已上架Google Play的Android应用能否修改ApplicationId？如何操作？

Great question—let’s break this down clearly, since the old Eclipse-focused guide you found doesn’t cover the critical Google Play-specific rules here.

First, the hard truth: You cannot modify the ApplicationId of your existing live app on Google Play and submit it as an update. Google Play uses the ApplicationId as the unique identifier for your app—any APK with a different ApplicationId will be treated as an entirely new app, not an update to your existing one.

That said, if you’re set on switching to a new ApplicationId, here’s what you need to do:

Option 1: Publish a Brand New App with the New ApplicationId #

This is the only way to use your desired new ID, but note that your existing users won’t get an automatic update—they’ll have to download the new app separately.

• Update the ApplicationId in Android Studio: Open your module-level build.gradle file, find the defaultConfig block, and edit the applicationId value to your new ID (e.g., change com.yourold.appid to com.yournew.appid).
• Sign with the correct key: Make sure you sign the new APK/AAB with the same app signing key (or upload key, if you use Google Play App Signing) as your original app. This ensures the new app is linked to your developer account.
• Create a new app entry in Google Play Console: Head to the Console, click "Create app", and go through the setup process to publish your modified app as a new listing.
• Notify your users: Since the new app is separate, existing users won’t see it in their update feeds. You should push an update to your original app that prompts users to migrate to the new version, or announce the switch via your website/social channels.

Option 2: Keep the Original ApplicationId (But Adjust Code Package Names) #

If you just want to clean up your code’s package structure but don’t want to abandon your existing app listing, you can separate your code’s package name from the ApplicationId:

• In Android Studio, you can refactor your code’s package name (right-click the package in Project view > Refactor > Rename) without changing the applicationId in build.gradle.
• As long as the applicationId matches the one on Google Play, you can still submit updates normally. This lets you tidy up your code while keeping your existing app’s identity intact.

Critical Notes to Remember #

• Never submit an APK with a changed ApplicationId as an update to your existing app: Google Play will reject it immediately.
• Third-party services need reconfiguration: If you use Firebase, Google Maps, or other services tied to your ApplicationId, you’ll need to create new configurations for your new ID in those platforms.
• Original app status: You can choose to keep your original app live (for users who don’t migrate) or unpublish it. Unpublishing won’t remove it from users who already downloaded it—they’ll just stop getting updates.

内容的提问来源于stack exchange，提问作者Christian