Google Play (Android)

Create a Google Play Developer account for your organization. Follow the instructions in the "How to get started with Play Console" help article.

You will need:

• A form of payment to cover the $25 one-time initial registration fee required to publish apps via Google Play.
• Contact information for your organization as advised in the "Creating a developer account for an organization" section of the Google Play support documentation.
• To create a Google Cloud account.
• After you set up your Google Cloud account, follow the instructions in the "Setting Up a Service Account on Google Cloud for Android App Deployment" article to:
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• Create your custom-branded app in the Google Play store. This process requires you to agree to the Terms of Service and should be completed by the account owner. Follow the instructions in the Create your app section of the "Create and set up your app" help guide.
• When complete, you will have a link to the app in the Google Play store (that you can send to Vantaca in a later section).

Send Required Materials to Vantaca

Vantaca requires materials from you to complete the custom-branded app. Provide the following items to your Vantaca Mobile App Implementation Consultant (currently anna.driscoll@vantca.com) in the exact sizes listed: 

• JSON key/file: From the Google Play (Android) section. As part of creating the developer account, a private key was automatically downloaded and saved to your computer. Send this JSON-based file to Vantaca.
• Logo: The logo that you wish to use for the app. The image must adhere to the following criteria exactly, or it cannot be used in the app store:
  • Square in shape
  • In .SVG format
  • 1024px by 1024px in size (If providing a PNG formatted file in addition to the .SVG)
• Name: The name you want to call the app (instead of Vantaca Home). Remember this will be a public-facing app store name.
• Feature Graphic: Android requires a feature graphic that provides an at-a-glance preview of the app. This image can be the company logo (not necessarily the same as the app icon), or another image. This image must be:
  • Up to 15MB
  • 1,024px by 500px in size
  • In .SVG format.
• Marketing URL: Send the marketing URL that you wish to use for your app (normally the company website).

Frequently Asked Questions

How does our custom-branded app get updated?

Each custom-branded app receives the same release updates at the same time as the Vantaca Home app, whether due to performance improvements, additional features, or to resolve bugs.

Even though clients own the developer accounts each app is published under, Vantaca provides updates to the custom-branded apps.

How can homeowners get the app?

Clients and Homeowners can search for their management company's name in the App Store or the Google Play store to find the custom-branded Home app. If a homeowner's management company has not subscribed to the Custom Branding service that we provide, then they can search for Vantaca Home.

How is the app managed?

Custom-branded apps are partly managed by the client, and partly by Vantaca. The initial setup of the accounts and brand materials are done/sent by the client, while Vantaca supplies the marketing materials and application descriptions. Vantaca is also responsible for uploading all app bundles to the account for app review and publishing.

Important: Clients must advise Vantaca of any communication between themselves and Apple or Google regarding any impending updates, requirements, or expiring licenses. Vantaca assists with keeping the accounts up-to-date and within compliance, but we need each client's help to alert us about any issues in a timely manner.

If the organizations' developer accounts lapse, their homeowners can continue using the app, but it will no longer display in the app stores, and users will not be able to download or update the app until the account is restored.