Test and publish a new branded Android app for private distribution

  • Release version: Washingtondc
  • Updated February 12, 2025
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Test and Publish a New Branded Android App for Private Distribution

    This guide outlines the steps for testing and publishing a branded Android app for private distribution after requesting it through Mobile Publishing. It covers the necessary testing, setup, approval process, customization, publishing, and maintenance of the app.

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    Key Features

    • Testing the App: After the build is complete, download the APK file for testing. Ensure that the app has the correct branding, name, and settings. Use the same APK for deployment.
    • App Setup: Optionally set up push notifications using Google Firebase and configure deep links with an assetlinks.json file.
    • Approval Process: You have 90 days to approve or reject the app for branding compliance. Rejected apps can be duplicated for edits.
    • Customization: Use Mobile App Builder to tailor app workflows to meet specific needs.
    • Publishing and Distribution: Upload the APK to a private distribution site or managed Google Play Console, with specific guidelines for BlackBerry Portal and Microsoft Intune.
    • App Updates: Regular updates are recommended to ensure compatibility with ServiceNow mobile features and maintain push notification functionality.

    Key Outcomes

    By following these steps, you will successfully test, customize, and publish your branded Android app for private distribution, ensuring it meets your organization’s branding requirements and leverages the latest features available in ServiceNow mobile applications.

    Learn the next steps to test and publish a new branded Android app for private distribution after you request it in Mobile Publishing.

    1. Test the app

    After the build successfully completes and your app is ready for testing:
    1. Navigate to the Request details page by selecting All > Mobile Branding > Manage Mobile Publishing Apps > Your recent app requests.
    2. Select the card for your mobile app build request. The Request details page appears.

    3. Select the Android testing file link and the APK file is downloaded to your local system for testing:

      Mobile Publishing UI showing the Android .apk file download link

    4. Send the APK file to your testers via email so they can open the file on their Android device or in an emulator.

      See KB0727776 for information about how to install a mobile simulator and APK file on your computer so you can test the Android testing file.

    5. Check the following items on your app:
      • App has the correct name, icon, splash screen, branding, and theming. For more information, see Create a theme with Theme Builder.
      • App uses the default instance you specified for login if you selected the instance pre-fill option when you requested the branded app.
      • EULA and privacy policy listed in the mobile app Settings tab under Legal link to the policies you specified.
      Important:
      The APK file that was used during testing should also be used for deployment.

    2. Set up the app

    After testing completes successfully, you can set up your app for use. These configurations are optional.

    1. Set up push notifications by adding your Google Firebase Cloud Messaging HTTPv1 Oauth token to your app type's push application record.

      See KB1639289 for detailed instructions.

    2. Test push notifications using an out-of-the-box push notification.

      See KB0829093 for detailed instructions.

    3. Set up deep links for your app by configuring an assetlinks.json file on each instance.

      See KB1648690 for detailed instructions.

    3. Approve or reject the app

    Once the status of your app is Ready for testing, you have 90 days to make sure the app meets your branding requirements:
    • Reject the app to edit the branding, app name, app type, or any third-party information. Use the Duplicate option to copy information over to a new app request after you have rejected the app.
    • Approve the build to move forward with publishing the app to your end users.

    4. Customize your app's workflows

    Use Mobile App Builder to customize your app. See Mobile App Builder for detailed information about how you can customize your branded app.

    5. Publish and distribute your app

    After you have tested your app, set it up, and customize its workflows, you are ready to publish your branded Android app for private distribution. Upload your APK file to your private distribution site, the managed Google Play Console, or your enterprise mobility management (EMM) provider:
    Google Play Console:
    To publish your private branded Android app from the Google Play Console, see Google documentation.
    BlackBerry Portal:
    To publish your private branded Android app to the BlackBerry Portal if you are using BlackBerry mobile application management (MAM), see KB0813295.
    Microsoft Intune:
    To sync your private branded Android app from Google to Microsoft Intune, see Microsoft documentation.

    6. Keep your app updated

    Update your app before you update your ServiceNow® family version, or at least once per year to keep your push notifications working and to leverage the most up to date ServiceNow mobile features. For more information, see Tested devices and supported versions for ServiceNow mobile apps.