Solving the Mystery: Why All Your iOS Conversions (Firebase) Use the Wrong Version of Your Application on Google Ads

Are you tired of scratching your head, wondering why your iOS conversions on Firebase are pointing to the wrong version of your application on Google Ads? You’re not alone! This frustrating issue has puzzled many developers and marketers, but fear not, dear reader, for we’re about to uncover the solution.

Understanding the Problem

Before we dive into the fix, let’s first understand what’s happening. When a user installs your iOS app from a Google Ads campaign, Firebase tracks the conversion and attributes it to the correct campaign. However, if the user has an outdated version of your app, Firebase will still track the conversion, but it will be attributed to the wrong version of your app.

This can lead to inaccurate attribution, misguided optimization, and a general sense of confusion. But don’t worry, we’re about to shine some light on the dark corners of this issue.

The Root Cause: iOS Version Proliferation

The primary reason for this issue is the proliferation of iOS versions. With each new iOS release, users may not immediately update to the latest version. This means that your app can be installed on different iOS versions, leading to discrepancies in tracking and attribution.

Firebase uses the iOS version to determine which app version to attribute the conversion to. If the iOS version doesn’t match the app version, Firebase will default to the most recent app version it knows about, which might not be the correct one.

Solution 1: Update Your Firebase SDK

The first step in resolving this issue is to update your Firebase SDK to the latest version. This will ensure that you’re taking advantage of the latest features and improvements, including better iOS version handling.

pod 'Firebase/Core', '~> 8.12.0'
pod 'Firebase/Analytics', '~> 8.12.0'
pod 'Firebase/Crashlytics', '~> 8.12.0'

Make sure to update your Podfile with the latest SDK versions and run `pod install` to install the updates.

Solution 2: Implement iOS Version Tracking

To accurately track iOS versions, you need to implement iOS version tracking in your Firebase setup. This involves sending the iOS version as a parameter with your conversion events.

import Firebase

// Get the iOS version
let iOSVersion = UIDevice.current.systemVersion

// Set up the conversion event
let event = ["conversion": ["ios_version": iOSVersion]]

// Log the conversion event
Analytics.logEvent("conversion", parameters: event)

This code snippet demonstrates how to send the iOS version as a parameter with your conversion event. Make sure to adapt this code to your specific use case.

Solution 3: Use Firebase’s Default iOS Version Handling

Firebase provides a default iOS version handling mechanism that can help alleviate this issue. By setting the `ios_version` parameter in your Firebase configuration, Firebase will use the specified iOS version for attribution.

import Firebase

// Set the default iOS version
FirebaseConfiguration.shared.set iOSVersion = "14.2"

This code sets the default iOS version to 14.2. You can adjust this value to match the iOS version you want Firebase to use for attribution.

Additional Tips and Best Practices

To ensure accurate tracking and attribution, follow these additional tips and best practices:

• Keep your Firebase SDK up to date: Regularly update your Firebase SDK to ensure you’re taking advantage of the latest features and improvements.
• Use a single Firebase project for all iOS versions: Using a single Firebase project for all iOS versions helps ensure that Firebase can accurately track and attribute conversions.
• Test thoroughly: Thoroughly test your Firebase setup and tracking implementation to ensure that it’s working correctly.
• Monitor your Firebase dashboard: Regularly monitor your Firebase dashboard to catch any discrepancies or issues with tracking and attribution.

Conclusion

The mystery of why all your iOS conversions (Firebase) use the wrong version of your application on Google Ads is finally solved! By implementing the solutions outlined in this article, you’ll be able to accurately track and attribute conversions to the correct iOS version.

Remember to keep your Firebase SDK up to date, implement iOS version tracking, and take advantage of Firebase’s default iOS version handling. With these tips and best practices in place, you’ll be well on your way to optimizing your Google Ads campaigns and driving more conversions.

Solution	Description
Update Firebase SDK	Update your Firebase SDK to the latest version to ensure accurate tracking and attribution.
Implement iOS Version Tracking	Send the iOS version as a parameter with your conversion events to accurately track iOS versions.
Set the default iOS version in your Firebase configuration to ensure accurate attribution.

By following the solutions and tips outlined in this article, you’ll be able to overcome the frustrating issue of wrong app version attribution and unlock the full potential of your Google Ads campaigns.

Now, go forth and conquer the world of iOS conversions!

Frequently Asked Question

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