Apps existing package name on new account

[rmillersbs]

We have taken over maintenance of an existing app from another developer. This is a dedicated business app.

They (the developer) provided us with an updated .apk, and we set up our own google play account. We've tried to upload the .apk to the account, but the package name already exists in the previous google play account.

What are our options? Does the app need to be re-compiled with a different package name? Will the resultant app install as a new app as opposed to an update of the previous app?

As you can tell, we are pretty new to this tech.

 

[mills2533]

Instead of getting the apk, you should get all the source code and look at transferring the app between developer accounts.

Getting Acquired: How To Transfer Ownership of Your Android App or Game

 

[rmillersbs]

Thanks mills 2533. We have the source code but had problems getting a dev environment set up with a clean compile so relied on the .apk in a pinch to get the app back on line after the back web app was moved to a new platform and we changed domains. Appreciate the link.