How to change Publisher Name for a Sideloaded UWP app?

Question

Here is my scenario. A company named as "ABC Corporation" released a UWP app an year back via sideload distribution with the below code in Package.appxmanifest file

<Identity Name="HGApp" Publisher="CN=ABCCorp" Version="1.0.0.0" />

After an year the company name is changed as "ABCD Corporation Private Limited". Since the company name is changed, the publisher name of the company's app also must be changed as below

<Identity Name="HGApp" Publisher="CN=ABCDCorpPvtLtd" Version="1.0.8.0" />

But if this change is made, the Publisher ID and FamilyName of the package will also change. While packaging and installing, the app will be installed as a new app leaving behind the existing app idle.

For an app which is already in market and used by many users, asking them to migrate to a new app since the company name has changed will not be user friendly. There can also be scenarios like the company being acquired by another company. In this case also the existing users of the app shouldn't get affected by the acquisition.

So the question here is, how do we change the publisher of an existing sideloaded UWP app without affecting the existing users of the app?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!

how do we change the publisher of an existing sideloaded UWP app without affecting the existing users of the app?

Once you've changed the publisher, the PFN of the app is bound to change. This will make the system treat your app as a new app. This is by design. I have to say that there is no way to bypass this limitation.

Thank you.

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