Android: Ad-Free and Ad version control. Go to the in-app purchase?

Question

I currently have an Android app that is distributed as two apps supported by the Ad version and the free version. In the ad-supported version, more than 10,000 users, and in the Ad-Free version, several hundred. Both projects are currently completely independent, making updates a rather tedious task. Ideally, I would just like to update one project and build in order to be able to create both versions. After browsing the internet, it seems I have two options:

• Create a library containing most of the class files, and simply add it for the two versions (changing only those files that are different). Since the project is quite large, this can be a big task and can cause serious headaches.

• Just uncheck one version and use in-app purchases to remove ads. This is the easiest way, but how can I allow my existing users to remove ads without ads using in-app purchases without payment?

Hopefully someone used to be in a similar predicament and can point me in the right direction.

Answer 1

Where I worked, we had the second option. This helped us a lot since you just need to support 1 code / application / apk. In your case, I suggest you do the same.

To transfer all your users to one application, you can specify a random code (generated by the email that they use and the algorithm for creating it) through the "Ad-Free version" application. Then, in the All-in-One application, you can request this code or activate the In-App-workflow to delete all ads.

Edit:

Check out this link: How to get the primary email address of an Android device

Answer 2

I always recommend SO user to use android inapp purchase .

Benefits:

 1) Easily track manage your playstore user. 2) If updation require then update code on one place. 3) Secure payment with google policy. 4) many more feature. 

@bencallis according to your question, I recommend you option 2 better.

if you need inapp information then put comment .

Answer 3

You are in a similar boat with me, although I have already taken one step.

I made an application for a small group of people who were near me, for free and without ads, and released it. Then I created another application for a wider group of people, for free, but with ads. The two applications were almost the same, except for a few things that were supposed to be application specific (e.g. strings, resources, and several variables). After being disappointed in updating both of them, I decided to go with a library approach. This may give you headaches in the beginning, but it will really reduce your renewal. You will only need to update the library file, and then just compile and verify the actual application.

Because of how you describe your situation, I think it will be easier for you than for me. Include one of your applications (possibly a free ad) in the library, and then in supported ads just overwrite the layouts that show ads.

I cannot offer your second option, just because, as far as I know, there is no way to do what you want.