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Mobile App Deployment

The Artbase Creator Hub mobile app allows artists to manage their stores on the go. This guide covers building and deploying the Flutter app.

Overview​

The mobile app is built with Flutter, targeting:

  • iOS (App Store)
  • Android (Google Play)

Prerequisites​

Development Environment​

  • Flutter SDK 3.16+
  • Xcode 15+ (for iOS)
  • Android Studio (for Android)
  • CocoaPods (iOS dependencies)

Accounts​

  • Apple Developer Account ($99/year)
  • Google Play Developer Account ($25 one-time)

Project Structure​

apps/creator_hub/
├── lib/
│   ├── main.dart
│   ├── app/
│   ├── features/
│   └── shared/
├── ios/
├── android/
├── pubspec.yaml
└── README.md

Environment Setup​

1. Install Dependencies​

cd apps/creator_hub
flutter pub get

2. Configure Environment​

Create environment files:

# .env.development
SUPABASE_URL=https://your-project.supabase.co
SUPABASE_ANON_KEY=your-anon-key

# .env.production
SUPABASE_URL=https://your-project.supabase.co
SUPABASE_ANON_KEY=your-prod-anon-key

3. Platform Configuration​

iOS​

cd ios
pod install

Update ios/Runner/Info.plist with:

  • Bundle identifier
  • App name
  • Required permissions

Android​

Update android/app/build.gradle:

  • Application ID
  • Version codes
  • Signing configuration

Building​

Development Build​

# iOS Simulator
flutter run -d ios

# Android Emulator
flutter run -d android

Release Build​

iOS​

flutter build ios --release

Then in Xcode:

  1. Open ios/Runner.xcworkspace
  2. Select Product > Archive
  3. Upload to App Store Connect

Android​

flutter build appbundle --release

Upload build/app/outputs/bundle/release/app-release.aab to Play Console.

App Store Deployment​

iOS (App Store)​

  1. App Store Connect

    • Create app listing
    • Set pricing (free)
    • Add screenshots, description

  2. TestFlight

    • Upload build
    • Internal testing
    • External beta testing

  3. Release

    • Submit for review
    • Typical review: 24-48 hours

Android (Google Play)​

  1. Play Console

    • Create app listing
    • Set content rating
    • Add store listing assets

  2. Testing Tracks

    • Internal testing
    • Closed testing
    • Open testing

  3. Production

    • Submit for review
    • Typical review: 1-7 days

CI/CD​

GitHub Actions​

# .github/workflows/mobile.yml
name: Mobile Build

on:
  push:
    branches: [main]
    paths:
      - 'apps/creator_hub/**'

jobs:
  build-ios:
    runs-on: macos-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - uses: subosito/flutter-action@v2
      - run: flutter build ios --release --no-codesign

  build-android:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - uses: subosito/flutter-action@v2
      - run: flutter build appbundle --release

Fastlane (Optional)​

For automated store deployment:

# ios/fastlane/Fastfile
lane :deploy do
  build_app(scheme: "Runner")
  upload_to_app_store
end

Version Management​

Versioning Scheme​

MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH+BUILD
1.2.3+45
  • MAJOR: Breaking changes
  • MINOR: New features
  • PATCH: Bug fixes
  • BUILD: Incremental build number

Updating Version​

In pubspec.yaml:

version: 1.2.3+45

Monitoring​

Crash Reporting​

Using Firebase Crashlytics:

FlutterError.onError = FirebaseCrashlytics.instance.recordFlutterError;

Analytics​

Using Firebase Analytics:

await FirebaseAnalytics.instance.logEvent(
  name: 'product_viewed',
  parameters: {'product_id': id},
);

Troubleshooting​

iOS Build Failures​

# Clean and rebuild
cd ios && pod deintegrate && pod install
flutter clean && flutter pub get

Android Signing Issues​

Ensure key.properties is configured:

storePassword=xxx
keyPassword=xxx
keyAlias=upload
storeFile=upload-keystore.jks