Learn how to publish your Progressive Web App (PWA) to Google Play Store using Trusted Web Activity (TWA). Step-by-step guide including Bubblewrap setup, assetlinks.json verification, AAB generation, and Play Console submission.
🚀 Introduction
You’ve successfully converted your website into a Progressive Web App (PWA).
Now the next powerful step is publishing it to Google Play Store — so users can install it just like any other Android app.
The professional and Google-recommended way to do this is through:
✅ Trusted Web Activity (TWA)
This guide will walk you step-by-step from PWA to Play Store publication.
🧠 What is Trusted Web Activity (TWA)?
Trusted Web Activity allows you to:
Wrap your PWA into an Android app
Publish it on Google Play Store
Run it in full-screen mode (no browser UI)
Use Chrome engine (no WebView)
It requires:
A valid PWA
HTTPS
Digital Asset Links verification
✅ REQUIREMENTS CHECKLIST
Before publishing, make sure your PWA has:
✔ HTTPS
✔ Valid manifest.json
✔ Service Worker working
✔ 192x192 and 512x512 icons
✔ theme_color defined
✔ Offline support
✔ Privacy Policy page
🛠 STEP 1 — Install Node.js
Download and install:
👉 https://nodejs.org
Verify installation:
node -v
npm -v
🛠 STEP 2 — Install Bubblewrap CLI (Official Tool)
Bubblewrap is Google’s official TWA generator.
Run:
npm install -g @bubblewrap/cli
Verify:
bubblewrap --version
🛠 STEP 3 — Initialize Your Android Project
Create a new folder for your app project:
mkdir faulink-app
cd faulink-app
Then run:
bubblewrap init --manifest=https://yourdomain.com/manifest.json
You will be asked:
Question Example
Application name Faulink
Package ID com.faulink.app
Display mode standalone
Signing key Create new
🔐 STEP 4 — Build Android App Bundle (.aab)
Run:
bubblewrap build
After build completes, you will get:
app-release-bundle.aab
This file is what you upload to Play Store.
🔗 STEP 5 — Digital Asset Links Verification (VERY IMPORTANT)
Google requires proof that:
You own the website
The app belongs to that website
Create this file:
/.well-known/assetlinks.json
Example assetlinks.json
[
{
"relation": ["delegate_permission/common.handle_all_urls"],
"target": {
"namespace": "android_app",
"package_name": "com.faulink.app",
"sha256_cert_fingerprints": [
"YOUR_SHA256_FINGERPRINT_HERE"
]
}
}
]
This file must be accessible at:
https://yourdomain.com/.well-known/assetlinks.json
How to Get SHA256 Fingerprint?
Inside your project folder:
keytool -list -v -keystore my-release-key.keystore
Copy the SHA256 fingerprint shown.
🏪 STEP 6 — Create Google Play Developer Account
Go to:
👉 https://play.google.com/console
Pay $25 one-time fee
Create new app
Choose "App" type
Default language
App name
📦 STEP 7 — Upload Your App Bundle
Inside Play Console:
Go to Production
Create new release
Upload app-release-bundle.aab
Add release notes
Save
🖼 STEP 8 — Add Store Listing Information
You must add:
App description
Short description
App icon (512x512 PNG)
Feature graphic (1024x500)
Screenshots (at least 2)
Privacy Policy link
🔒 STEP 9 — Content Rating & Policies
Complete:
Content rating questionnaire
Data safety section
Ads declaration
Target audience section
Make sure:
Privacy policy page exists
App does not violate Play policies
🚀 STEP 10 — Submit for Review
After completing all sections:
Click:
Review → Send for review
Google review takes:
1–3 days (sometimes longer)
📱 After Approval
Your PWA will:
✔ Appear in Play Store
✔ Install like normal app
✔ Open full screen
✔ Auto-update when website updates
💡 Pro Tips for Approval
Avoid excessive ads
Provide clear privacy policy
Ensure app loads fast
No broken links
App must provide real value (not just blank website)
🏁 Conclusion
Publishing a PWA to Google Play Store using Trusted Web Activity is:
Cost-effective
Professional
Scalable
Modern
With the right setup, your website becomes a full Android app — without rebuilding it from scratch.
📌 BONUS SECTION (Optional For Blog)
Can PWAs Really Compete with Native Apps?
Yes. For:
Business portals
School systems
E-commerce
Admin dashboards
Digital services
PWAs offer near-native performance with lower development cost.