Transfer existing Android app to another developer account?

Question

I'm currently working on an application for a small company I work for. I'm happy to, and the company has agreed, that they are happy for me to host the application under my own developer account for now.

If I do this, and later on we transfer the app to the companies own dev account (which I will get setup in the future), will users still receives updates as per normal? They should not have to uninstall and reinstall the app once it's live in the new dev account correct?

Thank you!

does it properly work? and can transfer a single app to another account is it possible ? please guide — Developer, Oct 29 '18 at 06:46
Important: Do not forget that to be able to perform upgrades of transferred application you also need the original certificate that was used for signing the app! If the original developer will not give you their certificate then you can not make future upgrades and will have to start from scratch (no download count ...) — besimple, May 04 '14 at 23:35
Is this still accurate in late 2016? It seems a bit ridiculous that Google has a decently well-documented process for transferring app ownership, but doesn't appear to facilitate the transfer of developer credentials in the same way. Apple does a much, *much* better job here. — worthbak, Dec 09 '16 at 16:42

score 44 · Accepted Answer · edited Feb 02 '18 at 08:55

44

Here is new method to do this

Go to the Developer console
In the "Help & Feedback" > "Manage Your Apps" > "Transfer your application"
Follow the instructions and make sure you have the details from the suggested checklist available
Submit the form
You will receive instructions on what to do in about a day.

Once you submit the form you will see the below message:

Please note, we'll do our best to respond to your request within one business day. This depends heavily on the complexity of your app transfer request, and the completeness and accuracy of the information you've provided. We appreciate your patience while we process your request.

OLD METHOD: You can transfer you app without loosing download count or rating.

The steps to transferring your app/game:

click: Developer Home > Help > Contact Support > Developers > Publishing and Distribution Issues
Fill out the form completely and accurately
Select “Transfer Applications to Another Account” from the Issue Type drop down
Submit Form
Check your E-Mail and reply with the requested information
Forward the E-Mail to the person accepting the app/game transfer and have them reply as requested
Wait for Google to wave their magic wand

Here is the link, Hope you find it useful. http://phandroid.com/2012/06/21/getting-acquired-how-to-transfer-ownership-of-your-android-app-or-game/

edited Feb 02 '18 at 08:55

Derlin

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answered May 08 '13 at 06:44

Shakti Malik

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This answer doesn't seem to be valid anymore. – devius Dec 07 '13 at 17:04
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@Devius Could you elaborate? – theblang Dec 13 '13 at 15:33
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It's not anymore, you need to go to the dev console, in the help & feedback section go to support, next go to Manage my app and then transfer your applications – Tsunaze Jan 27 '14 at 16:29
Once you've logged into the Google Play Developer Console, where is this 'Help & Feedback' section?? – ban-geoengineering Feb 02 '15 at 15:59
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Here is link with all the details https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/checklist/3294213?hl=en – Shakti Malik Feb 03 '15 at 03:20
what if transaction id is missed – Rajesh N Oct 23 '18 at 11:04
can I update the app after submitting the transfer request / verification mode? – M. Johnson May 20 '19 at 06:56

score 4 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 28 '19 at 13:25

For 2019, follow below steps:

Open Google Support Page.
Open Transfer apps to a different developer account form
Get target account Transaction Id from the Google Payments
In Google Payments, Select Activity from the side menu which is the first option. From the Activity list choose one of the activity and you will get the Transaction details from your right side where you can scroll and check TRANSACTION ID

Fill the Transfer apps to a different developer account form and google will review and transfer the app.

Notes: Google hasn't updated the steps based on new pay.google.com page.

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 11 '15 at 04:16

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For the most recent method for transferring your app, see this official guide, which is published by Google Play, and will hopefully remain up-to-date.

answered Apr 11 '15 at 04:16

hadi

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S.D. · Answer 4 · 2014-04-22T12:40:17.450

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Update: Now you can manage Owner and User Accounts:

https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/2528691?hl=en

You can add users and grant them permissions to create/draft and publish apps.

So, Basically you ask the final owner create the publish account (as the owner). And only add you/developer (as a user) with proper permissions to upload and update app.

edited Apr 22 '14 at 12:40

answered May 08 '13 at 04:07

S.D.

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Thanks a lot for the quick response. Appreciate it. – R-Dub May 08 '13 at 04:13
Unfortunately google still only allow the original account holder to do certain tasks. I've gone along the path of creating a shared email to get around this for a company account. – Pellet Apr 03 '17 at 08:23

Transfer existing Android app to another developer account?

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