Error - missing certificate_base64 in .json file while uploading JSON to playstore

[ncsmobility]

I generated a .json file using externallyhosted.py with the following command:

python3 externallyhosted.py --apk="myApk.apk" --externallyHostedUrl="https://myserver.com/myApk.apk" > myJson.json

The .json file was generated successfully. However, when I attempted to upload the same .json file to the Play Store, I encountered the following error:

"Your Externally-hosted APK Definition file did not parse correctly. The error message was: Field certificate_base64 missing."

[petarov]

Is the "certificate_base64" field available in your myJson.json file and does it have any content?

[ncs-ankur]

In the newer versions of build tools, Gradle no longer uses V1 app signing by default, which means it doesn't generate an .RSA file in the META-INF directory. According to the script, if no .RSA file is present, the "certificate_base64" will not be generated.

Solutions

Option 1: Enable V1 Signing in Your Release Configuration

To ensure the .RSA file is generated, you can enable V1 signing in your release signing configuration by adding the following:

signingConfigs {
    release {
        //existing config
        
        v1SigningEnabled true
        v2SigningEnabled true
    }
}

Option 2: Manually Generate and Add Base64 Certificate

Alternatively, you can generate a .pem file from your .jks/.keystore, convert it to base64 manually, and copy it into your generated JSON file before uploading to the Play Store:

1. Run command:

keytool -exportcert -alias MY_ALIAS -keystore signingkey.jks -storepass MYPASSWORD -rfc -file cert.pem

2. Now run:

openssl base64 -in cert.pem -out cert_base64_nowrap.txt -A

3. Copy the content of cert_base64_nowrap.txt and manually add it to your JSON file:

   "certificate_base64": [
     "yourbase64signaturegoeshere=="
   ],

4. Ensure your JSON file is properly formatted and try uploading to the Play Store again.