Merge release/26.2 into trunk (#22182)

* Bump version number

* Update draft release notes for 26.2

* Update draft release notes for Jetpack 26.2.

* Release Notes: add new section for next version (26.3)

* Update release notes for 26.2

* Freeze strings for translation

* Minor updates to 26.2 release notes

* Update WordPress `PlayStoreStrings.po` for version 26.2

* Update Jetpack `PlayStoreStrings.po` for version 26.2

---------

Co-authored-by: Oguz Kocer <[email protected]>

Author: wpmobilebot

CLAUDE.md

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ This file provides guidance to Claude Code (claude.ai/code) when working with co
 
 ### Main Build Commands
 - `./gradlew assembleWordPressVanillaDebug` - Build debug APK for WordPress app
-- `./gradlew assembleJetpackVanillaDebug` - Build debug APK for Jetpack app  
+- `./gradlew assembleJetpackVanillaDebug` - Build debug APK for Jetpack app
 - `./gradlew installWordPressVanillaDebug` - Install debug APK to connected device
 - `./gradlew installJetpackVanillaDebug` - Install debug APK for Jetpack to device
 
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ This repository builds two apps from shared codebase:
 ├── WordPress/                 # Main app module
 ├── libs/
 │   ├── fluxc/                 # Networking and data layer (FluxC architecture)
-│   ├── login/                 # Shared login functionality  
+│   ├── login/                 # Shared login functionality
 │   ├── editor/                # Block editor integration
 │   ├── image-editor/          # Image editing functionality
 │   ├── analytics/             # Analytics and tracking
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ WordPress/src/main/java/org/wordpress/android/
 ├── ui/                        # UI layer organized by feature
 │   ├── posts/                # Post creation and management
 │   ├── reader/               # Content discovery and reading
-│   ├── stats/                # Site analytics and statistics  
+│   ├── stats/                # Site analytics and statistics
 │   ├── bloggingreminders/    # Posting reminders system
 │   ├── comments/             # Comment management
 │   ├── accounts/             # Authentication and signup
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ WordPress/src/main/java/org/wordpress/android/
 ### Code Quality Tools
 - Android Code Style Guidelines with project-specific Checkstyle and Detekt rules
 - **Checkstyle**: Java code style enforcement (`config/checkstyle.xml`)
-- **Detekt**: Kotlin code analysis (`config/detekt/detekt.yml`) 
+- **Detekt**: Kotlin code analysis (`config/detekt/detekt.yml`)
 - **Android Lint**: Built-in Android static analysis
 - **Line Length**: 120 characters max
 - **No FIXME**: Use TODO instead of FIXME in committed code
@@ -97,4 +97,72 @@ WordPress/src/main/java/org/wordpress/android/
 - Remote build cache available for faster builds (requires setup)
 - Fastlane used for release automation and testing
 - Secrets managed via `secrets.properties` file (not in repo)
-- Pre-commit hooks may modify files during commit
+- Pre-commit hooks may modify files during commit
+
+## Release Notes Compilation Process
+
+### Overview
+Process for compiling release notes for new versions, ensuring they meet Play Store character limits (under 500, preferably 350-400) and maintain the established playful tone.
+
+### Step-by-Step Process
+
+#### 1. Study Previous Release Notes Style
+Use `gh` to fetch releases and analyze professional editorialization patterns:
+- **Version 25.8**: Raw added in commits `8cd1b4cc268887b9e2de94fb19afc108b011f0da` & `93591923dd9a9c144729952ad0dfbc9306f69894`, editorialized in `8a7fc316cf0acfc2b88b1090e3ca148f2145fa92`
+- **Version 25.9**: Raw added in `b4a292cc9c9a30823bfdf8e770479a68362ed500`, editorialized in `dad8fa582856758999c43384ccbe55f34b6d2e17`
+- **Version 26.0**: Raw added in `a53234ea6b13adf18acac262ad985f94308191c6` & `63067fb7249cc860d44547bb0d1b8dee975dbe8e`, editorialized in `02854d67c42146e611f0f0dff9feb0fd48dc7fd8`
+
+Commands: `gh release view 25.8`, `gh release view 25.9`, `gh release view 26.0` (note: no 'v' prefix)
+
+#### 2. Verify Release Branch and Get Last Release Hash
+- Verify current branch follows naming: `release/x.y` (where x.y = last_release + 0.1)
+- Get commit hash for last release: `gh release view <last_version> --json tagName,targetCommitish`
+- Confirm current branch is properly ahead of last release tag
+
+#### 3. Identify Changes Since Last Release
+Compare current release branch against last release hash:
+```bash
+git log <last_release_hash>..HEAD --oneline --no-merges
+```
+Focus on user-facing changes from squash commit messages. **Important**: When commit messages are unclear or technical, always investigate further:
+- Use `gh pr view <PR_number>` to read PR titles and descriptions
+- Look for keywords indicating user-facing changes: "feat:", new functionality, UI changes, user experience
+- Be especially careful with feature rollouts that may have technical-sounding commit messages but represent new user functionality
+- When in doubt, investigate the PR rather than excluding potentially important features
+
+#### 4. Compile Raw Release Notes
+Create factual summary including:
+- **Always check RELEASE-NOTES.txt file** (note: hyphen, not underscore) for developer-authored release notes under the version number section. These notes start with `[*]`, `[**]`, or `[***]` (stars indicate importance) and **must be included** in the raw release notes
+- Only user-facing changes (exclude CI, refactoring, technical debt)
+- Prioritize: New features → Improvements → Performance enhancements
+- Use positive language (avoid "bug fix", prefer "improved", "enhanced", "resolved")
+- Include rough character counts to gauge condensation needed
+- Mark changes as WordPress-specific, Jetpack-specific, or both
+
+#### 5. User Confirmation
+Present raw notes to user for:
+- Accuracy verification
+- WordPress vs Jetpack feature classification
+- Any missing or incorrect changes
+- Approval to proceed with editorialization
+
+#### 6. Editorialization
+Transform raw notes using established playful style:
+- Keep under 350 characters (accounting for translation expansion)
+- Use engaging, user-friendly language
+- Reference previous release note styles from step 1
+- Create separate versions for WordPress and Jetpack apps
+- Focus on user benefits and experience improvements
+
+#### 7. Update Release Notes Files
+Once user confirms the editorialized release notes, **replace** the contents of the following files (discard any existing content):
+- **WordPress release notes**: `WordPress/metadata/release_notes.txt`
+- **Jetpack release notes**: `WordPress/jetpack_metadata/release_notes.txt`
+
+Document any process refinements discovered during execution.
+
+### Content Guidelines
+- **Include**: New features, UI improvements, performance enhancements, user experience changes
+- **Exclude**: CI changes, code refactoring, dependency updates, internal technical changes
+- **Language**: Positive sentiment, avoid "fix" terminology, focus on improvements and enhancements
+- **Priority Order**: New features → Improvements → Performance → Other user-facing changes

RELEASE-NOTES.txt

@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 *** PLEASE FOLLOW THIS FORMAT: [<priority indicator, more stars = higher priority>] <description> [<PR URL>]
 
+26.3
+-----
+
+
 26.2
 -----
 

WordPress/jetpack_metadata/PlayStoreStrings.po

@@ -10,6 +10,14 @@ msgstr ""
 "X-Generator: VsCode\n"
 "Project-Id-Version: Jetpack - Apps - Android - Release Notes\n"
 
+msgctxt "release_note_262"
+msgid ""
+"26.2:\n"
+"- Connect your self-hosted sites to Jetpack with our new streamlined flow—available right from Stats and Notifications.\n"
+"- We've added support for mentions in the experimental editor—tag your friends and collaborators with ease.\n"
+"- Media selection just got more accessible for everyone.\n"
+msgstr ""
+
 msgctxt "release_note_261"
 msgid ""
 "26.1:\n"
@@ -19,12 +27,6 @@ msgid ""
 "- Fixed various upload bugs and improved overall media handling.\n"
 msgstr ""
 
-msgctxt "release_note_260"
-msgid ""
-"26.0:\n"
-"We’ve added Application Passwords authentication. It’s still experimental, but once it’s fully integrated, we’ll be able to improve existing features and introduce new ones. Rock on.\n"
-msgstr ""
-
 #. translators: Release notes for this version to be displayed in the Play Store. Limit to 500 characters including spaces and commas!
 #. translators: Title to be displayed in the Play Store. Limit to 30 characters including spaces and commas!
 msgctxt "play_store_app_title"

WordPress/jetpack_metadata/release_notes.txt

@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-- New Subscribers screen shows all your email and Reader subscribers—now you know who's reading your content.
-- Media now displays properly on private sites in the experimental editor.
-- Enhanced media uploads with better authentication and improved performance.
-- Fixed various upload bugs and improved overall media handling.
+- Connect your self-hosted sites to Jetpack with our new streamlined flow—available right from Stats and Notifications.
+- We've added support for mentions in the experimental editor—tag your friends and collaborators with ease.
+- Media selection just got more accessible for everyone.

WordPress/metadata/PlayStoreStrings.po

@@ -10,6 +10,13 @@ msgstr ""
 "X-Generator: VsCode\n"
 "Project-Id-Version: Release Notes & Play Store Descriptions\n"
 
+msgctxt "release_note_262"
+msgid ""
+"26.2:\n"
+"- We've added support for mentions in the experimental editor—tag your friends and collaborators with ease.\n"
+"- Media selection just got more accessible for everyone.\n"
+msgstr ""
+
 msgctxt "release_note_261"
 msgid ""
 "26.1:\n"
@@ -18,12 +25,6 @@ msgid ""
 "- Fixed various upload bugs and improved overall media handling.\n"
 msgstr ""
 
-msgctxt "release_note_260"
-msgid ""
-"26.0:\n"
-"We’ve added Application Passwords authentication. It’s still experimental, but once it’s fully integrated, we’ll be able to improve existing features and introduce new ones. Rock on.\n"
-msgstr ""
-
 #. translators: Release notes for this version to be displayed in the Play Store. Limit to 500 characters including spaces and commas!
 #. translators: Shorter Release notes for this version to be displayed in the Play Store. Limit to 500 characters including spaces and commas!
 msgctxt "sample_post_content"

WordPress/metadata/release_notes.txt

@@ -1,3 +1,2 @@
-- Media now displays properly on private sites in the experimental editor.
-- Enhanced media uploads with better authentication and improved performance.
-- Fixed various upload bugs and improved overall media handling.
+- We've added support for mentions in the experimental editor—tag your friends and collaborators with ease.
+- Media selection just got more accessible for everyone.

fastlane/resources/values/strings.xml

@@ -978,8 +978,6 @@
     <string name="experimental_subscribers_feature_description">View and manage newsletter subscribers</string>
     <string name="experimental_application_password_feature">Application Password log in</string>
     <string name="experimental_application_password_feature_description">Enable Application Password to log into self-hosted sites</string>
-    <string name="experimental_jetpack_rest_connection">Experimental Jetpack REST Connection</string>
-    <string name="experimental_jetpack_rest_connection_description">Enable experimental Jetpack REST Connection flow</string>
 
     <!-- Debug settings -->
     <string name="preference_open_debug_settings" translatable="false">Debug Settings</string>
@@ -1009,23 +1007,29 @@
 
     <!-- Jetpack REST Connection Screen -->
     <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_title">Jetpack Connection</string>
-    <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_setup_title">Setting up Jetpack (Simulated)</string>
+    <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_setup_title">Setting up Jetpack</string>
     <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_step_login_wpcom">Login to WordPress.com</string>
     <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_step_install_jetpack">Install Jetpack plugin</string>
-    <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_step_connect_site">Connect your site</string>
-    <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_step_connect_wpcom">Connect to WordPress.com</string>
+    <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_step_connect_site">Connect site to WordPress.com</string>
+    <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_step_connect_user">Connect user to WordPress.com</string>
     <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_step_finalize">Finalize setup</string>
     <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_status_not_started">Not started</string>
     <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_status_in_progress">In progress…</string>
     <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_status_completed">Completed</string>
     <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_status_failed">Failed</string>
     <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_cancel_title">Cancel Jetpack Setup?</string>
     <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_cancel_message">The Jetpack connection process is in progress. Are you sure you want to cancel?</string>
-    <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_error_jetpack_already_installed">Jetpack is already installed</string>
     <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_error_timeout">Timed out</string>
     <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_error_unknown" translatable="false">@string/error_generic</string>
     <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_error_offline" translatable="false">@string/no_network_title</string>
-    <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_error_wpcom">Unable to connect to WordPress.com</string>
+    <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_error_login_wpcom">Unable to log into WordPress.com</string>
+    <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_error_connect_wpcom">Unable to connect to WordPress.com</string>
+    <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_error_install_jetpack">Install failed</string>
+    <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_error_install_jetpack_inactive">Jetpack installed but inactive</string>
+    <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_error_connect_site">Failed to connect to site</string>
+    <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_error_connect_user">Failed to connect user to WordPress.com</string>
+    <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_error_access_token">Access token missing</string>
+    <string name="jetpack_rest_connection_error_activate_stats">Failed to activate stats</string>
 
     <!-- Stats refresh -->
     <string name="stats_no_data_yet">No data yet</string>
@@ -1576,6 +1580,7 @@
     <string name="notifications_jetpack_connection_setup_info">To get helpful notifications on your device from your WordPress site, you\'ll need to install the Jetpack plugin. Would you like to set up Jetpack?</string>
     <string name="notifications_empty_view_reader">Go to Reader</string>
     <string name="content_description_person_reading_device_notification">Person reading device with notifications</string>
+    <string name="content_description_empty_view">Image illustrating that the view is empty</string>
     <string name="older_two_days">Older than 2 days</string>
     <string name="older_last_week">Older than a week</string>
     <string name="older_month">Older than a month</string>
@@ -5071,4 +5076,7 @@ translators: %s: Select control option value e.g: "Auto, 25%". -->
     <string name="application_password_name_sort">Name</string>
     <string name="application_password_created_sort">Created</string>
     <string name="application_password_last_used_sort">Last used</string>
+
+    <!-- DataView -->
+    <string name="dataview_default_empty_message">There\'s nothing here</string>
 </resources>

version.properties

@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
-versionName=26.1
-versionCode=1472
+versionName=26.2-rc-1
+versionCode=1473