https://facebook.github.io/react-native/docs/running-on-device.html Set to build for a generic device Product > Archive and follow prompt
https://facebook.github.io/react-native/docs/signed-apk-android.html
Make sure docker is closed before opening the android emulator.
cd android && ./gradlew assembleRelease
The generated APK can be found under android/app/build/outputs/apk/app-release.apk, and is ready to be distributed.
Test release with: react-native run-android --variant=release
Deploy release to: https://play.google.com/apps/publish