Who signs the Android App Bundle (AAB)?

When you upload an AAB to Google Play Console, Google signs the app using Play App Signing. Developers do not need to manage production signing keys.

Do I need CocoaPods to build a Flutter IPA?

Yes. CocoaPods is required to install native iOS dependencies used by Flutter plugins. Pods are generated automatically when running 'pod install' or when opening the project in Xcode.

Does Wrapply include Firebase by default?

No. Wrapply keeps Firebase optional. The project includes a ready hook (firebase-init.js) that you enable only if you want push notifications or Firebase services.

Flutter APK, AAB & IPA Build Guide

This guide explains how Flutter apps are built and published for Android and iOS. It covers APK, AAB and IPA, how store signing works, how CocoaPods are generated, and how Wrapply source projects fit into the process.

---

1. Android Builds: APK vs AAB

APK (Testing)

Directly installable on Android devices
Used for testing and internal sharing

flutter build apk

AAB (Google Play)

Required format for Google Play
Uploaded unsigned
Signed automatically by Google (Play App Signing)

flutter build appbundle

With Wrapply you can test with a free APK, then upload the AAB to Google Play. No manual signing required.

Generate Free APK / AAB with Wrapply ---

2. iOS Builds: IPA and Signing

Requirements

macOS
Xcode
Apple Developer Account

Opening the Flutter iOS Project

cd ios
open Runner.xcworkspace

Automatic Signing

Select your Apple Team
Set a unique Bundle Identifier
Enable “Automatically manage signing”

---

3. CocoaPods: How Pods Are Created

Flutter iOS apps rely on CocoaPods to manage native dependencies used by plugins (Firebase, WebView, etc.).

How Pods Are Generated

Flutter generates a Podfile automatically
Pods are installed via:

cd ios
pod install

Alternatively, Xcode will run pod install automatically when opening Runner.xcworkspace.

Never open Runner.xcodeproj. Always use Runner.xcworkspace when CocoaPods are involved.

---

4. Creating the IPA

Open Runner.xcworkspace in Xcode
Select “Any iOS Device”
Menu: Product → Archive
Distribute App → App Store Connect

Apple handles final signing and distribution.

---

5. Wrapply Source Projects

When using Wrapply, you download a complete Flutter project:

Android + iOS folders
Clean index.html
Optional firebase-init.js
Standard Flutter structure

You can build APK, AAB and IPA without modifying the core architecture.

Download Flutter Source Code with Wrapply ---

6. Firebase (Optional)

Wrapply does not force Firebase. Push notifications and analytics are enabled only if you add your own firebase-init.js and credentials.

This guarantees full ownership and zero vendor lock-in.

---