How to Update an Existing Windows Phone 8 App to Windows Phone Store 8.1

How to upload to store version for Windows Phone 8.0 with existing version for Windows Phone 8.1?

I have an app that has different versions for Windows Phone 7 and Windows Phone 8 but is visible as one in Store. I hope it works for Windows Phone 8.1 as well.

Log in to your Dev Center account and open your app details page. Click Update app, then go to Upload and describe your package(s) section. And here's the point. Instead of replacing the existing package, just click Add new. You'll have two packages, but it will be one app in Store. Windows Phone 8 users should see the new version you want to upload and Windows Phone 8.1 users will have the old one without changes. None of them would see both version.

How to Migrate a windows phone app(8.1 XAML) which is live in windows store to 8.1 Silverlight?

This is a documented limitation. You can't go backwards from an Appx to a Xap. See Guidance for app package management

When an app has a published Windows Phone 8.1 .appx, subsequent
updates must either have a Windows Phone 8.1 .appx or Windows Phone
8.1 .appxbundle. In other words, a Windows Phone 8.1 XAP is not allowed. This applies to an .appxupload that contains a Windows Phone
8.1 .appx as well.

Need to convert my Windows Phone 8.1 app code to Windows phone 8

No you can't downgrade any app after you've started developing. IF you wanted to develop a WP8 as you said have to start it from the scratch. But still you can upgrade a WP8 app to WP 8.1 (For Silverlight Apps). If it's normal WinRT app you can only develop targeting 8.1 only.

For more have a look here

Hope it helps!

Store update of 8.1 app to uwp app

TL;DR; - It preserves data in LocalFolder and LocalSettings when updating from WP8.1 Runtime to UWP (tested with mobile on device with Insider preview - Fast ring).

I've run similar test, like the last time:

1. I've published a Beta version of the App - WP8.1 Runtime.
2. After successful installation on the Phone, I've created a file in LocalFolder and set value in LocalSettings (see code below),
3. I've submitted an update - went to Store, selected the App, clicked Update then Packages, after a while, browse your files and chosen the new generated appxbundle (I have not deleted the old WP8.1 package), save and submit.
4. After some time my Phone is notified that there is an update for the App - I click update
5. After successful installation, I see that it's a new App, I click my special button to check LocalFolder and value in LocalSettings - I see that there are old values from WP8.1 version.

Code for buttons used to test:

private async void Generate_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
{
    StorageFile file = await ApplicationData.Current.LocalFolder.CreateFileAsync("test.txt");
    await FileIO.WriteTextAsync(file, "Something inside");
}

private async void CheckFile_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
{
    try
    {
        StorageFile file = await ApplicationData.Current.LocalFolder.GetFileAsync("test.txt");
        string text = await FileIO.ReadTextAsync(file);
        await new MessageDialog($"File exists = {text}").ShowAsync();
    }
    catch (Exception) { await new MessageDialog("File desnt exists").ShowAsync(); }
}

private void GenerateSetting_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e) => ApplicationData.Current.LocalSettings.Values["CHECK"] = "Test value";

private async void CheckSetting_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
{
    if (ApplicationData.Current.LocalSettings.Values.ContainsKey("CHECK"))
        await new MessageDialog($"Setting exists = {ApplicationData.Current.LocalSettings.Values["CHECK"]}").ShowAsync();
    else await new MessageDialog("Setting doesn't exist").ShowAsync();
}

Can Windows Phone 8.1 application work in Phone 8.0?

As far as I know you can't. You could only deploy 8.1 apps on a device which is updated to 8.1. It's just a matter of updating the 8 OS. But after the 8.1 update you could still deploy WP8 apps too.

For more:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn642082(v=vs.105).aspx

Universal App with Windows Phone 8.0 (Silverlight) and Windows 8.1 Store App (PC/Tablet/RT)

This works the same for Silverlight as it does for Windows Phone Runtime apps. You don't need to change the app itself. You can update this fully on the dashboard:

Log in and select your existing app.
In the LifeCycle pane create a new submission or edit your existing one
Edit the App Info to set a name which matches the associated Windows Store app.

See How to associate an existing Windows Phone app to an existing Windows Store app

If you're just adding the new Windows Phone app you can do essentially the same on the Windows Store dashboard. When you upload your Windows Store app and reserve its name you can select one which matches your existing Windows Phone app.

See Sharing your app’s identity in the Windows Store and Windows Phone Store

Develop Windows Phone 8.1 apps on Windows 8

Windows phone 8.1 apps are two types - Silverlight and Windows runtime.

If you are building a Silverlight app, you can target your app to Windows Phone 8 and work on it.

However, only when you want to develop a Universal App, you need Windows 8.1 since Windows Store apps, whether they run on phone / desktop have common runtime dependancies.

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