Staged rollout

Set rollout to the percentage of installs that should see the recommendation:

{
  "schemaVersion": 1,
  "android": {
    "latest": { "version": "3.5.0", "build": 350, "releasedAt": "2026-10-21" },
    "rollout": 10
  }
}

Raise the number to widen the rollout: 10 → 50 → 100. Users who were already in keep seeing the prompt (subject to snoozes and caps), and new users join.

How buckets workCopy Anchor Link

Each install gets a stable bucket from 0 to 99:

bucket = fnv1a(installationId + ":" + targetBuild) % 100
in rollout = bucket < rollout

• installationId is a random id created on first launch and stored on the device. It never leaves the device.
• The target build is part of the hash, so each release reaches a different 10%. The same early users aren't always your guinea pigs.
• The hash is deterministic on every JavaScript engine, so the result never flips between launches.

The trace shows the bucket:

rollout: bucket 73 is outside 10%

What rollout doesn't limitCopy Anchor Link

• Required updates (minimum, requireAfterDays, stranded escalation) reach everyone.
• Stranded installs are recommended regardless of rollout, because they're missing OTA updates.
• OTA updates aren't affected. Stage those with your OTA tool (e.g. EAS Update rollouts).

Combine it with Play's staged rolloutCopy Anchor Link

Upwell's rollout controls who's prompted. Play's staged rollout controls who can install the build. On Android, also stage the release in Play Console: when Play hasn't rolled the build out to a device, Upwell doesn't prompt it, because the store page would show "Open" instead of "Update".

On iOS, App Store Connect's phased release only affects automatic updates. Users can still update manually, so Upwell's rollout is how you limit prompts there.

Halting a rolloutCopy Anchor Link

Something's wrong with 3.5.0? Set rollout to 0. Prompts stop on the next check, with no release needed. On Android, also halt the rollout in Play Console: Upwell learns about newer builds from Play too, so a build Play still offers can come back as a recommendation once rollout is raised again.