The Release Checklist: 12 Steps Before Publishing an Android App Update

Publishing an update is nerve-wracking. To avoid regressions and user backlash, use this checklist to ensure thorough preparation, testing, and post-release monitoring.

Pre-release Checklist

1. Automated test pass: All unit and integration tests are green in CI.
2. Smoke tests on devices: Run core flows on cloud emulators and at least one physical device.
3. Performance metrics: Confirm memory, startup time, and battery usage within expected thresholds.
4. Permissions review: Check if new permissions are requested and justify them in the Play Store listing.
5. Changelog and release notes: Prepare clear notes for users describing changes and any migration steps.

Release-time Steps

6. Staged rollout: Release to a small percentage first and monitor crash analytics.
7. Feature flags: Use rollout flags to control exposure and quickly disable problematic features.
8. Monitoring configured: Ensure logging, crash reporting, and uptime checks are active.
9. Support prepared: Notify customer support of expected changes and provide troubleshooting scripts.

Post-release Actions

10. Monitor KPIs closely: Watch crash rate, user ratings, and retention signals.
11. Rapid-response channel: Keep a small on-call rotation to fix urgent regressions.
12. Iterate: If issues arise, push hotfixes using the same checklist to avoid regression.

Final Advice

Ship confidently by automating as much as possible, using staged rollouts, and communicating clearly with users. A deliberate release cadence and a calm rollback plan will save time and reputation when things go wrong.