diff --git a/CHANGELOG b/CHANGELOG
index 4976fcc9949d4c6090c88882c7adafb1bd7f9213..23e22e5b2158907f746412f655b2ab8e90d9a293 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG
+++ b/CHANGELOG
@@ -1,3 +1,17 @@
+0.9.8 - the UI overhaul
+Bugs:
+- fixes notification channel bug on Android 8+
+- fixes Bitmask starting always on restart regardless of the last state before the phone was turned off
+
+Features:
+- support for Android's always-on vpn system setting:
+    - Bitmask starts the vpn with the last selected profile
+    - if no vpn provile is available Bitmask blocks all outgoing internet traffic until
+      the user creates a vpn profile or enables unsecured internet traffic
+      with a click on a notification
+- improved certificate pinning mechanism
+- (more to come)
+
 0.9.7 - the maintenance release
 Bugs:
 - fixes failing login on Android 7.0 and Android 7.1 (Android Nougat)
diff --git a/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml b/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
index c0e2d90c43c16cbd01884eb0b84c5e5f62fadcf1..f177f2c72f419ee5b2e3df03b6e6618b9389bd19 100644
--- a/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@
 
 <manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
     package="se.leap.bitmaskclient"
-    android:versionCode="131"
-    android:versionName="0.9.7" >
+    android:versionCode="132"
+    android:versionName="0.9.8RC1" >
 
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE" />