May I change the package name of my published app on Google Play

Question

I have an android app in the Google Play Store. I am working on a new rev and want to change the package name. Is that allowed?

My application does not have a big audience yet. Is there a way to replace it? As in, may I discontinue the existing one, and replace it with a new one?

Solution

According to this blog post from Android Developers blog, no, you cannot change package name unless you're okay with publishing it as a new app in Play Store:

Once you publish your application under its manifest package name, this is the unique identity of the application forever more. Switching to a different name results in an entirely new application, one that can’t be installed as an update to the existing application.

Android manual confirms it as well here:

Caution: Once you publish your application, you cannot change the package name. The package name defines your application's identity, so if you change it, then it is considered to be a different application and users of the previous version cannot update to the new version.

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If you're okay with publishing new version of your app as a completely new entity, you can do it of course - just remove old app from Play Store (if you want) and publish new one, with different package name.

Comments

[learner]

your answer seems to contradict @kamitual above. I have updated my post. Will you please clarify?

[kamituel]

@learner - it's @kamituel ;) I've updated my answer - you cannot change package name unless you're willing to publish it as a new app in Play Store (which you're fine with, I suppose, seeing your updated OP)