# Play: bundle was signed in debug mode

> Getting the error “bundle was signed in debug mode”? Here is how to fix it. Play only accepts a release build signed with your upload key.

**Play: bundle was signed in debug mode.** The app bundle was built with the debug signing config. Google Play only accepts release builds signed with your upload key.

- Google Play. The bundle is signed for debugging.
- Interactive page: https://capwr.app/free-tools/build-error-explainer/signed-in-debug-mode
- Build error explainer: https://capwr.app/free-tools/build-error-explainer
- Last updated: 2026-10-03

## What this error means

The app bundle was built with the debug signing config. Google Play only accepts release builds signed with your upload key.

## Why it happens

The upload is a debug-signed APK or app bundle. Play only accepts a release build signed with the upload key.

## The message tools print

```
Google Api Error: Invalid request - You uploaded an APK or Android App Bundle that was signed in debug mode. You need to sign your APK or Android App Bundle in release mode.
```

## How to fix it

1. Build the release variant (bundleRelease) with a signing config that uses your upload keystore.

## Check a log that shows this

Paste the failing step into the [build error explainer](https://capwr.app/free-tools/build-error-explainer). It matches this message, and any others in the same log, in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.

## Other Google Play errors

- [Play: version code has already been used](https://capwr.app/free-tools/build-error-explainer/version-code-has-already-been-used)
- [Android App Bundle is signed with the wrong key](https://capwr.app/free-tools/build-error-explainer/app-bundle-signed-with-the-wrong-key)
- [Google Play: Package not found](https://capwr.app/free-tools/build-error-explainer/package-not-found)
- [Play: the caller does not have permission](https://capwr.app/free-tools/build-error-explainer/caller-does-not-have-permission)
- [Play: app must target a higher API level](https://capwr.app/free-tools/build-error-explainer/must-target-api-level)

## Upload the next Play build without this error

CapWrapp bumps the version code on every ship and uploads the release bundle to Google Play. The first Play upload is still by hand — after that, ships go through the service account.

[Get started free](https://capwr.app/login).

## About CapWrapp

CapWrapp turns a web app on GitHub — built with Lovable, Bolt, Base44, Cursor or by hand — into iPhone and Android apps. It adds Capacitor if the repo needs it, signs the builds, and ships them to TestFlight and Google Play from GitHub Actions, with no Mac or Xcode on your side. [Get started free](https://capwr.app/login) · [Lovable to App Store guide](https://capwr.app/guides/lovable-to-app-store)