How to obtain the SHA fingerprint in Android Studio?

Introduction:

SHA (Secure Hash Algorithm) is a widely used cryptographic function that generates fixed-length bit strings from variable-length input data. In the world of Android development, SHA fingerprints are essential for ensuring the security and authenticity of your app’s code. By using a SHA fingerprint, you can verify that the code you downloaded or uploaded to an app store is the same as the original code published by the developer.

Introduction
In this article, we will explore how to obtain SHA fingerprints in Android Studio. We will cover various approaches and techniques, including the use of command-line tools, third-party libraries, and API calls. Additionally, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to use these fingerprints to verify the authenticity of your app’s code.

Approach 1: Using Command-Line Tools

One of the simplest ways to obtain a SHA fingerprint for an Android project is by using command-line tools. The most commonly used tool is "jarsigner," which comes with the Java Development Kit (JDK) that you use to develop Android apps.
To generate a SHA fingerprint, follow these steps:

  1. Open your Android Studio project and navigate to the build folder of your app. This can be done by right-clicking on the project in the Project Explorer and selecting "Show in File Explorer."
  2. Locate the "build/outputs" folder and the "jarsigned-apk" file that contains the signed version of your app’s APK (Android Package Kit).
  3. Open a command prompt or terminal window and navigate to the directory where the jarsigned-apk file is located.
  4. Use the following command to generate a SHA-256 fingerprint for your app:
    bash
    jarsigner -verify -printf SHA256SUM -file jarsigned-apk

This will output a hexadecimal string representing the SHA-256 fingerprint of your app’s APK. You can use this fingerprint to verify the authenticity of your app’s code when you publish it on an app store or share it with other developers.

Approach 2: Using Third-Party Libraries

Another way to obtain a SHA fingerprint in Android Studio is by using third-party libraries. There are several libraries available that can generate SHA fingerprints programmatically, including "jssigner" and "jarjar-packr."
To use these libraries, you will need to add them as dependencies to your app’s build file. For example, in an Android Studio project that uses Maven