Google Play Console & Android Release Engineering Glossary
Clear technical definitions for every identifier, compliance form, and release track inside Google Play Console.
#aab-android-app-bundleAndroid App Bundle (.AAB)
Google Play's mandatory publishing format that contains all your app's compiled code and resources, deferring APK generation and signing to Google Play.
Since August 2021, all new apps submitted to Google Play must use the `.aab` format (maximum 100 MB base module before Play Asset Delivery). When ordering on PlayGate, you upload a release-signed `.aab` on Step 1.
#developer-account-id-19-digits19-Digit Google Play Developer ID
The unique 19-digit numeric identifier assigned to every Google Play Console account, visible in the browser URL after `/developers/`.
Required as the target destination when receiving an official Google Play App Transfer. Example format: `7482910394857162534`.
#registration-transaction-idPlay Console Registration Transaction ID
The payment receipt ID from your $25 Google Play Console registration fee (or new console verification code) used to authorize incoming app transfers.
Found by searching your account owner's Gmail inbox for `developer registration fee`. Typically starts with `PDS.` or `0123...token.`.
#duns-number-google-playD-U-N-S Number (Dun & Bradstreet)
A 9-digit global business identifier required by Google to verify Organization Google Play Developer Accounts.
Your company name and physical street address in Google Payments must match your D-U-N-S profile character-for-character to pass Google Play Organization verification.
#closed-testing-12-testers-14-days12/20 Testers 14-Day Closed Testing Gate
Google Play's requirement that newly created Personal developer accounts test every new app with at least 12 opted-in testers continuously for 14 days before applying for Production.
Exemptions apply to verified Organization accounts and apps published on established accounts then transferred via Google Play App Transfer ($75).
#data-safety-sectionGoogle Play Data Safety Section
A mandatory Play Console declaration disclosing what user data your app and its third-party SDKs collect, share, and encrypt.
Google's bytecode scanner checks your `.aab` dependencies (e.g., Firebase, Sentry, OneSignal) against your Data Safety form answers.
#iarc-content-ratingIARC Content Rating Certificate
International Age Rating Coalition questionnaire inside Play Console that generates age ratings (ESRB, PEGI, USK, etc.) for your Android app or game.
Collected in Section 5 of PlayGate's Step 1 intake form so our engineers generate an accurate rating certificate during submission.
#android-vitalsAndroid Vitals (Crash & ANR Thresholds)
Google Play's technical quality telemetry measuring user-perceived crash rate (bad behavior threshold: 1.09%) and ANR rate (0.47%).
Exceeding Google Play's bad behavior thresholds demotes your search ranking and removes your app from featured recommendations. Monitored under our +$50 Account Maintenance add-on.