Android Basics

What Is an Android Package Name and How Do You Choose One?

Admin
Sep 05, 2026 7
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Every Android app has a unique identifier called the package name (also known as the application ID). It looks like com.yourbrand.app. Users rarely see it, but Android and Google Play rely on it for everything: installing, updating and identifying your app.

Why the package name matters

  • Uniqueness: no two apps on the same phone or on Google Play can have the same package name.
  • Updates: an update is only recognised as an update if it has the same package name (and the same signing key) as the installed app.
  • Permanence: once you publish an app on Google Play, the package name cannot be changed. Changing it creates a brand-new app with no reviews and no existing users.

The format

A package name is a series of segments separated by dots. Traditionally it starts with your reversed domain name: if your website is example.com, the package name begins with com.example. After that you add the app name, for instance com.example.shop.

The rules

  • It must have at least two segments (for example com.brand).
  • Each segment must start with a letter.
  • Only letters, numbers and underscores are allowed in each segment — no spaces, no hyphens.
  • Use lowercase letters to avoid confusion.
  • Avoid Java reserved words such as new, class or int as segments.

How to choose a good one

  1. Start from your domain. Reverse it: myshop.online becomes online.myshop, or use the common com.myshop style.
  2. Keep it short and readable. Something like com.myshop.app is easy to type and remember.
  3. Do not use someone else's brand. Never include google, facebook or another company's name; it can get your app rejected.
  4. Think long term. If you might make more apps later, use a consistent pattern, such as com.myshop.store and com.myshop.blog.
  5. Check availability. If Google Play says the name already exists, add a suffix that makes it yours.

Examples

  • Good: com.greenbakery.app, online.learnhub.student
  • Not allowed: com.green-bakery.app (hyphen), 1shop.app (segment starts with a number), myapp (only one segment)

Can I change it later?

Only if you have not published yet. For an app that is already on Google Play or installed on phones, a new package name means a new app. That is why it is worth taking a minute to choose well before you build.

Our builder suggests a package name from your app name automatically, and you can edit it before you build. Whatever you choose, write it down and keep it — it is your app's identity for its entire life.

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