diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4f074fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+.DS_Store
+**/.DS_Store
diff --git a/apk-direct-release-guide.md b/apk-direct-release-guide.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1c25ed6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apk-direct-release-guide.md
@@ -0,0 +1,138 @@
+# Direct APK Release Guide (No Play Store)
+
+This guide is for shipping Dewemoji Android builds as downloadable `.apk` files from your own site.
+
+## 1) One-time prerequisites
+
+1. Decide and keep a stable Android package id (example: `com.dewemoji.app`).
+2. Create and securely store a release keystore.
+3. Keep the same keystore for all future updates.
+4. Keep `versionCode` strictly increasing for each release.
+
+If keystore or package id changes, users will not receive in-place updates.
+
+---
+
+## 2) Build release APK
+
+Use your Android build command (NativePHP/Capacitor/Gradle), and ensure output is a **release APK**.
+
+Typical Gradle command:
+
+```bash
+./gradlew assembleRelease
+```
+
+Expected output path (common):
+
+```bash
+android/app/build/outputs/apk/release/app-release.apk
+```
+
+---
+
+## 3) Sign and verify APK
+
+If your build pipeline does not auto-sign, sign manually.
+
+### A) Sign
+
+```bash
+apksigner sign \
+  --ks /path/to/keystore.jks \
+  --ks-key-alias your_alias \
+  --out dewemoji-vX.Y.Z.apk \
+  android/app/build/outputs/apk/release/app-release.apk
+```
+
+### B) Verify signature
+
+```bash
+apksigner verify --verbose --print-certs dewemoji-vX.Y.Z.apk
+```
+
+---
+
+## 4) Generate checksum
+
+Publish SHA-256 so users can verify file integrity.
+
+```bash
+shasum -a 256 dewemoji-vX.Y.Z.apk
+```
+
+Record output in release notes.
+
+---
+
+## 5) Upload APK to your server
+
+Recommended path:
+
+```text
+https://dewemoji.com/downloads/dewemoji-vX.Y.Z.apk
+```
+
+Recommended server headers:
+
+1. `Content-Type: application/vnd.android.package-archive`
+2. `Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="dewemoji-vX.Y.Z.apk"`
+3. Serve over HTTPS only
+
+---
+
+## 6) Update Download page content
+
+On your `/download` page, show:
+
+1. Version (`vX.Y.Z`)
+2. Build date
+3. File size
+4. Minimum Android version
+5. SHA-256 checksum
+6. Install instructions
+7. Changelog
+
+Recommended install instructions for users:
+
+1. Download APK from official Dewemoji URL.
+2. Open file on Android.
+3. Allow installation from browser/files app if prompted.
+4. Install/update.
+
+---
+
+## 7) Release checklist
+
+Before publishing:
+
+1. Login works
+2. Search works
+3. Copy/insert flow works on device
+4. Theme/tone UI works
+5. Billing links/webviews (if used) open correctly
+6. No crash on cold start
+7. Version updated and visible in app
+
+---
+
+## 8) Quick rollback
+
+If latest APK is bad:
+
+1. Re-point Download button to previous APK URL.
+2. Keep bad APK file archived (do not overwrite silently).
+3. Publish rollback notice/changelog update.
+
+---
+
+## 9) Recommended file naming
+
+Use immutable names:
+
+```text
+dewemoji-v1.1.1.apk
+dewemoji-v1.1.2.apk
+```
+
+Avoid re-uploading different binaries under the same filename.