Migrating Your Existing App to Tapcart
If you already have a mobile app published in the App Store or Google Play Store, Tapcart can update over it, your customers won't need to download a new app. This guide covers what to expect during the migration process, how it works behind the scenes, and what to communicate to your customers.
In this article:
How Tapcart migrates over your existing app
iOS migration steps
Android migration steps (including upload key reset)
What your customers will experience
Communicating the update to your audience
How It Works
Tapcart publishes app updates using your existing app's Bundle ID (iOS) and Package Name (Android). Because we use the same identifiers, the App Store and Google Play treat it as an update to your current app, not a new listing. This means:
Your existing app store listing, ratings, and reviews are preserved
Customers with auto-update enabled will receive the new version automatically (typically overnight on Wi-Fi)
Customers without auto-update can manually update from the App Store or Google Play
The app URL and download link remain the same
iOS Migration
For iOS, the migration is straightforward once Tapcart has been invited to your Apple Developer account with Admin access:
Tapcart builds your new app using your existing Bundle ID
The build is submitted as an update to your current App Store listing
Apple reviews and approves the update (typically 24–48 hours)
The update is released to your customers
Prerequisite: Ensure your PLA (Program License Agreement) is accepted in App Store Connect. An unsigned PLA will block the submission.
Android Migration
Android migrations may require an additional step to reset your app upload key. This is necessary when the previous app provider used a different signing key.
Your Implementation Specialist will check whether an upload key reset is needed
If required, you'll need to submit a key reset request through Google Play Console:
Go to Google Play Console → Setup → App signing
Follow the prompts to request an upload key reset
Google typically processes this within 2–3 business days
Once the key is reset, Tapcart can submit the updated build
Google reviews and approves the update
Your Implementation Specialist will guide you through this process. If you're unsure whether an upload key reset applies to you, just ask,we handle this regularly.
What Your Customers Will Experience
Scenario | What happens |
Auto-update enabled | The app updates automatically, usually overnight on Wi-Fi. The customer opens the app and sees the new Tapcart experience. |
Auto-update disabled | The customer will see an "Update" button in the App Store or Google Play. They need to tap it manually. |
New customers | Anyone who downloads the app after the update goes live will get the Tapcart version immediately. |
What is preserved: App store listing, ratings, reviews, and download link.
What changes: The in-app experience transitions to the Tapcart platform. Push notification subscribers are retained as long as the app certificates remain the same (your IS will confirm this).
Communicating the Update
We recommend proactively informing your customers about the app update. This helps users without auto-update enabled get on the latest version quickly.
Suggested channels:
Push notification: Send a push to existing app users announcing the update
Email campaign: Include a note in your next newsletter or send a dedicated announcement
Social media: Post about the refreshed app experience
SMS: If you use SMS marketing, a quick message drives fast adoption
Sample message: "We've updated our app with a fresh new look and faster shopping experience! Open the App Store or Google Play and update to the latest version."
Migration Checklist
☐ Tapcart has Admin access to your Apple Developer account
☐ Tapcart has been invited to your Google Play Console
☐ PLA is accepted in App Store Connect
☐ Upload key reset completed (if applicable for Android)
☐ App listing assets updated (icon, screenshots, description)
☐ Test build reviewed via TestFlight (iOS) and/or internal test track (Android)
☐ Customer communication plan ready for launch day
More Questions
Have more questions? We're happy to help! Please reach out to us through LiveChat on your dashboard or email us at [email protected].