First, the changes in AppStudio 7.4.2 were required because Google changed its requirements for apps:
https://blog.appstudio.dev/2019/07/phonegap-build-updates-to-cli-9-0-0/
Taking each of your steps in turn:
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No need to change the id. It needs to be unique: you’ll have problems if your id is the same as everyone else’s. Leave the id alone.
Also, the preference lines are not needed. AppStudio 7.4 takes care of setting cli-9.0.0, and the other preference line should not be needed. -
Yes. This is the same as before. Auth tokens have been used by PhoneGap Build since 2014.
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4 5 Yes - same as before.
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7 You’re not saying whether you are doing a debug or release (signed) build. If you’re doing a debug build, you will need to delete the old version before installing the new. Have a look at this thread:
Install new apk without uninstall existing app - #9 -
I have not found this to be necessary.
Google has increased the security on Android apps. The changes you’re seeing are what was needed for that.