do app updates overwrite previous version

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do app updates overwrite previous version

Am I right in assuming that an update of an app when downloaded by the user will replace the previous version? So the new version must contain all the content of the old version plus any changes? I am looking at ways of ways of updating/unlocking content besides in-app purchase - is that possible?

Thanks,

Greg

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Jul 6, 2009 12:54 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 6, 2009 1:11 PM in response to gregb19

You'll get a more meaningful answer to this question if you at least state what platform it is you're talking about.

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Answer 2

sptrakesh

Level 4

1,785 points

Jul 6, 2009 1:38 PM in response to gregb19

Yes, your application contents will be replaced. If you are copying data to another directory (documents for instance) and then using the copied files then you will not need to repackage the old contents. If you decide to go that route, keep in mind that users who purchase the new version of your app (without having first purchased the previous/original version) will miss data.

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Answer 3

gregb19 Author

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Jul 6, 2009 1:52 PM in response to gregb19

Yes, sorry, I neglected to mention this is for iPhone.

Greg

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Answer 4

gregb19 Author

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Jul 6, 2009 1:57 PM in response to gregb19

And to elaborate a bit, the question relates to publishing a game which contains the full content of the game, but only parts of it are playable after the initial download. Later on an update would be released on the app store which unlocks the existing content. Since the app may have a large size, it would be ideal to have the update only function as something that unlocks the existing content already in the app.

I do realize that this is what in-app purchasing is intended to do, but the question came to me from the game's producers and so I just want to make sure I'm not missing some possible updating technique.

Thanks again.

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Answer 5

sptrakesh

Level 4

1,785 points

Jul 6, 2009 2:21 PM in response to gregb19

Why not just have the app download additional data once when you have the updated features ready? Downloading data is going to take the same amount of time whether it is coming from your server or the app store. The benefit of the app store is that you do not need to worry about scalability of your server.

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