How to Write Release Notes That Actually Get People to Update (With Real Examples)

The Release Note That Changed Everything

Version 1.3.2 of my productivity app was ready. Fixed six bugs, improved performance, updated some libraries. Standard maintenance update.

I wrote this in the release notes:

Update rate? 23% after two weeks. Most users just ignored it.

For version 1.3.3, I tried something different. Same type of update—minor fixes, nothing groundbreaking. But I rewrote the release notes:

Update rate? 58% after two weeks. More than double.

Same app. Same fixes. Completely different results. All because I stopped treating release notes like a chore and started using them to communicate with users.

Why Nobody Updates Your App

Most users see "update available" and think: "Is this worth the data and time?"

If your release notes say "bug fixes and performance improvements," the answer is "probably not."

Users need a reason to care. They need to know:

• What's better now? Not what you fixed, but what they'll experience
• Why should they update? What's in it for them personally
• How long will it take? Nobody wants to update if they think it'll break things

Generic release notes answer none of these questions. Specific, benefit-focused notes do.

The Formula For Release Notes That Actually Work

After testing dozens of variations, here's the formula that consistently gets 50%+ update rates:

Part 1: The Hook

This is the first line. It appears in the update notification. Make it count.

Bad hooks:

• "New version available"
• "Bug fixes"
• "Update 2.1.0"

Good hooks:

• "Your most-requested feature is here!"
• "We fixed the thing you kept emailing us about"
• "App just got 2x faster"
• "Say hello to dark mode"

The hook should make users curious or excited, not indifferent.

Part 2: Key Changes (Benefit-Focused Bullets)

List 3-5 changes. Focus on what users experience, not what you coded.

Bad (Technical)	Good (Benefit-Focused)
"Refactored database queries"	"App loads 3x faster"
"Fixed null pointer exception in image loader"	"Photos no longer cause crashes"
"Implemented dark theme across all views"	"Dark mode: easier on your eyes at night"
"Updated notification service"	"Reminders actually work now (sorry!)"
"Migrated to new API endpoints"	"Sync is now instant"

Users don't care about your code. They care about their experience.

Part 3: Social Proof or Gratitude

End with something human. Options:

• Thank users: "Thanks for your feedback—it makes the app better!"
• Acknowledge requests: "You asked, we delivered."
• Show stats: "Join 50,000 users already enjoying the new update."
• Tease what's next: "More exciting features coming next month!"

This makes your app feel alive and actively developed, not abandoned.

Real Examples: Good vs Bad Release Notes

Let me show you actual examples from apps I've launched or consulted on:

Example 1: Fitness App Major Update

❌ Bad Version:

✅ Good Version:

Why the good version works: Starts with excitement, explains benefits clearly, uses emojis to add personality, acknowledges user feedback.

Example 2: Bug Fix Update

❌ Bad Version:

✅ Good Version:

Why the good version works: Acknowledges specific issues users complained about, shows empathy, humanizes the development team.

Example 3: Minor Performance Update

❌ Bad Version:

✅ Good Version:

Why the good version works: Quantifies improvements, focuses on experience not technical details, brief but compelling.

Tone & Voice: How To Sound Human

Release notes don't have to be corporate and boring. Personality sells.

Do's:

• Use emojis sparingly: One or two adds personality. Ten makes you look unprofessional
• Be conversational: Write like you're texting a friend, not filing a report
• Show personality: Humor works if it fits your brand. Don't force it
• Admit mistakes: "We messed up the notification timing. It's fixed now." Users respect honesty
• Thank users: Gratitude never hurts and builds loyalty

Don'ts:

• Don't use jargon: "Refactored codebase" means nothing to 99% of users
• Don't be vague: "Various improvements" tells users nothing
• Don't oversell: "Revolutionary update" for a minor bug fix hurts credibility
• Don't blame users: "Fixed crash caused by user error" is terrible. Just say "Fixed crash"
• Don't write novels: Over 500 characters and you've lost them

Finding Your App's Voice

Your release note tone should match your app's personality:

App Type	Tone	Example
Productivity	Professional but friendly	"We made your workflow even smoother"
Gaming	Playful and energetic	"Level up with these epic new features!"
Health/Fitness	Motivational and supportive	"Keep crushing your goals—we've got your back"
Finance	Trustworthy and clear	"Enhanced security and faster transactions"
Social	Casual and relatable	"Your friends are gonna love this update"

How Often Should You Update?

There's a balance between staying fresh and annoying users with constant updates.

The Sweet Spot: Every 2-4 Weeks

This shows you're actively developing without overwhelming users. Here's a realistic schedule:

• Week 1-2: Monitor crash reports, user feedback, analytics
• Week 2-3: Fix critical bugs, add small improvements
• Week 3-4: Test thoroughly, prepare release notes
• Week 4: Push update, repeat cycle

Exceptions:

• Critical bug? Update immediately
• Major feature? Worth updating sooner
• Nothing important? Wait until next cycle

Writing Different Notes For Different Update Types

Not all updates are equal. Tailor your approach:

Major Updates (New Features)

These deserve excitement and detail:

Use more bullets, add enthusiasm, highlight the biggest features first.

Bug Fix Updates

Be specific about what you fixed:

Acknowledge specific issues users reported. Shows you're listening.

Performance Updates

Quantify improvements when possible:

Numbers make vague "improvements" concrete and compelling.

Security/Privacy Updates

Be clear but don't scare users:

Mention security but avoid alarming language. Don't say "critical vulnerability fixed"—just "security improvements."

Advanced: Using Release Notes For User Communication

Release notes are more than change logs. They're a direct line to every user.

Addressing Negative Feedback

If you're getting complaints about something, fix it and call it out:

This turns negative reviews into positive PR. Users see you're responsive.

Building Excitement For Upcoming Features

Tease what's next to keep users engaged:

Creates anticipation. Users are more likely to stick around if they know something good is coming.

Asking For Reviews (Subtly)

After a strong update, you can gently encourage reviews:

Don't do this every update. Once per month max. And only after delivering something users will love.

The Release Notes Checklist

Before publishing any update, run through this:

Check	Yes/No
Does the first sentence make users want to update?	☐
Are benefits stated in user terms, not technical terms?	☐
Is it under 500 characters?	☐
Did I acknowledge user feedback or requests?	☐
Does it sound human and match my app's voice?	☐
Did I avoid jargon and technical terms?	☐
Are the most important changes listed first?	☐
Does it give users a reason to update now vs later?	☐

If you answered "No" to any of these, revise before publishing.

Measuring Release Note Effectiveness

How do you know if your release notes are working?

Metrics To Track:

• Update adoption rate: Percentage of users who update within 2 weeks
• Time to 50% adoption: How long it takes half your users to update
• Rating after update: Did your rating improve, stay flat, or drop?
• Reviews mentioning the update: Are users excited about changes?

Good benchmarks:

• 50%+ update rate within 2 weeks = excellent
• 30-50% update rate = good
• Below 30% = your release notes need work

Track this in Play Console under Statistics > Installs, comparing version numbers.

A/B Testing Release Notes

Try different approaches and see what works:

• Update 1: Write enthusiastic notes with emojis
• Update 2: Write brief, professional notes
• Update 3: Focus on specific user benefits
• Update 4: Try humor or personality

Compare update adoption rates. Double down on what works for your audience.

Real Example: Release Note Evolution

Here's how I evolved release notes for my habit tracking app over six months:

Version 1.0:

Update rate: N/A (first version)

Version 1.1:

Update rate: 28% after 2 weeks

Version 1.2:

Update rate: 52% after 2 weeks

Version 1.3:

Update rate: 61% after 2 weeks

Notice the evolution: Generic → Specific benefits → Excited + social proof.

Each iteration improved update rates and built more excitement around new versions.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

I've reviewed hundreds of release notes. Here are the mistakes I see repeatedly:

1. Copy-Pasting The Same Notes Every Time

"Bug fixes and performance improvements" gets ignored after the second use. Be specific every time.

2. Writing For Developers, Not Users

Users don't care about your migration to Kotlin or new architecture patterns. They care about what's better for them.

3. Being Apologetic For Updates

"Sorry for another update" makes users think updating is a burden. Instead: "We're always improving the app you love."

4. Listing Technical Details

"Updated SDK to API 34, migrated to AndroidX, refactored networking layer"—this means nothing to 99% of users.

5. Writing A Novel

Keep it under 500 characters. Anything longer gets truncated or ignored.

Final Thoughts

I used to spend 10 seconds writing release notes. "Bug fixes" was my default. And I wondered why users weren't updating.

Now I spend 10 minutes crafting them. I think about what users will care about. I write like I'm talking to a friend. I make updates sound exciting, even when they're small.

The result? Update adoption doubled. Users leave reviews saying "Love the updates!" Ratings improved because fewer people use buggy old versions.

Release notes seem minor. But they're one of the highest-ROI things you can improve. Five extra minutes of writing can boost your update rate by 20-30%.

That's a lot of users seeing your improvements instead of complaining about bugs you fixed weeks ago.

Take release notes seriously. Your users—and your ratings—will thank you.