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Onboarding Guide

About this Guide​

This onboarding guide is designed to support Android developers who have partnered with Aptoide Connect through our Business Development team and are preparing to distribute their Android apps across alternative app stores.

Its main objectives are to:

  • Provide a clear, step-by-step overview of the technical and operational onboarding process.
  • Align expectations between developers and Aptoide teams.
  • Ensure a smooth and efficient integration and launch.

What is Aptoide Connect?​

Aptoide Connect is the access point for alternative app distribution on Android and iOS, designed to help developers expand their reach across multiple alternative app stores, including leading partners such as Aptoide, Xiaomi, and others, reaching over 50 million monthly active users.

The distribution workflow within Aptoide Connect is built to be simple and efficient, requiring minimal engineering effort while enabling distribution at scale across multiple stores.

By integrating with the Aptoide Android Billing SDK, developers can benefit from a payout rate of up to 90% on in-app purchases, along with enhanced visibility through priority search placement and featured promotions across partner stores.

To learn more about our offering, visit our official website and the About Us section of this documentation.

Communication Channels​

Before or after the onboarding call, your Account Manager will set up dedicated communication channels to support you throughout the integration process and ensure fast, efficient collaboration.

Our preferred communication channels are:

  • Private Slack channel (preferred)
  • WeChat group
  • Telegram group

If your team prefers to use a different platform, please let your Account Manager know.

To streamline communication, the Account Manager will include representatives from the relevant teams, including:

  • Operations
  • Technical Support
  • Marketing & Featuring
  • Business & Sales

Before the technical integration begins, and if needed, we can schedule an additional onboarding call to:

  • Provide an end-to-end overview of the integration process
  • Run a live walkthrough of the Aptoide Connect Console
  • Address any technical, operational, or business-related questions

Kickoff Questionaire​

Before we begin the integration, if you haven't already done so, please provide the following information for your apps. Your answers will help us plan your integration efficienty and optimize your app’s launch on Aptoide and partner stores.

Required Information:

  1. App Package Name: What is the package name of the APK you’re integrating?
  2. Integration Start Date: When would you like to start the integration process?
  3. Expected Launch Date: What is the planned release date for your app/game on Aptoide?
  4. PSV Compliance: Please confirm that your APK follows the PSV formula: same Package Name and Signature as Google Play, and a higher Version Code.
  5. Social Logins: Does your app support social login options (e.g., Google, Facebook)?
  6. Distribution Channels: Which distribution channels would you like to enable? (e.g., Aptoide, Xiaomi GetApps, ApkPure, OPPO App Market, RuStore, Huawei Petal Search)
  7. Distribution Countries: What are the intended distribution countries? Are there any geo-restrictions?
  8. Metadata & In-App Products Synchronization: Would you like to synchronize metadata and in-app products manually or automatically?
    1. If your app is also available on Google Play with the same package name, Aptoide Connect can:
      • Fetch metadata in multiple languages from Google Play, including app information, as well as generic and localized assets.
      • Automatically synchronize in-app products. When enabled, your in-app products list is updated automatically whenever a user purchases an item that is not yet registered in Aptoide Connect.
  9. Non-Consumable Items: Does your app include any non-consumable items (e.g., subscriptions, one-time purchases)?

Onboarding Process​

Android onboarding process flow diagram

Register on Aptoide Connect​

Create your account at https://connect.aptoide.com/register. You can sign up using an email and password or authenticate with your Google account.

After registering and accepting the Certified Developer Distribution Agreement and the Terms and Conditions, complete your company profile by providing:

  • Company name
  • Company address
  • Country of incorporation

To ensure account security, we strongly recommend enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) using email, SMS, or an authentication app.

Explore our Documentation​

Use our documentation to guide your integration and become familiar with the key components of Aptoide Connect, including billing, account management, and performance optimization.

We recommend starting with the following resources:

  • Developer Console Overview
    Get familiar with the available menus and the information you will be able to access in the Aptoide Connect Developer Console once your apps are live.
  • User Access Management
    Learn how to grant access to multiple users within the same Aptoide Connect account, allowing teams to collaborate securely without sharing credentials.
  • Billing SDK
    Discover how to implement in-app purchases using the Aptoide Android Billing SDK.
  • PSV Formula
    Understand our formula used to optimize app distribution and monetization across partner stores.

Add Your App​

Adding apps to Aptoide Connect is a simple and streamlined process. For a complete walkthrough, refer to our dedicated documentation page. Below is a summary of the main steps.

  1. In the top navigation bar, click Add App.
  2. Indicate whether your Android app is already available on Google Play by selecting Yes or No for the question “Is your app in Google Play?”.
  3. Provide your app’s package name (for example, com.example) or paste the Google Play URL (for example, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.example).
  4. Click Next to continue. You will be redirected to the app submission form, where you will be asked to provide all relevant technical and store information about your app.

Prove App Ownership​

Verifying app ownership is a required step to ensure that you are authorized to submit and distribute your applications on Aptoide Connect.

The verification process depends on whether your app is currently published on Google Play, and different methods may apply accordingly.

For detailed instructions refer to our dedicated documentation page.

Implement Our Billing SDK​

Android Billing SDK purchase flow diagram

The Aptoide Android Billing SDK provides a simple and reliable way to integrate Aptoide Connect billing into your Android applications.

The SDK includes a billing client that communicates with the Aptoide Wallet, allowing you to retrieve your in-app products from Aptoide Connect and securely process purchase transactions.

In Summary​

The billing flow in your application with the SDK is as follows:

  1. Setup connection with Aptoide Android Billing SDK;
  2. Query In-App Products from Aptoide Android Billing SDK;
  3. End-user wants to buy a product on your app;
  4. Application launches Payment via Aptoide Android Billing SDK;
  5. The Aptoide Android Billing SDK handles the payment and, on completion, calls back your application;
  6. Application validates the legitimacy of the transaction via server-side purchase validation;
  7. Application gives the product to the end-user;
  8. Application notifies via server-side that the product was delivered/consumed.

For implementation details, configuration guidelines, and best practices, refer to our dedicated documentation page.

Best Practices​

Follow Our PSV Formula​

As mentioned above, following the PSV formula provides several advantages:

  • Avoids distributing multiple versions of your app with different app package names.
  • Prevents rejection by partner stores due to mismatched signatures.
  • Ensures users are not redirected back to Google Play during automatic updates by using a higher version code.
  • Avoids Google Play Protect warnings after installation, improving user trust and experience.
📘

Use the Same App Signature as on Google Play

If your app is already available on Google Play, or will be launched simultaneously on Google Play and Aptoide, it is essential to use the same app signature.

Please refer to our detailed guide on how to sign your Aptoide build using the Google Play Developer Console.

Disable Google Play App Integrity Warning​

If your app is also distributed on Google Play, some users may encounter a pop-up saying “Get this app from Play” when launching the game. This warning can block access entirely, preventing users from using the app.

This typically happens because Automatic protection settings are enabled in the Google Play Developer Console. When active, these settings restrict app launches if the app was not installed directly from Google Play. In some cases, they may be enabled by default.

If you distribute your app through multiple channels, make sure to review and adjust these settings so that users can play regardless of where the app was installed from. Refer to our documentation for step-by-step instructions on how to disable this setting.

Don't Forget to Consume the Product​

When integrating the Aptoide Android Billing SDK, make sure your application notifies our server when a product has been successfully delivered to the user by setting it as consumed on our end (step 8 of the billing flow). Refer to our documentation for details on how to perform this action.

If the consumption is not reported, the system will automatically issue a refund for the transaction.

Ensure In-App Shop Price Coherence​

Make sure the price and currency displayed in your in-game shop match what users see at checkout in the Aptoide Wallet.

To achieve this, use our Aptoide Android Billing SDK to query in-app products and display the same pricing information. Refer to our documentation for details on how to fetch in-app products correctly.

Use our Support & Debugging Tools​

Aptoide Connect provides dedicated tools to help you integrate and troubleshoot the Aptoide Android Billing SDK more efficiently, including the Billing SDK Log Analyzer and the Billing SDK Transaction Analyzer. Both are available through Connectoide, our agent, in the Aptoide Connect Developer Console.

Using these tools early during development and testing can significantly reduce integration time and speed up issue resolution. For details on each tool and how to use them, see our Support Tools page.

Connectoide AI assistant icon in the Developer Console

Submit Your Build​

After adding your app to your Aptoide Connect account, you will be redirected to the app submission form, where you can submit all the required files and provide the necessary information to publish your app.

App Files​

When submitting your application using the App Submission Form, you will need to upload the build files for the version you intend to publish. The following file types are currently supported:

  • .apk - up to 2 GBs
  • .obb - up to 5 GBs (follow valid file name guidelines)

Important considerations:

  • APK Signing: All .apk files must be signed before submission.
  • Compressed files: Zipped files are not supported. Please unzip all files before uploading.
  • .aab files are not supported:

App Information & Assets​

If your app is available on Google Play, its metadata will be automatically fetched. If not, you will need to provide all required information manually.

Your Build is Reviewed By Us​

At this stage, the Operations Team will review your app’s technical implementation and content, and test all critical flows, including in-app purchases.

If any issues are identified during the review process, the team will promptly notify you so we can troubleshoot and resolve them as quickly as possible.

As a best practice, we recommend submitting your app for review at least one week before the planned release date to allow sufficient time for validation and potential fixes.

Your App Goes Live​

Once the app successfully passes all QA checks, the Operations Team will approve it for release.

The app will go live only on the agreed release date. The release can be managed in one of the following ways:

  • Scheduled to go live on a specific date
  • Manually published by the Operations Team
  • Published directly by you through the Developer Console

Go to Market Plan​

The Go to Market Plan includes a set of promotional initiatives designed to maximize visibility and performance at launch.

Aptoide Connect offers multiple featuring opportunities across its platforms, including:

  • Promotional Card
    High-impact temporary banners displayed in top positions across Aptoide App Store, Web, and Games.​
  • Editorial
    Weekly spotlight on selected games, supported by a dedicated editorial article across Aptoide App Store, Web, and Games.
  • Editor’s Choice
    Premium top-banner placement highlighting high-quality, curated titles across Aptoide App Store, Web, and Games.
  • "Level Up" Bundle
    Featured bundle of top-performing titles prominently positioned on Aptoide Web.
  • Banner (In-store ads)
    Homepage hero banners and targeted pop-ups on app view, install, and search pages, ensuring maximum exposure across key user touchpoints on Aptoide Web.
  • "Highlighted" Bundle
    Personalized game bundles that automatically adapt to individual user preferences and play styles on Aptoide Games.
  • "Up to 20% Bonus" Bundle
    Curated selection of top apps and games offering users up to 20% cashback on in-app purchases on Aptoide App Store.
  • Aptoide Wallet Promotions
    Exclusive bonus incentives for users making in-app purchases through the Aptoide Wallet.

To enable proper planning of promotional activities, it is important to define a final release date as early as possible in the integration process. If a working build is submitted less than one week before the final release date, we cannot guarantee promotional slots, and featuring schedules may need to be arranged after the release.

Additionally, please share any available generic graphics and promotional assets so our teams can use them in social media campaigns and in-store promotions.

FAQs​

How does the submission process work for partner app stores?​

Once your app is fully integrated and approved in Aptoide Connect, it becomes available in our distribution system for partner app stores.

You can explicitly select which partner stores are allowed to fetch and distribute your app. Only the selected stores will be able to access and publish your application.

This allows you to control your distribution strategy across different markets and partners.

What is the PSV formula? Why should I follow it?​

PSV stands for:

  • P: same app package name as on Google Play.
  • S: same app signature as on Google Play.
  • V: higher version code than the version published on Google Play.

Following the PSV formula has the following advantages:

  • Avoids distributing multiple versions of your app with different app package names.
  • Prevents rejection by partner stores due to mismatched signatures.
  • Ensures users are not redirected back to Google Play during automatic updates by using a higher version code.
  • Avoids Google Play Protect warnings after installation, improving user trust and experience.

Recommendation

Always set the Aptoide version code with one additional digit compared to Google Play.

Example: If your Google Play version code is 101, use 1101 on Aptoide Connect.

Do I need to use the same app signature as on Google Play?​

Yes. If your app is already available on Google Play, or will be launched simultaneously on Google Play and Aptoide, you must use the same app signature.

Using the same signature ensures compatibility and prevents installation or update issues for users.

For step-by-step instructions, please refer to our detailed guide on how to sign your Aptoide build using the Google Play Developer Console.

Can Aptoide Connect automatically fetch data from my app on Google Play?​

Yes. If your application is also available on Google Play using the same app package name, Aptoide Connect can automatically synchronize key data from Google Play.

This includes:

  • App Information & Assets, such as generic and localized assets in multiple languages
  • In-App Products, which are automatically synchronized when a user purchases an item that is not yet registered in Aptoide Connect. In-App Product prices are then updated on a weekly basis. For more details, please refer to our documentation. You may also preload products to have the list pre-populated in advance.

How do I test my in-app purchases?​

You can test in-app purchases using the Sandbox environment available in Aptoide Connect.

To perform IAP testing:

  1. Download and install the Aptoide Wallet app.
  2. (Optional) Create a dedicated Wallet address for testing purposes.
  3. Add your testing Wallet address in the Sandbox section of the Developer Console.
  4. Use this Wallet address to perform test purchases within your app.

For detailed setup instructions and testing guidelines, refer to our documentation.

Which currencies are currently supported by the Aptoide Connect billing for in-app purchases?​

In-app purchases are currently supported in the following currencies:

Currency CodeCurrency Name
USDUS Dollar
AUDAustralian Dollar
BRLBrazilian Real
CADCanadian Dollar
CHFSwiss Franc
CLPChilean Peso
CNYChinese Yuan
CZKCzech Koruna
DKKDanish Krone
EUREuro
GBPBritish Pound
HKDHong Kong Dollar
HUFHungarian Forint
IDRIndonesian Rupiah
ILSIsraeli Shekel
INRIndian Rupee
JPYJapanese Yen
KRWSouth Korean Won
MXNMexican Peso
MYRMalaysian Ringgit
NOKNorwegian Krone
NZDNew Zealand Dollar
PHPPhilippine Peso
PKRPakistani Rupee
PLNPolish Zloty
RUBRussian Ruble
SEKSwedish Krona
SGDSingapore Dollar
THBThai Baht
TRYTurkish Lira
TWDNew Taiwan Dollar
ZARSouth African Rand
BGNBulgarian Lev
COPColombian Peso
EGPEgyptian Pound
KZTKazakhstani Tenge
NGNNigerian Naira
PENPeruvian Sol
QARQatari Riyal
RONRomanian Leu
SARSaudi Riyal
TZSTanzanian Shilling
AEDUAE Dirham
VNDVietnamese Dong
UAHUkrainian Hryvnia

How often will I receive my in-app purchases share?​

You will receive your in-app purchases revenue whenever you request a withdrawal from your Aptoide Connect account.

Withdrawals are initiated directly from the Developer Console. Once requested, the payout will be processed according to the configured payment method and applicable processing timelines.

For detailed instructions, refer to our documentation.