diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8e6d4dc..506bf0a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -130,6 +130,7 @@ To perform a release, follow these steps:
 1. Remove `-SNAPSHOT`
   - from the `versionName` in `app/build.gradle`
   - from the `versionName` in `utils/build.gradle`
+  - from the `version` in `utils/build.gradle` under `publishing`
 1. Commit the changes
 1. Click "Draft a new release" at https://github.com/elimu-ai/content-provider/releases
 1. Pick the new branch you created as the target branch
diff --git a/app/build.gradle b/app/build.gradle
index 6fb1018..fdc2368 100644
--- a/app/build.gradle
+++ b/app/build.gradle
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ android {
         minSdkVersion 24
         targetSdkVersion 34
         versionCode 1002026
-        versionName "1.2.26-SNAPSHOT"
+        versionName "1.2.26"
         setProperty("archivesBaseName", "${applicationId}-${versionCode}")
         testInstrumentationRunner "androidx.test.runner.AndroidJUnitRunner"
         javaCompileOptions {
diff --git a/utils/build.gradle b/utils/build.gradle
index 9f1fe91..256c920 100644
--- a/utils/build.gradle
+++ b/utils/build.gradle
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ android {
         minSdkVersion 24
         targetSdkVersion 34
         versionCode 1002026
-        versionName "1.2.26-SNAPSHOT"
+        versionName "1.2.26"
         setProperty("archivesBaseName", "utils-${versionName}")
     }
 
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ publishing {
         utils(MavenPublication) {
             groupId 'ai.elimu.content_provider'
             artifactId 'utils'
-            version '1.2.26-SNAPSHOT'
+            version '1.2.26'
             artifact("${buildDir}/outputs/aar/utils-${version}-release.aar")
         }
     }