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Using the Google Play Staged Rollout options, I can release a new version of my Android app to a small percentage of users. Depending on how successful it is, I would increase the percentage over a given period. I assume (because I can't find it documented) that if I roll the app out to 10%, then there is a spread of that percentage to both new and existing users of the app. (edit, see comment below)
If this is true, then people visiting the Google Play store would see the apps' screenshots and possibly use those visual images to decide on whether or not to install the app. If my new version has significantly different look, then the new users would not be seeing a true representation of the new app before choosing to download.
I suspect I already know the answer is no, but does anyone know for sure if new screenshots could be uploaded that will just appear to those who will receive the new version? I guess it really depends on how the staged rollout code/logic works, whether it is dependent on the Google Play app on the device, or not until the user actually clicks Download. Anyone have any experience they can share?
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You can release an app update to production and test tracks using a staged rollout. With a staged rollout, your update reaches only a percentage of your users, which you can increase over time. Staged rollouts can only be used for app updates, not when publishing an app for the first time.
A Staged Rollout gives you time to analyze your product stability and its performance against business goals. You can then decide if you want to roll out the update to more users, wait for more data, or stop the Rollout. You can test if your update is going to be a success and you can also reveal major errors.
If you're rolling out your app's first release on production, clicking Start rollout to production will also publish your app to all Google Play users in the countries you selected.
So it seems from experimentation, that at this point, the Developers Console does not have a way to allow you to give updated screenshots (or promo text) to only those on a Staged Release. I posted a query to Google, which may or may not be answered, asking when such a feature of the Console could be made available. I'll post an answer if I get one.
EDIT
topspeed's comment below includes an official answer from Google
Tips for live staged rollouts
If your app update requires changes to the store listing, we recommend updating your store listing after your release rolls outs to 100% of users.
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