Apps Keeping up to date with Android Versions

[stolzie]

Hi Everyone,

I am not an Android developer and have been thrown into the deep end to help maintain an application for an engineer who has since left the company. He published an application which was released for Kit Kat.

This application has not been updated on Google play since then. Now that Lollipop has been released and the norm on all new phones. I need to update this application so that the filters on Google play allow it to be seen with the new version of lollipop.

I have tested the APK on lollipop by installing it directly onto the phone and it works as it should. In order for me to update the Version on Google play, do I need to reload a new apk to get it to be seen by the latest versions of phones searching on Google play?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Stolzie

 

[GameTheory]

@stolzie

Here's a quick outline...

You'll need the app's source code and signing key.

1. Import the source code into Android Studio.
2. Open the file "build.gradle" and update "dependencies" if any.
3. Next update "compileSdkVersion" then "targetSdkVersion" both to 22.
4. Next update "versionCode" and "versionName" to a higher number (example: 8 to 9 or 7.1 to 7.2).
5. You may also need to update buildToolsVersion to "22.0.1"
6. Once you've done all the above click on the prompt asking you to sync.
7. If there are no errors after this then you can build and sign the release app and upload it to the play store.

Again this is a quick outline, but should get you updated hopefully.

Tip:
On each of the lines that need to be updated in the "build.gradle" file you can place the cursor and click alt+enter. This will present you the option to update the line for you automatically.

 

[stolzie]

Thanks GameTheory for the outline it is a great start. I should be able to work out how it all works from this I am currently updating the tools to the latest version and then will be trying to compile the application.

Thanks once again for the feedback it is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Stolzie