How to Fix the Keystore file not found Error in Flutter for Android Release Builds

Описание: Overcome the frustrating `Keystore file not found` error in Flutter by learning how to set up your keystore correctly for Android release builds.
---
This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/67559901/ asked by the user 'Sam' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/2514402/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/67560408/ provided by the user 'Sam' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/2514402/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: Keystore file 'C:\...\android\app\ keystore.jks ' not found for signing config 'release'

Also, Content (except music) licensed under CC BY-SA https://meta.stackexchange.com/help/l...
The original Question post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... ) license, and the original Answer post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... ) license.

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
Understanding the Keystore File Not Found Error

When building a Flutter app for Android, developers may encounter the dreaded error message that states, "Keystore file 'C:...\android\app keystore.jks ' not found for signing config 'release'.". This problem can leave you feeling frustrated, especially after generating your keystore multiple times without a solution in sight.

The Challenge

The primary issue arises when attempting to sign your APK for release. Typically, this process involves specifying a keystore file that Android Studio (AS) uses to sign the app. If the path to the keystore is incorrect or improperly formatted, you'll receive an error indicating the file cannot be found. The question often becomes:

What went wrong? It’s common to overlook certain details when configuring your signing settings.

The Frustrations of Multiple Attempts

In trying to solve this problem, you might find yourself creating a keystore file more than once, perhaps at different paths, but still facing the same error. A developer might start with a basic implementation like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

However, if Android Studio doesn’t recognize the correct path, it can lead to another error, such as:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This back-and-forth can be torturous!

The Solution: Proper Configuration of Your Keystore

Fortunately, there’s a simple fix for this issue that can save you from the frustrations you've faced. Here’s a well-structured guide to ensure you are correctly setting up your keystore without errors.

Steps to Resolve the Keystore Error

Generate Your Keystore File
Make sure that you've created your keystore.jks file correctly using the Java keytool command.

Correct Placement of Keystore
While you may think it's best to keep it in your project directory, you can choose a path that is easy to reference. Note down this path. For example:
C:\Users\Sam\StudioProjects\keystore\keystore.jks.

Adjust Your key.properties File
Remove any angle brackets (< >) used in the key.properties file. These brackets can confuse the system and prevent Android Studio from locating the keystore. It should look like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Configure build.gradle
Ensure that the build.gradle file in your app directory references the key.properties accurately. It usually looks like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Rebuild Your APK
After making these changes, clean and rebuild your APK. You can do this through Android Studio by selecting Build Clean Project and then Build Build Bundle(s) / APK(s).

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can successfully eliminate the Keystore file not found error, ensuring a smooth process in signing your APK. Always remember the importance of syntax and formatting in configuration files. If you find that you’re still encountering issues, double-check the paths and any accidental bracket insertions that might lead to confusion.

Happy coding! Your journey through mobile app development just got a little bit easier!