+ <li>If you publish your app as free, it must <strong>remain free for the life
+ of the app</strong>. Free apps can be downloaded by all users in Google Play.
+ </li>
+
+ <li>If you publish it as priced, you can later change it to free. Priced apps
+ can be purchased and downloaded only by users who have registered a form of
+ payment in Google Play.
+ </li>
+</ul>
+
+<div class="sidebox-wrapper" style="float:right;">
+ <div class="sidebox">
+ <p>
+ See <a href=
+ "http://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/bin/answer.py?hl=en&amp;answer=138294&amp;topic=2365624&amp;ctx=topic">
+ Supported locations for distributing applications</a> for a list of
+ countries where you can distribute or sell your apps.
+ </p>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>
+ You can also offer in-app products and subscriptions, whether the app is free
+ or priced. Set prices separately for priced apps, in-app products, and
+ subscriptions.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ When users browse your app product pages or initiate a purchase, Google Play
+ shows them the price they’ll be charged in their local currency.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ For each product, you initially set a default price in your own currency. If
+ you do no more, Google Play will automatically set local prices once a month
+ based on the US-Dollar price for your app.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ However, Google Play gives you complete control over how you price your
+ products in each country. To start you can manually set fixed local prices
+ from the default price, using the <strong>auto-convert prices now</strong>
+ feature. You can then review these prices and set new ones for any countries
+ you wish &mdash; the price for each country is independent, so you can adjust
+ one price without affecting others. For most countries, the price you set is
+ the final price charged to users, including taxes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ For more on pricing your apps, see <a href=
+ "{@docRoot}distribute/users/expand-to-new-markets.html#localize-your-google-play-listing">
+ Expand into New Markets</a>.
+</p>
+
+<div class="headerLine clearfloat">
+ <h1 id="in-app-products">
+ In-app Products
+ </h1>
+
+ <hr>
+</div>
+
+<p>
+ You can sell in-app products and subscriptions using <a href=
+ "{@docRoot}google/play/billing/index.html">Google Play In-app Billing</a> as
+ a way to monetize your apps. In-app products are one-time purchases, while
+ subscriptions are recurring charges on a monthly or annual basis.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ In the <strong>In-app Products</strong> section for a specific published or
+ draft APK you:
+</p>
+
+<ul>
+ <li>Create product lists for in-app products and subscriptions.
+ </li>
+
+ <li>Set prices.
+ </li>
+
+ <li>Publish the products with the app or withdraw obsolete products.
+ </li>
+</ul>
+
+<p>
+ For details on how to implement In-app Billing, see the <a href=
+ "{@docRoot}google/play/billing/index.html">In-app Billing</a> developer
+ documentation. You make use of in-app products in the <a href=
+ "{@docRoot}distribute/monetize/premium.html">Premium</a>, <a href=
+ "{@docRoot}distribute/monetize/freemium.html">Freemium</a>, and <a href=
+ "{@docRoot}distribute/monetize/subscriptions.html">Subscription</a>
+ monetization models
+</p>
+
+<div class="headerLine clearfloat">
+ <h1 id="distribution-controls">
+ Distribution Controls
+ </h1>
+
+ <hr>
+</div>
+
+<p>
+ Manage which countries and territories your apps will distribute to. For some
+ countries, you can choose which carriers you want to target. You can also see
+ the list of devices your app is available for, based on any distribution
+ rules declared in its manifest file.
+</p>
+
+<h3 id="geotargeting">
+ Geographic targeting
+</h3>
+
+<p>
+ You can use controls in the Google Play Developer Console to easily manage
+ the geographic distribution of your apps, without any changes in your
+ application binary. You can specify which countries and territories you want
+ to distribute to, and even which carriers (for some countries).
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ When users visit the store, Google Play makes sure that they are in one of
+ your targeted countries before downloading your app. You can change your
+ country and carrier targeting at any time just by saving changes in the
+ Google Play Developer Console.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figure-right" style="width:500px;">
+ <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-supported-dev-requirements.png" class="frame">
+</div>
+
+<p>
+ To help you market to users around the world, you can <a href=
+ "{@docRoot}distribute/tools/launch-checklist.html#start-localization">localize
+ your store listing</a>, including app details and description, promotional
+ graphics, screenshots, and more.
+</p>
+
+<h3 id="captargeting">
+ Capabilities targeting
+</h3>
+
+<p>
+ Google Play also lets you control distribution according to device features
+ or capabilities that your app depends on. There are several types of
+ dependencies that the app can define in its manifest, such as hardware
+ features, OpenGL texture compression formats, libraries, Android platform
+ versions, and others.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ When you upload your app, Google Play reads the dependencies and sets up any
+ necessary distribution rules. For technical information about declaring
+ dependencies, read <a href="{@docRoot}google/play/filters.html">Filters on
+ Google Play</a>.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ For pinpoint control over distribution, Google Play lets you see all of the
+ devices your app is available to based on its dependencies (if any). From the
+ Google Play Developer Console, you can list the supported devices and even
+ exclude specific devices if needed.
+</p>
+
+<div class="headerLine clearfloat">
+ <h1 id="reviews-reports">
+ User Reviews and Crash Reports
+ </h1>
+
+ <hr>
+</div>
+
+<div class="figure-right" style="width:500px;">
+ <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-dc-reviews.png" class="frame">
+ <p class="img-caption">
+ The User reviews section gives you access to user reviews for a specific
+ app. You can filter reviews in a number of ways to locate issues more
+ easily and support your customers more effectively.
+ </p>
+</div>
+
+<p>
+ Google Play makes it easy for users to submit reviews of your app for the
+ benefit of other users. The reviews give you usability feedback, support
+ requests, and details of important functionality issues direct from your
+ customers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ Use crash reports for debugging and improving your app. You can see crash
+ reports with stack trace and other data, submitted automatically from Android
+ devices.
+</p>
+
+<div class="headerLine clearfloat">
+ <h1 id="app-stats">
+ App Statistics
+ </h1>
+
+ <hr>
+</div>
+
+<div class="figure" style="width:500px">
+ <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-dc-stats.png">
+ <p class="img-caption">
+ <b>App statistics page</b>: Shows you a variety of statistics about a
+ specific app's installation performance.
+ </p>
+</div>
+
+<p>
+ You get detailed statistics on the install performance of your app.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ See installation metrics measured by unique users as well as by unique
+ devices. View active installs, total installs, upgrades, daily installs and
+ uninstalls, and metrics about ratings.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ Zoom into the installation numbers by metric, including Android platform
+ version, device, country, language, app version, and carrier. View the
+ installation data for each dimension on timeline charts.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+ These charts highlight your app’s installation peaks and longer-term trends.
+ They help you learn your user’s adoption behavior, correlate statistics to
+ promotions, see the effect of app improvements, and other factors. Focus in
+ on data inside a dimension by adding specific points to the timeline.
+</p>
+
+<div class="dynamic-grid">
+<div class="headerLine clearfloat">
+<h1 id="related-resources">Related Resources</h1><hr/>
+</div>
+
+<div class="resource-widget resource-flow-layout col-13"
+ data-query="collection:distribute/googleplay/developerconsole"
+ data-sortOrder="-timestamp"
+ data-cardSizes="9x3"
+ data-maxResults="6"></div>
+ </div> \ No newline at end of file