Show what changed in an app release

Once a device updates, going back to the old version is usually impractical. Record the before state on a device still running the previous release, or reuse a recording from the last release. If neither exists, use earlier screenshots and say so, rather than recreating the old interface from memory.

If anything differs other than the release, viewers may credit the update with a change it did not make, such as a list that looks shorter because the account had fewer items.

• Same device, orientation and text size.
• Same account and sample data.
• Same starting screen and the same action.
• The version number shown in each, for example from the app’s About screen.

Record the version users will actually receive. If you must record a beta or test build, label it and do not show features that might not make the release. Features behind a setting, a region or a plan should be described with that condition, so users who cannot find them do not assume the update failed.

With Reel, a small camera overlay lets you introduce each change in person; Reel records the iPhone screen and your voice in one file, and you can turn the overlay off for detailed segments.

1. On a spare iPhone still on 3.1, record the search screen finding “lemon” and the result list.
2. Update the main device to 3.2 and confirm the version on the About screen.
3. Record the same search with the same account: the new filter chips appear above the results.
4. Record the second change: the shopping list now groups items by aisle.
5. Assemble the clips with a title card for each change and the version on the opening frame.

Apple’s app preview guidance sets its own requirements: previews are up to 30 seconds, show footage captured on the device, show only the app itself, and autoplay muted, so on-screen text has to carry the message. A release demo for existing users can be longer, can use a camera overlay and narration, and can show the old version for comparison. Make the App Store preview separately and check it against Apple’s current specifications.

Watch the finished demo against the release notes. Every change in the video should appear in the notes, and every claim in the narration should match what the released build does. If a change only applies on iPad or Mac, say so on screen.