How to change App ID/Package Name for Android app built with React Native

When uploading a bundled version of your Android app to Google Play Console, you might need to change your Package Name / Application ID to satisfy Google Play Console rules.

If you are getting an error like the following (or something similar)

You need to use a different package name because "com.***.***.***" already exists in Google Play

Then try out the following steps.

Change Package Name / Application ID in Android app built with React Native.

• In VSCode go to the Search

• Enter your current Package Name / Application ID in the search text input.

NOTE: If you don't know what's your current Package Name / Application ID, you can find it within the android/app/build.gradle file, in the applicationId field. In my case, the current Package Name / Application ID is com.papitas.

• Enter the path to your android directory in the files to include text input.

In my case my android directory lives under projectrootdir/apps/mobile/android yours could be different,

This will display all the instances of the string com.papitas.

• Use the "Replace" text input to replace your current Package Name / Application ID for the new one.

That's it!