Migrating to the Latest Max SDK: Step-by-Step ChecklistMigrating to the latest Max SDK can boost ad revenue, improve stability, and unlock new features — but without a clear plan it can also introduce bugs and delays. This step-by-step checklist walks you through planning, preparation, code changes, testing, and post-release monitoring so your migration is smooth and low-risk.
Before you start: quick preparations
- Backup your project: create a branch or a full copy to revert if needed.
- Read the release notes: note breaking changes and new APIs.
- Set a migration window: pick a low-traffic release window to reduce user impact.
- Ensure team alignment: coordinate devs, QA, product, and ad ops on timeline and goals.
Step 1 — Inventory current usage
- List current Max SDK version used across platforms (iOS, Android, Unity, other engines).
- Catalog every place the SDK is referenced:
- Initialization code
- Ad formats (banner, interstitial, rewarded, native)
- Event listeners and callbacks
- Mediation waterfall or bidding adapters
- Any custom wrappers or utilities
- Note third-party adapters and network versions in use.
Checklist:
- [ ] Document current SDK versions per platform
- [ ] Inventory all ad placements and formats
- [ ] List mediation/network adapter versions
Step 2 — Review release notes & migration guide
- Identify breaking changes: removed APIs, renamed methods, behavior changes.
- Identify new recommended initialization patterns (e.g., asynchronous init, consent flows).
- Note adapter updates required for mediation partners.
Checklist:
- [ ] Highlight breaking changes that affect your codebase
- [ ] Create a mapping from old API usage to new API equivalents
- [ ] Gather updated adapter versions
Step 3 — Update build tooling & dependencies
- Update Gradle/maven configs (Android) and CocoaPods/Swift Package Manager (iOS) to reference the new SDK.
- Update Unity packages or engine plugin versions if using Unity or other engines.
- If adapters are published separately, update those dependencies too.
Example (iOS CocoaPods):
pod 'AppLovinSDK', '~> X.Y.Z' pod 'GoogleMobileAdsMediation', '~> A.B.C' # if required Checklist:
- [ ] Bump SDK dependency versions in build files
- [ ] Update mediation adapters and plugin packages
- [ ] Run a clean build to catch compile-time errors
Step 4 — Code changes & API migration
- Replace deprecated or removed calls with new APIs identified in your mapping.
- Update initialization flow; some SDKs now recommend non-blocking init and explicit consent handling.
- Update ad object creation and event registration for each ad format.
- If the SDK changes threading or callback contexts, ensure UI code runs on the main thread.
Common changes to watch for:
- Method name or parameter changes
- Different listener interfaces or event names
- New lifecycle requirements (e.g., explicit destroy calls)
- Changes in caching/preloading behavior
Checklist:
- [ ] Implement API replacements for each usage point
- [ ] Move any blocking init off the main thread if recommended
- [ ] Ensure UI updates from callbacks occur on the main thread
- [ ] Remove deprecated code paths
Step 5 — Update consent and privacy flows
- Ensure your consent collection (GDPR/CCPA) integrates with the latest SDK APIs.
- Map your stored consent state to the new SDK methods for user consent and personalization flags.
- Update any server-side signals or SDK-provided UIs for consent.
Checklist:
- [ ] Verify consent APIs and data flow align with new SDK
- [ ] Confirm non-personalized ad flags are honored
- [ ] Test consent change flows (grant/revoke)
Step 6 — Adapter and network testing
- Verify each mediation network adapter is compatible and updated.
- For bidding-enabled setups, test auction flows end-to-end.
- Confirm mediation waterfall ordering and fallback behaviors.
Checklist:
- [ ] Validate adapters are the correct versions
- [ ] Run test ads from each network where possible
- [ ] Confirm fallback behavior under network failures
Step 7 — Functional QA
- Test every ad placement on target devices and OS versions.
- Validate ad load, show, click, reward (for rewarded ads), and close behaviors.
- Check UI layout/responsiveness for banners and native ads.
- Simulate edge conditions: low connectivity, slow devices, denied consent.
Checklist:
- [ ] Run manual QA across device/OS matrix
- [ ] Confirm rewarded ads grant reward reliably
- [ ] Verify banners adapt to safe areas and orientation changes
- [ ] Ensure no crashes or memory leaks during heavy ad activity
Step 8 — Automated & integration testing
- Add smoke tests to cover SDK initialization and basic ad flows.
- If you have CI, run unit and integration tests after updating dependencies.
- Use tools like Firebase Test Lab or real device farms to run automated UI tests.
Checklist:
- [ ] Add CI smoke tests for ad initialization and load/show
- [ ] Run integration tests across key device configurations
- [ ] Monitor for flaky tests introduced by networking/ad behavior
Step 9 — Performance & stability checks
- Profile app for memory usage and CPU after integrating new SDK.
- Watch startup time impact if SDK initialization occurs at launch.
- Monitor for excessive network calls or battery impact.
Checklist:
- [ ] Measure app launch time before/after SDK update
- [ ] Profile memory allocations during heavy ad use
- [ ] Check for increased network or battery usage
Step 10 — Staged rollout
- Use phased rollout (feature flags, staged App Store / Play Store release) to limit exposure.
- Monitor crashes, ANRs, and user complaints during each stage.
- Have a rollback plan ready (revert branch or feature flag off).
Checklist:
- [ ] Release to small percentage of users first
- [ ] Monitor stability and revenue metrics closely
- [ ] Roll back if severe regressions appear
Step 11 — Post-release monitoring & optimization
- Track key KPIs: fill rate, eCPM, impressions, revenue, ad latency, crashes.
- Compare to baseline metrics and identify regressions.
- If revenue or fill drops, double-check adapter versions, bidding configs, and consent state propagation.
- Iterate on ad frequency and placement if user experience or metrics degrade.
Checklist:
- [ ] Set dashboards for ad performance & stability
- [ ] Reconcile revenue against pre-migration baseline
- [ ] Triage and fix any issues quickly
Troubleshooting common issues
- Build errors after updating: ensure all transitive dependencies and adapters are updated; clean build caches.
- Ads not showing: check initialization sequencing, adapter mismatches, or missing test IDs.
- Crashes: examine native crash logs for symbolicated stack traces tied to SDK calls.
- Lower eCPMs: verify bidding setup, adapter versions, and that consent flags aren’t forcing non-personalized ads unintentionally.
Migration checklist (compact)
- [ ] Backup project & create migration branch
- [ ] Read release notes & map breaking changes
- [ ] Update SDK & adapter dependencies
- [ ] Implement code changes & move blocking init off main thread
- [ ] Align consent flows with new SDK APIs
- [ ] Test each adapter and ad format manually
- [ ] Add CI smoke tests and run automated device tests
- [ ] Profile performance and memory usage
- [ ] Do a staged rollout and monitor KPIs
- [ ] Roll back if major regressions occur
Migrating an ad SDK is a cross-functional effort. With planning, careful testing, and staged release you can capture the benefits of the latest Max SDK while keeping user experience and revenue stable.
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