diff --git a/demo-app/build.gradle.kts b/demo-app/build.gradle.kts
index 72279b09..ac3f6b32 100644
--- a/demo-app/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/demo-app/build.gradle.kts
@@ -72,8 +72,14 @@ android {
                     File("proguard-project.txt")
                 )
             )
+            val isSignReleaseBuildWithDebugKey = project.property("IS_SIGN_RELEASE_BUILD_WITH_DEBUG_KEY")
+                .toString().toBoolean()
+
             if (isReleaseSigningConfigured) {
                 signingConfig = signingConfigs.getByName("release")
+            } else if (isSignReleaseBuildWithDebugKey) {
+                // Warning: in this case the release build signed with the debug key
+                signingConfig = signingConfigs.getByName("debug")
             }
         }
     }
diff --git a/gradle.properties b/gradle.properties
index 4d7bd278..a3e94ded 100644
--- a/gradle.properties
+++ b/gradle.properties
@@ -59,6 +59,9 @@ ZCASH_RELEASE_KEYSTORE_PASSWORD=
 ZCASH_RELEASE_KEY_ALIAS=
 ZCASH_RELEASE_KEY_ALIAS_PASSWORD=
 
+# Switch this property to true only if you need to sign the release build with a debug key for local development.
+IS_SIGN_RELEASE_BUILD_WITH_DEBUG_KEY=false
+
 # Versions
 ANDROID_MIN_SDK_VERSION=21
 ANDROID_TARGET_SDK_VERSION=33