The SHA1 key, also known as a hash key, is an important security credential in Android development.
It is used to confirm the authenticity of an app when connecting to external services like Firebase. Generating a SHA1 key in Android Studio for your Flutter app is easy to do.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get the SHA1 key in Android Studio for Flutter.
Why You Need the SHA1 Key
The SHA1 key is required whenever you need to connect your Android app to an external service like Firebase. It allows the service to confirm that requests are coming from your app and not another source. Some reasons you may need the SHA1 key for Flutter development include:
- Connecting to Firebase services like Cloud Messaging, Authentication, Crashlytics, etc.
- Integrating with payment gateways like Stripe
- Implementing ad networks like AdMob or Facebook Audience Network
- Adding OAuth login providers like Google or Facebook
- Enabling API access to various services that require authentication
How to Get SHA1 Key in Android Studio for Flutter
Here are the steps to generate the SHA1 key within Android Studio for your Flutter app:
- Open your Flutter project in Android Studio.
- Click on the “Gradle” tab on the right side.
- Under the “android” folder, expand “signingReport”.
- Double click on “signingReport” to view the report.
- Copy the SHA1 key listed under the “SHA1” section.
Once you have the key, you can paste it into your Firebase or other service dashboard to connect your app.
Tips for Managing Your SHA1 Keys
Here are some tips for managing SHA1 keys properly for your Flutter apps:
- Generate a new key for every app you publish. Do not reuse keys.
- Keep track of which key belongs to which app, especially if you have many apps.
- Regenerate the key if you believe it has been compromised or leaked.
- Consider storing keys in an encrypted password manager for security.
- Do not share your key publicly or check it into source control!
Pros & Cons of Using the SHA1 Hash Key
Pros:
- Allows services to verify authenticity of app requests
- Prevents abuse of services by unauthorized apps
- Simple and automated for developers to implement
Cons:
- Only indicates app identity, not full security
- Can be compromised if key leaks
- Developers must handle keys carefully
FAQs
Do I need a new SHA1 key for each app?
Yes, you should use a unique SHA1 key for each Android app you publish. Reusing the same key across multiple apps is not secure.
What happens if my key is leaked?
If your SHA1 key is leaked, any other app could use it to impersonate your app. You should regenerate the key and update it with any services you use.
Can I view the key outside Android Studio?
Yes, you can use the keytool command to view SHA1 keys. On Windows run ‘keytool -list -v -keystore “%USERPROFILE%.android\debug.keystore” -alias androiddebugkey -storepass android -keypass android’ and on Mac/Linux run ‘keytool -list -v -keystore ~/.android/debug.keystore -alias androiddebugkey -storepass android -keypass android’.