Steps to creating an Android build using Android Studio

Each time a release is prepared for Google Play, the steps I work through are as follows.

Preparation to run a build

Check the Gradle build settings

Directed to the build.gradle file using the following file path

~/android/app/

The area of code in the build-gradle file to focus:

android {
    signingConfigs {
        debug {
            storeFile file('{file-path}/private_key.pepk')
            storePassword '{password}'
            keyAlias '{alias}'
            keyPassword '{password}'
        }
        release {
            storeFile file('{file-path}/Android-keys/{project}/private_key.pepk')
            storePassword '{password}'
            keyAlias '{alias}'
            keyPassword '{password}'
        }
    }
    compileSdkVersion rootProject.ext.compileSdkVersion
    defaultConfig {
        applicationId '{application-id}'
        minSdkVersion rootProject.ext.minSdkVersion
        targetSdkVersion rootProject.ext.targetSdkVersion
        versionCode {build-number}
        versionName '{version}'
        testInstrumentationRunner "androidx.test.runner.AndroidJUnitRunner"
        aaptOptions {
             // Files and dirs to omit from the packaged assets dir, modified to accommodate modern web apps.
             // Default: https://android.googlesource.com/platform/frameworks/base/+/{base-code}/tools/aapt/AaptAssets.cpp#61
            ignoreAssetsPattern '!.svn:!.git:!.ds_store:!*.scc:.*:!CVS:!thumbs.db:!picasa.ini:!*~'
        }
        versionNameSuffix '0'
    }
    buildTypes {
        release {
            minifyEnabled false
            proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
            debuggable false
            jniDebuggable false
            renderscriptDebuggable false
        }
        debug {
            debuggable false
            jniDebuggable false
            renderscriptDebuggable false
            minifyEnabled false
        }
    }
}

As each build is prepared, update the versionCode.  Currently defined above as {build-number}, and increment by one.

Running a build

In Android Studio, go to 

build > Generate Signed Bundle / APK...

Select Android App Bundle

Click Next

Check the following fields

Key store path: {path}/{key}.jks
Key store password: {keystore-password}
Key alias: {key-alias}
Key password: {key-password}

check - Remember passwords
uncheck - Export encrypted key for enrolling published apps in Google Play App Signing

Click Next

The script will run creating a release.  Once completed and successful, either click on locate in the pop-up window or go to the directory

~/android/app/release/

Upload or drag and drop this file on to your Google Play environment.