Is it possible to download an old APK for my app from Google Play?

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Over the last few months, I've published several revisions to my app. Unfortunately, I didn't keep copies of all the old APKs, and now I'd like to test upgrade from the old versions to my new version. Is there any way to download Google's copy of my old versions? The Google Play developer console shows my old APKs, but without a download link. I tried "Real APK Leecher", but that doesn't let you choose the APK version you want to download. And I'm not able to even temporarily reactivate the old version in the Developer Console since it complains that it's of an earlier version.

Delafuente answered 30/6, 2012 at 23:17 Comment(1)

Yeah, I don't understand that reactivate link, it never works. – Thenar 30/6, 2012 at 23:28

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THE ANSWER IS OUTDATED. NOW THIS IS POSSIBLE, CHECK @tesla's AND @olleh's ANSWERS.

FOR THE NEW 2020 GOOGLE PLAY CONSOLE, SEE ANSWER FROM @IonicBurger

No, unfortunately.

The Android Developer Console is a real disaster, everywhere you look there is something that needs to be fixed or improved, being this issue you mention one of them. Unfortunately for the time being you're out of luck. Unless Google enables this, you cannot download old APKS's. I suppose you could recompile the old code, but I guess you don't have that either and that's why you are here :-)

Sita answered 30/6, 2012 at 23:35 Comment(14)

I have it in source control, I was just trying to avoid getting Eclipse set up to rebuild those old versions. – Delafuente 30/6, 2012 at 23:37

Setup a jenkins server that will continuously build the apk for you for every check in. You can always retrieve previously built APK and do a quick test first, before wasting time setting up Eclipse to build a specific revision. – Monochloride 30/6, 2012 at 23:48

I have a similar issue, but in my case with one of my early apps I somehow lost the release APK's prior to v1.0.2 and didn't start using version control until v1.0.6. I don't need the APK's for compatibility testing or other development purposes, I want them more for historical purposes. I'm hopeful v2 of the Developer Console will allow downloading old APK's. – Armored 7/8, 2012 at 19:23

When is V2 of the developer console out? – Brigitte 8/8, 2012 at 10:2

@azgolfer: I am all for continuous integration, though a) in this case you need manual release build more than continuous integration and b) the normal Eclipse build can't be readily automated, so you need the alternate ant-based build (too). – Aardvark 15/11, 2012 at 13:36

It's pretty idiotic that Play store can't allow me to download a previous version of my own app. – Chinkapin 24/11, 2014 at 19:54

If you want to pull only the latest you can download any apk extractor/downloader/share app from google play and use it to extract the apk file after installing our app to a device. – Minos 14/1, 2015 at 1:20

Recompiling is not an option, Different build tools produce different results. That why it is essential to get the old APK. This is really something in need of fixing, But google can be really stupid where it matters. – Singleminded 30/10, 2015 at 14:50

It is now possible in "Manage Releases" – Haag 15/10, 2016 at 7:7

please remove this answer as it is now obsolete – Ostler 10/11, 2016 at 14:46

"everywhere you look there is something that needs to be fixed or improved". You can say that again! I've answered inumerous polls from Google about the Developer Console, giving the same suggestions over and over, and it feels like talking to a rock. One thing I've always ask Google is for a way to have a review mechanism for user reviews. – Gummosis 17/1, 2017 at 19:13

I added big bad comment in the answer, just to be sure no one will skip the other answers (like I almost did) – Hardaway 6/2, 2017 at 10:19

For people who are following this answer with the latest update: if you have multiple users signed into your Chrome, try opening up an incognito window and going to the developer console that way (after signing in with the master account). I was signed in with an account that apparently didn't have full access, so the download button wasn't available. – Matthei 13/12, 2017 at 21:47

upvoted your answer as well for pointing towards other correct answers. – Maghutte 2/12, 2020 at 11:24

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Now it is possible. They added "Manage Releases" tab to Google Play Developer Console. From Artifact Library under the Release Management tab, you can download your app's APK.

You need to have the necessary permissions to see the download button next to your artifacts. If in doubt, try the root account.

Margaretamargarete answered 14/10, 2016 at 7:55 Comment(5)

I don't see an ability from the Manage Releases tab to change prod code to and older version. I see older versions in the Atifact Library but I there are no actions available other than "download". Still, you can download the old APK then i guess re-upload it to production??? lol – Predella 18/10, 2016 at 14:49

I have managed to download the APK, but not the corresponding .obb file – Mudskipper 3/8, 2017 at 11:42

For people who are following this answer: if you have multiple users signed into your Chrome, try opening up an incognito window and going to the developer console that way (after signing in with the master account). I was signed in with an account that apparently didn't have full access, so the download button wasn't available. – Matthei 13/12, 2017 at 21:47

Funny it only works from Chrome ;) on Firefox the download button wasn't available. – Preoccupancy 16/1, 2018 at 9:59

Go down to the entry by @kks21199 -- In April 2021 that is the right answer...you can skip the others. – Strumpet 15/4, 2021 at 2:38