I have honestly forgotten how many updates it's been doing this, but I can definitely believe 5 lol.

I mean... you can't technically complete an incomplete game lol. So you would still need to update even if you did have to restart. That's where the skip function comes in handy.

It is honestly really weird that it doesn't just directly update anymore though. And restarting multiple times becomes tedious af.

That's not exactly how this works... but I'm not about to argue about it. It really is an APK side, not a device side, thing that prompts the APK to update instead of fresh install. As for backing up the save, it was never deleted. The fact that the APK prompts the creation of all new folders and files is where the disconnect is. Literally your game used to properly update until some time last year I wanna say, when you started adding in new features and overhauls. It's why I made this post (again) bringing it up and asking if anyone else has found a fix because I'm tired of trying to fix it myself when hidden mobile files are annoying to get. If it was PC, like the Windows files, then it would be relatively easy. But when you even use a file browser app and can't find the right file to put in the right folder... or of you do and it just fundamentally breaks because the save doesn't update when transferred (like in this case)... regardless, as I said I was hoping someone else had a fix, but it's kinda harsh seeing the dev actually respond and say they have no control over it as if someone else makes the APK for them lol