diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index b1bd8aaab..f8399fb4e 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -27,6 +27,9 @@ test/androidTestEspresso/res/values/arrays.xml
 obj/
 jni/libspeex/.deps/
 
+# ignore debug symbols created by ./tools/upload-release.sh
+*-symbols.zip
+
 # ignore private scripts and directories, eg. local2github.prv.sh
 *.prv*
 
diff --git a/docs/release-checklist.md b/docs/release-checklist.md
index d8ab5909c..c7fe243e3 100644
--- a/docs/release-checklist.md
+++ b/docs/release-checklist.md
@@ -37,14 +37,7 @@ on success, the generated APK is at
 
 # Upload APK to get.delta.chat
 
-7. $ cd gplay/release
-   $ rsync deltachat-gplay-release-VERSION.apk jekyll@download.delta.chat:/var/www/html/download/android/
-   (you need the private SSH key of the jekyll user; you can find it in this file:
-   https://github.com/hpk42/otf-deltachat/blob/master/secrets/delta.chat
-   It is protected with [git-crypt](https://www.agwa.name/projects/git-crypt/) -
-   after installing it, you can decrypt it with `git crypt unlock`. 
-   If your key isn't added to the secrets, you can ask on irc add you.
-   Add the key to your `~/.ssh/config` for the host, or to your ssh-agent, so rsync is able to use it)
+7. $ ./tools/upload-release.sh VERSION
 
 8. a) Test the APK yourself.
       The "Testing checklist" gives some hints.
diff --git a/tools/upload-release.sh b/tools/upload-release.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..20c8f73c8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/upload-release.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+
+VERSION=$1
+
+if [ -z "$VERSION" ]; then
+    echo "this script uploads apk and symbols to get.delta.chat"
+    echo "the script does not upload things to gplay or other stores."
+    echo ""
+    echo "usage: ./tools/upload-release.sh <VERSION>"
+    exit
+fi
+if [[ ${VERSION:0:1} == "v" ]]; then
+    echo "VERSION must not begin with 'v' here."
+    exit
+fi
+
+cd gplay/release
+APK="deltachat-gplay-release-$VERSION.apk"
+ls -l $APK
+read -p "upload this apk and belonging symbols to get.delta.chat? ENTER to continue, CTRL-C to abort."
+
+# you need the private SSH key of the jekyll user; you can find it in this file:
+# https://github.com/hpk42/otf-deltachat/blob/master/secrets/delta.chat
+# It is protected with [git-crypt](https://www.agwa.name/projects/git-crypt/) -
+# after installing it, you can decrypt it with `git crypt unlock`.
+# If your key isn't added to the secrets, and you know some of the team in person,
+# you can ask on irc #deltachat for access.
+# Add the key to your `~/.ssh/config` for the host, or to your ssh-agent, so rsync is able to use it)
+rsync --progress $APK jekyll@download.delta.chat:/var/www/html/download/android/
+
+cd ../..
+SYMBOLS_ZIP="$APK-symbols.zip"
+rm $SYMBOLS_ZIP
+zip -r $SYMBOLS_ZIP obj
+ls -l $SYMBOLS_ZIP
+rsync --progress $SYMBOLS_ZIP jekyll@download.delta.chat:/var/www/html/download/android/
\ No newline at end of file