Mobile app release checklist for iPhone and Android

A short checklist to run before every App Store and Google Play release, from build checks to what happens the day after.

Updated November 7, 2026

Short answer: test the new build on real devices, check the paths that make or lose money, prepare release notes and a way to hear from users, then watch the first day closely. Copy the checklist and keep it next to your release.

Template

Before you build
[ ] Version and build number bumped
[ ] Release notes written in plain words
[ ] Feature flags set for this release

On real devices
[ ] Oldest supported iOS and Android version
[ ] Smallest and largest screen
[ ] Dark mode and large text
[ ] Poor connection and offline
[ ] Sign-in, sign-up, password reset
[ ] Purchase or subscription flow
[ ] The new feature, start to finish

Before you submit
[ ] Screenshots and store text up to date
[ ] Testers on TestFlight or internal testing have tried this build
[ ] Feedback works in the build (send a test report)

Release day and after
[ ] Phased release on if possible
[ ] Watch crash reports and new reviews
[ ] Reply to reports and reviews from the first day

Why the last section matters most

Watch the first day closely for problems on devices and configurations outside your test set. People who hit them either leave a review or leave. A way to report from inside the app turns some of those into reports you can fix in the next build.