Error importing existing keystore in VS2019 Archive Manager for Android

Question

When trying to import and existing keystore for my Android APK through Archive Manager in VS2019, i get an error and the keystore is not imported. The error message shown isn't telling me anything useful. "Importing keystore SOURCE_PATH to DEST_PATH..."

I'm not sure what's wrong or how I can fix this. I've originally lost the keystore used in the first upload so Google had to reset the certificate etc. I can import an old generated .keystore-file (which cant be uploaded since it differs from the upload cert), however I cannot import the new file.

I have tried using the keytool CMD-tool to list my keystore and it works, so I know the password is correct.

What exactly can I do to solve this issue? Is there any way to get more information out of this useless error message?

Keystore information:

Keystore type: jks Keystore provider: SUN
Your keystore contains 1 entry
upload, 2019-aug-02, PrivateKeyEntry,
Certificate fingerprint (SHA1): ##############

which i generated using the following:

keytool -genkeypair -alias upload -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 9125 -keystore keystore.jks 
keytool -export -rfc -alias upload -file upload_certificate.pem -keystore keystore.jks

Maybe this can help: [https://stackoverflow.com/questions/50563523/cant-import-existing-keystore-to-visual-studio-2017/50563902#50563902](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/50563523/cant-import-existing-keystore-to-visual-studio-2017/50563902#50563902) — VahidShir, Aug 26 '19 at 08:14
@VahidShir Since I don't have the original upload key, this is not possible. I need to import the new key. — Ludvig Åslund, Aug 26 '19 at 08:23
I have had the same error, in my case because I wanted to import the jks file from the desktop. Importing it from the root of disk c didn't fail — Jose Aviles, Mar 29 '20 at 18:01
I found that using password without special characters, allowed me to import the key store. — Mort, Jun 18 '23 at 08:01

score 7 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 26 '19 at 08:26

7

Apparently i was typing the wrong alias which in return caused an error while importing it. Using the alias "upload" fixed it and I am now able to import the keystore.

answered Aug 26 '19 at 08:26

Ludvig Åslund

169
9

I had lost my keystore changing my computers. I generated a new upload key, submitted to Google. I wasn't sure how to import into VS. The alias name was my issue also. THANKS – sonicbabbler Dec 04 '20 at 20:05
@sonicbabbler, normally, you wouldn't be able to update your app with another key. – Olorunfemi Davis Feb 23 '21 at 14:27
Setting alias to match certificate in keystore worked for me. Thanks a lot – enantiomer2000 Mar 17 '23 at 18:03

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 08 '22 at 07:54

I was the same situation in VS 2022, and instead importing i have copied keystore files into: C:\Users<your_user>\AppData\Local\Xamarin\Mono for Android\Keystore<keystore alias name>\

i have used keytool to read at first exisitng keystore alias from a keystore, than used it as a folder name

Error importing existing keystore in VS2019 Archive Manager for Android

2 Answers2