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Retrieves the latest build numbers (version codes) from Google Play Store and Apple App Store to ensure your next build uses a higher number.

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Syntax

php artisan native:check-build-number {platform} [options]

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Arguments

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platform

The platform to check. Required.
  • android - Check Google Play Store
  • ios - Check Apple App Store Connect
  • both - Check both platforms

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Options

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—google-service-key=PATH

Path to Google Service Account JSON key file (required for Android). 
php artisan native:check-build-number android --google-service-key=./service-account.json
Alternatively, set GOOGLE_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_KEY in .env.

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—api-key=PATH

Path to App Store Connect API key file (required for iOS). 
php artisan native:check-build-number ios --api-key=./AuthKey.p8
Alternatively, set APP_STORE_API_KEY_PATH in .env.

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—update

Update local build number to store latest + 1. 
php artisan native:check-build-number android --update
This updates NATIVEPHP_APP_VERSION_CODE in your .env file.

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—jump-by=NUMBER

Add extra number to the suggested version (e.g., --jump-by=10 to skip ahead). 
php artisan native:check-build-number android --jump-by=10
Useful when you want to reserve build numbers or skip ahead for any reason.

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Examples

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Check Android build number

php artisan native:check-build-number android
Output: 
Play Store latest: 42
Local current: 40
Suggested next: 43
To update: add --update flag

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Check and auto-update

php artisan native:check-build-number android --update
Updates .env with next build number.

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Check with jump ahead

php artisan native:check-build-number android --jump-by=5
Output: 
Play Store latest: 42
Local current: 40
Original suggested: 43
Jumping by: 5
Final suggested: 48

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Check both platforms

php artisan native:check-build-number both

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What it does

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Android

  1. Connects to Google Play Console API using service account
  2. Retrieves latest version code from all tracks (internal, alpha, beta, production)
  3. Compares with local NATIVEPHP_APP_VERSION_CODE
  4. Suggests next version code (latest + 1 + jump-by)
  5. Optionally updates .env with new version code

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iOS

  1. Connects to App Store Connect API
  2. Retrieves latest build number from all builds
  3. Compares with local NATIVEPHP_APP_VERSION_CODE
  4. Suggests next build number (latest + 1)
  5. Optionally updates .env with new build number

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Build number vs Version name

  • Build number (version code): Integer that must increase with each release
    • Android: versionCode (e.g., 42)
    • iOS: CFBundleVersion (e.g., 42)
    • Set via: NATIVEPHP_APP_VERSION_CODE
  • Version name: User-facing version string
    • Android: versionName (e.g., “1.2.3”)
    • iOS: CFBundleShortVersionString (e.g., “1.2.3”)
    • Set via: NATIVEPHP_APP_VERSION

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Requirements

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Android (Google Play)

You need a Google Cloud Service Account with Play Console access:
  1. Go to Google Cloud Console
  2. Create a service account
  3. Download JSON key
  4. Grant “Release Manager” access in Play Console
  5. Set path in .env or use --google-service-key

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iOS (App Store Connect)

You need App Store Connect API credentials:
  1. Go to App Store Connect > Users and Access > Keys
  2. Create an API key with “Developer” role
  3. Download .p8 file
  4. Note the Key ID and Issuer ID
  5. Set in .env or use CLI options

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Environment variables

# Build number (shared for both platforms)
NATIVEPHP_APP_VERSION_CODE=42

# Android
GOOGLE_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_KEY=/path/to/service-account.json

# iOS
APP_STORE_API_KEY_PATH=/path/to/AuthKey.p8
APP_STORE_API_KEY_ID=ABC123XYZ
APP_STORE_API_ISSUER_ID=xyz-issuer-id

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Common workflows

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Before building for production

Check and update build number before packaging: 
php artisan native:check-build-number android --update
php artisan native:package android --build-type=bundle

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Reserve build numbers

Skip ahead to reserve numbers: 
# Reserve 10 build numbers for internal testing
php artisan native:check-build-number android --jump-by=10 --update

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CI/CD integration

Automate in your deployment pipeline: 
# Auto-update before building
php artisan native:check-build-number both --update
php artisan native:package android --build-type=bundle
php artisan native:package ios

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Troubleshooting

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”No releases found”

This appears for new apps with no published builds. The suggested next build number is 1.

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”Could not connect to Play Console”

Check:
  • Service account JSON key is valid
  • Service account has “Release Manager” role
  • API is enabled in Google Cloud Console

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”Could not connect to App Store Connect”

Check:
  • API key file path is correct
  • Key ID and Issuer ID are correct
  • API key has “Developer” role

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See also

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