title: Can I change Android signing certificate Subject while keeping the private key
body: <p>I have developed an Android app that I am transferring to another person to further development. I have understood that if the new developer uses the same keystore, the seamless upgrade process continues.</p>
  
  <p>How does Android validate the certificate when it is updating apps? Does it just <strong>validate only signature</strong> or does it <strong>compare whole certificates</strong> along with the Subject name?</p>
  
  <p>My problem is that the new developer would like to market the app under their company name, not mine, hence the Google account change. But the certificate also contains my name and I would like to generate new certificate with <strong>the same private key</strong>, which should produce identical signature, but with different Subject in the Cert.</p>
  
  <p>I have not used the certificate for any other apps, so I have no problem giving it away.</p>
  
  <p>PS. Is it at all possible to upload the same application from another Google Account using the same keystore and package name so that seamless upgrade continues?</p>