How to Submit a Flash Builder Mobile Project to Android and iOS Markets
August 2, 2012
There’s no doubt that Android and iOS are the most popular mobile platforms today. And everyone wants to have their own mobile app. Traditionally, it has been possible to develop for multiple devices using Adobe Flash Builder or Flash Professional. Not until the 4.5 and 5.5 releases respectively has it been possible to build a single project and package it for both markets.
Although better performance is obtained by using Xcode for iOS (because of threading and memory management) and Java for Android, not everyone is able to work with both languages or has the time to build two projects. Wherever superior performance isn’t required, your efforts are easily rewarded by using Flash Builder 4.5 or newer.
Here are the steps:
- Provisioning (Development) Certificate
- Develop/Test/Debug your app
- Prepare graphics (logos, icon, screenshots)
- Sign the app (Distribution Certificate, MobileProvision Certificate)
- Build the project
- Upload to Android (Google Play Market)
- Upload iOS App Metadata
- Download ApplicationLoader
- Upload .ipa with the Application Loader
- Wait for Apple’s approval
1. To begin developing (at least for a release version) you will need to grab a provisioning certificate. You will basically inform Apple that you will be building a new project, giving the name of the project to obtain a certificate. You’ll need to use the top right panel on this page Click on the iOS Provisioning Portal and add a Development Certificate
2. I’m assuming you know how to develop an app already with Flash Builder. If not, there are lots of tutorials out there that can help you with the process.
3. Preparing Graphics is fairly easy, though tedious. You will need to make icons of every shape and size for devices with retina displays and those without. Making screenshots and cropping them to the correct proportions is a challenge, but in the end, you’ll be rewarded with a nice-looking app that will sell well on both markets.
4. Signing can be a confusing process. Here, you go back to the provisioning portal and obtain a distribution certificate this time. You will need to first provision for distribution and then download the distribution certificate. The .cer file you download will need to be converted to a .p12 format to be compatible with Flash Builder. Instructions for that are given here.
5. Building the project is fairly straightforward, as long as you can remember your certificate password… Make sure that you have allocated permissions for the Android build.
6. Uploading to the Android Market is fairly straightforward. Just go to Google Play and fill out all the information and upload your apk. When you revision the app, you only need to replace the .apk and update the comments where necessary.
7. To upload the iOS app, visit iTunes Connect and “Manage Your Applications” is where you add a new app. It’s all pretty self-explanatory. If you’ve properly provisioned your app, it will populate in the drop-down menu where necessary. You’ll fill out all the info and continue through the whole process. Don’t be worried if you can’t upload your app, because you need to do that with the application loader.
8. Download the application loader if you haven’t already. Alternatively, you can use Xcode, but that only works if you have a Mac.
9. You will need to upload your .ipa file with either Xcode or Application Loader. This is fairly self-explanatory. Just make sure you upload the correct file.
10. After your apps are submitted, you’ll just need to wait until Apple reviews your app. This can take a few days, but I’m sure you have plenty to do in the meanwhile.
