Create an evidence-based Android and iOS release handoff.
A configured project is not a signed artifact, a signed artifact is not a tested release, and a submitted release is not an approved rollout. Track evidence at every boundary.
Use a release evidence chain
For each state, record owner, timestamp, version, environment, evidence link, and next gate. A platform such as BuildMakr publicly labels mobile delivery as provider-gated; expect the same honesty from any build system.
Gate 1: product and source readiness
- Release scope, version, commit/configuration, and dependencies are frozen.
- Production API, identity, data migration, notifications, links, and support paths are ready.
- Privacy, permissions, account deletion, data safety, age, content, and regulated requirements have owners.
- Accessibility and representative-device testing cover critical workflows.
- Crash, performance, security, and offline/recovery cases meet defined thresholds.
Gate 2: identifiers, signing, and provider
Confirm bundle/package identifiers, version/build numbers, application name, icons, permissions, entitlements, universal/app links, environments, and update compatibility. Verify who controls developer accounts, certificates, keys, profiles, and recovery access.
A queued provider job proves only that a request was accepted. Preserve job ID, logs, input version, toolchain, and result. A successful result must identify a downloadable artifact and its checksum.
Gate 3: artifact testing
| Area | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Install/upgrade | Clean install, supported upgrade, data preserved, uninstall expectations |
| Identity | Sign-up/in, recovery, logout, deletion, expired sessions |
| Core workflow | Normal, invalid, interrupted, duplicate, offline, provider-failure cases |
| Device | Representative OS versions, sizes, orientation, permissions, low storage/network |
| Quality | Crash-free test, startup and interaction checks, logs, accessibility |
| Environment | Production endpoints, push, deep links, purchases, analytics/consent as applicable |
Gate 4: store record and review
Prepare accurate descriptions, screenshots from the current build, category, support and privacy URLs, age/content answers, data disclosures, export-compliance information, review notes, test account, and reviewer instructions. Do not advertise provider-gated or incomplete features.
Use the current Apple review guidelines and Android launch checklist linked above; store policies and consoles change, so confirm them at the time of submission.
Gate 5: rollout and recovery
- Choose manual, phased, staged, or percentage rollout appropriate to risk.
- Define health signals: crashes, startup, authentication, core completion, API errors, support contacts, ratings.
- Name the person who can halt rollout.
- Prepare server-side feature flags or safe degradation for risky functions.
- Understand platform limits on binary rollback; maintain a compatible backend and forward-fix plan.
- Coordinate support scripts, status communication, and incident response.
Close the release
Record store version, artifact checksum, approval, rollout dates, production configuration, known issues, monitoring dashboard, support handoff, and retrospective actions. Keep signing and developer-account recovery current before the next urgent release.
Plan compatibility across versions
Mobile users do not all update at once. Define how long the backend supports the previous app version, how mandatory updates are communicated, and how schema or API changes remain compatible during rollout. Test old-client behavior against the new production service before migration. If a minimum version becomes necessary, provide a clear, accessible update path instead of allowing unexplained failures.
Track store processing and review separately by platform. An Android rollout should not be reported as an iOS launch, and approval in one region or track does not establish availability everywhere.
Make sure the shipped workflow is complete with the MVP map, and evaluate a builder’s export and release claims with the platform scorecard.
Sources and further reading
Primary and contextual sources used to verify definitions or give readers a relevant next resource.
- Apple App Review Guidelines Primary Apple requirements and review guidance.
- Android launch checklist Primary Android guidance for technical and publishing readiness.
- BuildMakr release platform A product example that explicitly distinguishes configuration, provider-gated build jobs, artifacts, and external store work.