Amazon's documentation is surprising lacking in information about the submitting binary process. From what I can tell, you submit an unsigned binary and they wrap it in their own code and produce a signed apk?
This leaves several questions:
Are there any other considerations or pitfalls that one should know before diving into this process?
Thanks
When you are finished preparing your application for release you have a signed APK file, which you can distribute directly to users or distribute through an application marketplace such as Google Play. This document summarizes the main tasks you need to perform to prepare your application for release.
To generate a signed APK file, open the Build menu from the toolbar and select Generate Signed Bundle/APK. This opens up a screen where you have to select between creating an Android App Bundle and creating an APK file. Check the APK radio button and proceed to the next window.
Each APK for the same application must have a unique version code, specified by the android:versionCode attribute.
Yes. Amazon wraps your binary with code specific to their appstore that allows them to collect analytics data and enforce DRM. The app will be repackaged after that.
You should use the same package name. The Amazon distribution agreement currently has a number of provisos; e.g., that your app is not priced lower on another app store. They also do occasional checks to see whether the version of your app on the market is up to date. These checks are primarily done using the package name; changing the package name of your app could easily be viewed by them as a means to evade the terms of the agreement.
No. There may be good reasons why one would want to do this, but none that I can think of. By default, Amazon signs your apk with a signature that is specific to your Amazon developer account.
Other:
Read this. In particular, ensure that the app links correctly to the Amazon app store and not the Android market, or others. I don't have inside data, but I'd wager a fair amount that the vast majority of submissions that Amazon turn down fall afoul of that requirement.
Edit: Point 2 is no longer correct; see comment below.
If you love us? You can donate to us via Paypal or buy me a coffee so we can maintain and grow! Thank you!
Donate Us With