A more detailed description is also mentioned here: https://facebook.github.io/react-native/docs/signed-apk-android.html
keytool -genkey -v -keystore my-app-key.keystore -alias my-app-alias -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 10000
Use a password when prompted
react-native bundle --platform android --dev false --entry-file index.android.js \
--bundle-output android/app/src/main/assets/index.android.bundle \
--assets-dest android/app/src/main/res/
cd android && ./gradlew assembleRelease
Upload the APK to your phone. The -r flag will replace the existing app (if it exists)
adb install -r ./app/build/outputs/apk/app-release-unsigned.apk
The shareable signed APK is located at:
./app/build/outputs/apk/app-release.apk