Home Android Developers Get New Changelog Feature

Android Developers Get New Changelog Feature

Android developers interested in informing their app’s users of the new features in a latest app update have had no other recourse, until recently, than using the app description field to detail the news. The issue annoyed many developers who felt constricted by the description’s field character limit – only 325 characters.

Now, with a recent update to the Android Market’s backend, developers finally have the “changelog” feature they’ve been asking for.

The new feature is a field called “Recent Changes” and it allows you to add notes about the specific changes to the newest version of your Android application. The changes are linked to each app version, so developers will actually be required to enter information in this field going forward.

How to Use “Recent Changes”

As a best practice, Android developers are asked to only submit details regarding the changes in the current app update, and not try to summarize all the changes the app has seen to date. According to Google, those prior changes will not be made visible to the end user at present, but may be visible in the future.

Given that restriction, we suspect some developers will feel the need to highlight past changes in this field, but we would advise against this. If those recent changes are that important, developers should update the app’s main description instead, along with the list of all the app’s main features.

Another important item to note – the recent changes field won’t have any impact on the search index. That means that if you have introduced new features that should lead users to your app via a Market search, those keywords should be in the app’s description field, not just the changes section.

Recent Changes in Action

Here’s a look at what the new Recent Changes feature looks like, courtesy of the AndroidCommunity.com website, which first discovered the news this morning.

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.