Hi Median Team,

We’re currently blocked from releasing our latest Android update in Google Play, and after extensive review this is not something we can resolve from the Play Console side.

Google Play is enforcing their “existing users must have an upgrade path” rule. Even though only one inactive user is on an older Android version, Play will not allow us to roll out the new build unless every existing install can upgrade to some APK in the release.

Current situation (see attached screenshot):

• Current production APK: 1019 (min SDK 21+)
• New build from Median: 168 / 1.0.29 (min SDK 23+)
• Result: Google Play blocks the rollout with
  “You can’t rollout this release because it doesn’t allow any existing users to upgrade to the newly added app bundles.”

We cannot:

• Change the min SDK on the new build
• Modify or re-sign the existing APK
• Adjust version codes
• Create ABI or device-targeted splits

Because of this, Google Play requires one additional build from Median to unblock us.

What we need from Median (either option works)

Option A (preferred):

• A legacy-compatible APK
• Same package name
• min SDK 21
• Version code higher than 1019
• Functionality can be identical to the existing legacy build

Option B (also acceptable):

• A rebuild of the existing legacy APK (same codebase)
• Same min SDK (21)
• New higher version code
• No new features required

This build would exist solely to provide Google Play with a valid upgrade path for the remaining legacy user and allow us to publish the new APK for modern devices.

Why this is required

This is standard Google Play behavior and there is no override in Play Console. Without one of the above, Google Play will permanently block all future updates on this app package, even though the vast majority of users are on modern Android versions.

We need to move forward with this release urgently, as some users on newer phones are currently unable to access the app.

Please let us know which option you can support, or if you need any additional information from us to proceed.

Appreciate your help,
Bill