is there a way to update the game while keeping your progress or do you have to uninstall your game then reinstall it and start over?
Not sure if your progress stays even if you update the game.
Just to be safe:
The saves are stored in Internal Storage>Android>data then find a folder with the game's name on it, and the saves should be in there. Backup the saves folder anywhere and update the game. If the saves folder is still there after updating or not please do let me know.