Maximum Length of Android versionName / versionCode (Manifest)

Question

I am trying to find out the maximum length of both the android:versionName and android:versionCode attributes of the android manifest file?

Answer 1

I have an app which version string and code is formatted as yy.mmmm.hhnn, so, now, Jun 28, 19:50 generates the version 20.0728.1950. I never had any problem with this versioning system in both Android and iOS, so versions until 20.9999.9999 are OK.

For Android, the documentation clearly states that the max version code is 2100000000 (21.0000.0000), so PANIK! =)

For my new versions, I'm considering in using this version system: yy.1ffffd.hhnn, where ffffd is the day of the year (from 1 to 366). Since I cannot use any major version other then 20, my version will be the 1 before the day of year (and I'll be able only to update the app for more 9 years).

So, be careful in your version choosing, otherwise, you won't be able to update the app anymore (at least without changing the app id, but that would be a completely new app and you'll lose everything (reviews, etc.))