Shipping changes safely.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE EVERY RELEASE
Test the release build on physical devices Test upgrading from the currently released version Verify migrations with real data Check crash reporting works
WHY UPGRADE TESTING MATTERS MOST
Most serious release problems affect existing users, not new ones.
WHAT TO USE
A staged rollout, where the platform supports it.
WHAT TO MONITOR IMMEDIATELY AFTER RELEASE
Crash-free rate New crash types Review sentiment Key task completion
WHAT TO DO IF SOMETHING IS WRONG
Halt the rollout Disable the feature remotely, if you have flags Prepare a fix
WHY REMOTE DISABLING MATTERS
A new release takes days to reach users, and some never update.
WHAT TO WRITE IN RELEASE NOTES
What changed, in terms users understand.
WHAT NOT TO WRITE
"Bug fixes and improvements", repeatedly.
WHY
It tells users nothing and wastes the opportunity.
WHAT CADENCE TO AIM FOR
Regular, predictable releases.
WHY
Large infrequent releases carry more risk and are harder to diagnose.
