VoltBuilder
VoltBuilder is a replacement for PhoneGap Build. It is a service which takes the files from a web app (such as those produced by AppStudio) and turns them into a native Android and iOS app.
To use it from AppStudio, you will need a VoltBuilder Plan. There's a discounted rate for AppStudio user. More information here.
VoltBuilder compared to PhoneGap Build
- Builds are made using XCode 12 or later, so apps meet iTunes Connect requirements
- Signing keys are uploaded with the app and deleted as soon as the build is complete. They are not stored on the VoltBuilder site.
- Build times can be faster
- Resulting builds are smaller
- You can use the same signing keys as with PhoneGap Build
- As with PhoneGap, you do not need to install Xcode, Android Studio or anything else for it to work.
- As with PhoneGap, you can use a Windows or Mac computer.
How to set up VoltBuilder in AppStudio
Put your certificates in the Certificates folder (in your Project Directory) In Project Properties, in the VoltBuilder and Cordova section, fill in the following properties:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Properties required to build for Android. If you leave them blank, VoltBuilder will generate the keystore automatically. | |
| androidAlias | Name of the alias in the android keystore file. Must be in certificates folder. |
| androidAliasPassword | Password for alias in the Android keystore file. |
| androidKeystore | A .keystore file, generated by this procedure. Required for release builds. You can generate it using VoltSigner. |
| androidKeystorePassword | Password. |
| androidPackageType | Normally apk. For Google Play Store, set to 'bundle' to get an .aab file and set release to "release". |
| googlePlayKey | This is the name of the keyfile which will let VoltBuilder submit to Google, without allowing VoltBuilder to see any secure information. Go to Upload to Google Play for instructions on getting your key. (.json). See voltbuilder.json |
| googlePlayTrack | This is the Google Play Store track. |
| Properties required to build for iOS | |
| appStoreAccount | Your Apple ID. |
| appStoreAppPassword | This is an app specific password will let VoltBuilder submit to Apple, without allowing VoltBuilder to see any secure information. Go to the Apple ID page and sign in. In the Security section, click on 'Generate Password...' Use VoltBuilder as your password label. You'll get back a string like wxyz-ymul-hbqn-xxxx which you paste here. |
| iosDevP12 | The p12 file is generated from the development certificate downloaded from Apple. See Submitting to the iOS App Store. You can use the same p12 for multiple apps. Leave blank if you are not building for iOS. |
| iosDevP12Password | The password specified when exporting the .p12 file. Leave blank if you are not building for iOS. |
| iosDevelopment | The mobileprovision file is downloaded from Apple. It specifies which devices the app is allowed to run on. You need a separate mobileprovision file for each one of your apps. Leave blank if you are not building for iOS. |
| iosDistP12 | The p12 file is generated from the distribution certificate downloaded from Apple. See Submitting to the iOS App Store. Leave blank if you are not building for iOS Distribution. |
| iosDistP12Password | The password specified when exporting the .p12 file. Leave blank if you are not building for iOS Distribution. |
| iosDistribution | The mobileprovision file is downloaded from Apple. It specifies which devices the app is allowed to run on. You need a separate mobileprovision file for each one of your apps. Leave blank if you are not building for iOS Distribution. |
| iosPackageType | This field has the following settings:
|
| Other Properties | |
| BuildCounter | Counts the number of builds so each build has a unique versionCode |
| config.xml | Configuration data. See the docs. |
| icon (1024) | Icon template. Must be 1024x1024 png, jpg or jpeg. If not supplied, AppStudio icon will be used. |
| platform | What platform do you want to build for? Android, iOS or Windows. |
| release | What kind of build is this? debug or release. |
| splash (2732) | Splash screen template. Must be 2732x2732 png, jpg or jpeg. If not supplied, AppStudio splash screen will be used. File should be dragged into the top level of the Project Explorer. |
| splash background | Background Color of splash background (Android) as #RRGGBB |
| statusbarColor | Background Color of statusbar as #RRGGBB. Can not be blank. |
| statusbarOverlay | Should the statusbar overlay the app? |
| statusbarStyle | Style: default, lightcontent, blacktranslucent, blackopaque |
| verbose | Controls the amount of debugging in the log. |
How to run VoltBuilder from AppStudio
Use 'Make Native App with VoltBuilder' in the run menu. In about a minute (depending on the size of your app and the server load), you will get a link to download your app.