# How to register a package name in the Android Developer Console

By Rotomal team · Updated 2026-11-03 · Part of [Android Verify Ready](https://rotomal.com/android-dev-verify/)

**Short answer:** After your identity is verified, open the Packages page in the Android Developer Console, enter the package name, and add the SHA-256 fingerprint of your signing certificate. For an existing package you then prove ownership by uploading an APK signed with your private key that contains a snippet the console gives you. The status moves from In review to Registered, and you get an email.

## The three steps

- Enter the package name you want to register.
- Add the SHA-256 certificate fingerprint of your app's signing key. The status becomes In review.
- For existing package names, add the snippet the console provides to the APK's assets folder, sign the APK with your private key, and upload it. When accepted, the status changes to Registered and you are notified by email.

## Get your certificate fingerprint

The SHA-256 fingerprint is public information about your certificate, not the key itself. You can read it from your keystore with the JDK's keytool, or from an already signed APK with apksigner from the Android SDK build tools.

```
keytool -list -v -keystore my-release-key.jks -alias my-key-alias
```

```
apksigner verify --print-certs app-release.apk
```

## When someone else uses the same package name

| Situation | Google's rule |
| --- | --- |
| One key has more than 50% of known installs | That developer has priority; others need a different name or an exception |
| No majority, but keys with 50 or more installs | Every developer with 50+ installs can register |
| No key has 50 installs | First come, first served |

If you are not eligible, Google says you can request to register or share the name through an extra review with proof of ownership and a legitimate reason, but the name may also be used by others. A new package name is often simpler.

## Several keys or a lost key

- The Android Developer Console lets you add and verify multiple signing keys for a single package.
- If you use Play App Signing, Google says your eligible apps are claimed automatically.
- If you lose your signing key, Google says you will not be able to register that package. The way forward is a new package name, which users install as a new app.

## Check the status

- Android Developer Console: the Package names tab shows Registered, Not registered or Draft.
- Play Console: the Android developer verification page shows status next to each app.
- Android Studio Panda 4 and later shows registration status when you generate a signed bundle or APK.
- For many packages, the Developer ID Status API checks eligibility and the Console API registers names and keys from your pipeline.

## If you want help

Android Verify Ready checks your package names and fingerprints against these rules before you submit, writes the proof-of-ownership build steps for your project, and plans a rename if a key is lost. From $49 per app; your keys never leave your machine.

## FAQ

### Do I have to upload my private key?

No. You upload only the SHA-256 fingerprint and an APK that you signed with your key. The key stays with you.

### Can one package have more than one signing key?

Yes. The Android Developer Console lets you add and verify multiple signing keys for a single package.

### My package name is already in use by someone else. What now?

Google allocates it by share of known installs. If you are not eligible, you can request an exception with proof of ownership, or switch to a different package name.

### I lost my signing key. Can I still register?

Google says no for that package. Ship the app under a new package name and ask users to install the new version.

### Can I automate registration?

Yes. Google's Android Developer Console API registers package names and keys, and the Developer ID Status API checks eligibility and status, for use in CI/CD.

## Sources

- Android Developers: Android Developer Console guide https://developer.android.com/developer-verification/guides/android-developer-console
- Android Developers: Developer verification FAQ (keys and packages) https://developer.android.com/developer-verification/guides/faq
- Android Developers: Sign your app https://developer.android.com/studio/publish/app-signing
- Android Developers: apksigner (verify --print-certs) https://developer.android.com/tools/apksigner

[Android Verify Ready](https://rotomal.com/android-dev-verify/) does this for you. Request it free, no card: https://rotomal.com/android-dev-verify/request/
---
Rotomal · https://rotomal.com/android-dev-verify/register-package-name/ · hello@rotomal.com