Mobile Deployment

Overview

The MND mobile app is built with Flutter, supporting both Android and iOS platforms. This guide covers building, signing, and submitting to app stores.

Prerequisites

Flutter SDK 3.0+
Dart SDK 3.0+
Android Studio (for Android builds)
Xcode (for iOS builds, macOS only)
Backend API running and accessible

Initial Setup

1. Install Flutter

Follow the official Flutter installation guide for your platform. Verify installation:

flutter doctor

2. Install Dependencies

cd mnd_flutter
flutter pub get

Key dependencies:

provider - State management
http - Networking
shared_preferences - Local storage
google_maps_flutter - Map integration
flutter_dotenv - Environment configuration

3. Configure Environment

Create .env file:

API_BASE_URL=http://192.168.1.100:3000
GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=your_mobile_maps_api_key

For production:

API_BASE_URL=https://api.yourdomain.com
GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=your_production_maps_api_key

See Environment Variables for details.

Development Testing

Run on Emulator/Simulator

Android:

flutter run

iOS:

flutter run

Run on Physical Device

Android:

Enable Developer Options and USB Debugging on your Android device
Connect via USB
Run:

flutter devices
flutter run -d <device-id>

iOS:

Connect iPhone/iPad via USB
Trust the computer on your device
Run:

flutter run -d <device-id>

Hot Reload

While app is running:

Press r - Hot reload
Press R - Hot restart
Press q - Quit

Android Deployment

1. Configure App Identity

Edit android/app/build.gradle:

android {
    defaultConfig {
        applicationId "com.yourcompany.mnd_flutter"
        minSdkVersion 21
        targetSdkVersion 33
        versionCode 1
        versionName "1.0.0"
    }
}

Update:

applicationId - Unique app identifier (reverse domain notation)
versionCode - Integer version (increment for each release)
versionName - Display version (e.g., “1.0.0”)

2. Configure Google Maps API Key

Edit android/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml:

<application>
    <!-- ... -->
    <meta-data
        android:name="com.google.android.geo.API_KEY"
        android:value="YOUR_ANDROID_MAPS_API_KEY" />
</application>

3. Create App Icon

Replace android/app/src/main/res/mipmap-*/ic_launcher.png with your app icons:

mipmap-mdpi/ic_launcher.png (48x48)
mipmap-hdpi/ic_launcher.png (72x72)
mipmap-xhdpi/ic_launcher.png (96x96)
mipmap-xxhdpi/ic_launcher.png (144x144)
mipmap-xxxhdpi/ic_launcher.png (192x192)

Or use the flutter_launcher_icons package:

dev_dependencies:
  flutter_launcher_icons: ^0.13.1

flutter_launcher_icons:
  android: true
  ios: true
  image_path: "assets/icon/app_icon.png"

flutter pub run flutter_launcher_icons

4. Generate Signing Key

Create keystore:

keytool -genkey -v -keystore ~/mnd-release-key.jks -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 10000 -alias mnd

Answer the prompts and save the password securely. Create key.properties: Create android/key.properties:

storePassword=your_store_password
keyPassword=your_key_password
keyAlias=mnd
storeFile=/Users/yourname/mnd-release-key.jks

Add key.properties to .gitignore - never commit this file!

5. Configure Signing in build.gradle

Edit android/app/build.gradle:

def keystoreProperties = new Properties()
def keystorePropertiesFile = rootProject.file('key.properties')
if (keystorePropertiesFile.exists()) {
    keystoreProperties.load(new FileInputStream(keystorePropertiesFile))
}

android {
    // ...

    signingConfigs {
        release {
            keyAlias keystoreProperties['keyAlias']
            keyPassword keystoreProperties['keyPassword']
            storeFile keystoreProperties['storeFile'] ? file(keystoreProperties['storeFile']) : null
            storePassword keystoreProperties['storePassword']
        }
    }

    buildTypes {
        release {
            signingConfig signingConfigs.release
            minifyEnabled true
            shrinkResources true
        }
    }
}

6. Build APK

Standard APK:

flutter build apk --release

Output: build/app/outputs/flutter-apk/app-release.apk Split APK by ABI (smaller size):

flutter build apk --split-per-abi --release

Creates separate APKs for:

app-armeabi-v7a-release.apk (32-bit ARM)
app-arm64-v8a-release.apk (64-bit ARM)
app-x86_64-release.apk (64-bit Intel)

7. Build App Bundle (for Play Store)

Recommended format for Google Play:

flutter build appbundle --release

Output: build/app/outputs/bundle/release/app-release.aab Benefits:

Smaller download size (Google Play generates optimized APKs)
Required for apps over 150MB
Supports Dynamic Delivery

8. Test Release Build

Install APK on device:

flutter install build/app/outputs/flutter-apk/app-release.apk

Or:

adb install build/app/outputs/flutter-apk/app-release.apk

9. Submit to Google Play Store

Create account at Google Play Console
Pay one-time $25 registration fee
Create new app
Fill in app details:
- App name
- Short description
- Full description
- Screenshots (required: at least 2)
- Feature graphic (1024x500)
- App icon (512x512)
- Privacy policy URL
Upload AAB file
Complete Content Rating questionnaire
Set pricing (free/paid)
Select countries
Submit for review

Review time: 1-7 days typically

iOS Deployment

1. Configure App Identity

Edit ios/Runner/Info.plist:

<key>CFBundleIdentifier</key>
<string>com.yourcompany.mndFlutter</string>
<key>CFBundleName</key>
<string>MND</string>
<key>CFBundleShortVersionString</key>
<string>1.0.0</string>
<key>CFBundleVersion</key>
<string>1</string>

2. Configure Google Maps API Key

Edit ios/Runner/AppDelegate.swift:

import GoogleMaps

@UIApplicationMain
@objc class AppDelegate: FlutterAppDelegate {
  override func application(
    _ application: UIApplication,
    didFinishLaunchingWithOptions launchOptions: [UIApplication.LaunchOptionsKey: Any]?
  ) -> Bool {
    GMSServices.provideAPIKey("YOUR_IOS_MAPS_API_KEY")
    GeneratedPluginRegistrant.register(with: self)
    return super.application(application, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions: launchOptions)
  }
}

3. Create App Icon

Replace icons in ios/Runner/Assets.xcassets/AppIcon.appiconset/ Or use flutter_launcher_icons (see Android section).

4. Open in Xcode

open ios/Runner.xcworkspace

Always open .xcworkspace, not .xcodeproj

5. Configure Signing

In Xcode:

Select Runner project
Select Runner target
Go to Signing & Capabilities
Check Automatically manage signing
Select your Team (requires Apple Developer account)
Set Bundle Identifier (must match App ID)

6. Register App ID

Go to Apple Developer Portal
Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles
Identifiers → Click +
Select App IDs → Continue
Select App → Continue
Enter:
- Description: MND Bus Routing
- Bundle ID: com.yourcompany.mndFlutter
- Capabilities: (select as needed)
Register

7. Build Release

Command line:

flutter build ios --release

Or in Xcode:

Select Any iOS Device (arm64) as target
Product → Archive
Wait for archive to complete
Organizer window opens

8. Distribute via Xcode

In Xcode Organizer:

Select your archive
Click Distribute App
Choose distribution method:
- App Store Connect - for App Store submission
- Ad Hoc - for testing on specific devices
- Enterprise - for internal distribution
- Development - for development testing
Follow the wizard
Upload to App Store Connect

9. Submit to App Store

Go to App Store Connect
Create new app:
- Platform: iOS
- Name: MND Bus Routing
- Primary Language: English
- Bundle ID: (select registered ID)
- SKU: unique identifier
Fill in app information:
- Subtitle
- Description
- Keywords
- Support URL
- Privacy Policy URL
Upload screenshots:
- 6.5” display (required)
- 5.5” display (optional)
- iPad Pro (if supporting iPad)
Select build uploaded from Xcode
Set pricing
Submit for review

Review time: 1-3 days typically

App Store Requirements

Screenshots

Android (Google Play):

Minimum 2 screenshots
Format: JPEG or 24-bit PNG
Minimum dimension: 320px
Maximum dimension: 3840px
Recommended: 1080x1920 (portrait) or 1920x1080 (landscape)

iOS (App Store):

Required for 6.5” display (iPhone 14 Pro Max)
Optional for 5.5” and iPad Pro
Format: JPEG or PNG
Sizes:
- 6.5”: 1284x2778 or 2778x1284
- 5.5”: 1242x2208 or 2208x1242
- iPad Pro: 2048x2732 or 2732x2048

Generate screenshots:

# Run app on device/emulator
flutter run --release

# Take screenshots from device
# Android: Power + Volume Down
# iOS: Side Button + Volume Up

Or use automated screenshot tools:

Privacy Policy

Both stores require a privacy policy URL. Include:

What data you collect
How you use it
Third-party services (Google Maps, Analytics)
Data retention
User rights

Example privacy policy generators:

Environment Configuration

Production vs Development

Development (.env):

API_BASE_URL=http://192.168.1.100:3000
GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=dev_key

Production (.env.production):

API_BASE_URL=https://api.yourdomain.com
GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=production_key

Load based on build mode:

import 'package:flutter_dotenv/flutter_dotenv.dart';

Future<void> main() async {
  // Load environment based on build mode
  String envFile = const String.fromEnvironment('ENV', defaultValue: '.env');
  await dotenv.load(fileName: envFile);
  
  runApp(MyApp());
}

Build with specific environment:

flutter build apk --dart-define=ENV=.env.production

Version Management

Semantic Versioning

Use format: MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH

MAJOR: Breaking changes
MINOR: New features
PATCH: Bug fixes

Update in pubspec.yaml:

version: 1.2.3+4

1.2.3 = versionName (Android) / CFBundleShortVersionString (iOS)
4 = versionCode (Android) / CFBundleVersion (iOS)

Incrementing Versions

Before each release:

Update pubspec.yaml:
```
version: 1.0.1+2  # was 1.0.0+1
```
Android auto-updates from pubspec
iOS: Update in Xcode or Info.plist

App Signing Best Practices

Android Keystore

Losing your keystore means you can never update your app again!

Backup your keystore:

cp ~/mnd-release-key.jks ~/Dropbox/backups/

Store passwords securely:

Use a password manager
Don’t commit to git
Share securely with team (encrypted)

iOS Certificates

Certificates expire after 1 year (auto-renewed by Xcode)
Provisioning profiles expire after 1 year
Distribution certificates limited to 3 per team

Testing Before Release

Beta Testing

Android (Google Play Console):

Create Internal/Closed/Open testing track
Upload AAB
Add testers by email
Share opt-in URL

iOS (TestFlight):

Upload build via Xcode
Go to App Store Connect → TestFlight
Add internal testers (up to 100)
Add external testers (up to 10,000)
Testers install TestFlight app and opt-in

Pre-Launch Checklist

Troubleshooting

Android Build Fails

# Clean build
flutter clean
cd android && ./gradlew clean && cd ..
flutter pub get
flutter build apk

iOS Build Fails

# Clean build
flutter clean
cd ios
rm -rf Pods Podfile.lock
pod install
cd ..
flutter build ios

App Crashes on Launch

Check logs:

# Android
adb logcat | grep flutter

# iOS
flutter logs

Common issues:

Missing .env file
Invalid API URL
Missing permissions

Google Maps Not Showing

Verify API key is correct
Check API key restrictions (bundle ID/package name)
Ensure Maps SDK enabled in Google Cloud Console
Check device has internet connection

​Overview

​Prerequisites

​Initial Setup

​1. Install Flutter

​2. Install Dependencies

​3. Configure Environment

​Development Testing

​Run on Emulator/Simulator

​Run on Physical Device

​Hot Reload

​Android Deployment

​1. Configure App Identity

​2. Configure Google Maps API Key

​3. Create App Icon

​4. Generate Signing Key

​5. Configure Signing in build.gradle

​6. Build APK

​7. Build App Bundle (for Play Store)

​8. Test Release Build

​9. Submit to Google Play Store

​iOS Deployment

​1. Configure App Identity

​2. Configure Google Maps API Key

​3. Create App Icon

​4. Open in Xcode

​5. Configure Signing

​6. Register App ID

​7. Build Release

​8. Distribute via Xcode

​9. Submit to App Store

​App Store Requirements

​Screenshots

​Privacy Policy

​Environment Configuration

​Production vs Development

​Version Management

​Semantic Versioning

​Incrementing Versions

​App Signing Best Practices

​Android Keystore

​iOS Certificates

​Testing Before Release

​Beta Testing

​Pre-Launch Checklist

​Troubleshooting

​Android Build Fails

​iOS Build Fails

​App Crashes on Launch

​Google Maps Not Showing

​Next Steps

Overview

Prerequisites

Initial Setup

1. Install Flutter

2. Install Dependencies

3. Configure Environment

Development Testing

Run on Emulator/Simulator

Run on Physical Device

Hot Reload

Android Deployment

1. Configure App Identity

2. Configure Google Maps API Key

3. Create App Icon

4. Generate Signing Key

5. Configure Signing in build.gradle

6. Build APK

7. Build App Bundle (for Play Store)

8. Test Release Build

9. Submit to Google Play Store

iOS Deployment

1. Configure App Identity

2. Configure Google Maps API Key

3. Create App Icon

4. Open in Xcode

5. Configure Signing

6. Register App ID

7. Build Release

8. Distribute via Xcode

9. Submit to App Store

App Store Requirements

Screenshots

Privacy Policy

Environment Configuration

Production vs Development

Version Management

Semantic Versioning

Incrementing Versions

App Signing Best Practices

Android Keystore

iOS Certificates

Testing Before Release

Beta Testing

Pre-Launch Checklist

Troubleshooting

Android Build Fails

iOS Build Fails

App Crashes on Launch

Google Maps Not Showing

Next Steps