How do I make my sideload only android app check for updates on every launch
For example make it go to example.com/latest.txt and compare the versions and then download it
Or another solution that doesnt involve play services.
I've tried looking this question up but didn't find anything of use
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I got a question about the Google play console, I published the new update of my application, but I need specific users (Android 33 latest version) to reinstall my application through the update, is there any option that could help me to make the google play uninstall the application then install the new update.
No, that's not possible and probably not desirable as users may lose their app data (which may be ok depending on the user case). However, if the device backup is enabled and your app supports it, app data is usually restored when the app is reinstalled - including databases and preferences. So that will very likely not really help.
Instead, you should implement a patching mechanism that is executed for the specific users after the update was installed.
Depending on what you need to change, there are several ways to implement:
SQLite SQLiteOpenHelper offers onUpgrade(..) to migrate data from one version to another.
For other things, you can always implement such a simple patch mechanism yourself depending on what you need to change based upon SharedPreferences as described here: How to run code only when my app is updated.
I want to be able to detect the first run of my app before it has been updated by Google Play. (Trust me, this is a legitimate scenario.) Is there a way for me to keep Google Play/Android from updating the app before it has been run at least once?
You can create 2 apps, one that triggers the installation of the other via Intent. That way, you are sure the first one was run before installing the second.
I spoke with an engineer from Google. There is not currently any means to absolutely guarantee that an app is run before it is updated by the Play Store.
I am creating an Android app which depends on some other android apps. So if these dependent apps are not already there on the users mobile, I would like to download them programmatically from play store. But during this process I don’t want the control to go to the Play store app (i.e. no Play store app activity should be visible).Is it possible to use some Api or functionality to do that? I found two link but I think that link. But I think such solution don't work no more.
I realize that this is sort of a broad and perhaps vague question, but I'm looking for some common strategies for self-updating an app in android (not via Google Play, but directly from the application itself). Perhaps I could embed the actual app's APK within another APK which does the updating, but then (1) could the updater even modify itself while it's running and (2) more generally, how might one prevent another (supposedly malicious) app from modifying the updater? Any tips, links, or thoughts on the matter would be greatly appreciated!
I'm looking for some common strategies for self-updating an app in android
There is really only one strategy that I can think of:
Step #1: Determine that an update is available (e.g., monitor some URL for latest-version info)
Step #2: Download the update
Step #3: Kick off the install using ACTION_VIEW or ACTION_INSTALL_PACKAGE (latter available on API Level 14+), at some point when the user requests it, since the user will need to approve the update
could the updater even modify itself while it's running
The app being updated will have its process stopped during the update.
how might one prevent another (supposedly malicious) app from modifying the updater?
The update has to be signed by the same signing key as signed the original version, no different than via distribution through the Play Store. Hence, protect your signing key with your life (or perhaps with somebody else's life, if there's anyone around wearing a red shirt).
One thing to be aware of is that Google doesn't like this sort of behavior at all. Google bans self-updating Android apps...
Google has now changed the Google Play store polices in an apparent
attempt to avoid Facebook-like end runs around store-delivered
updates. Under the "Dangerous Products" section of the Google Play
developer policies, Google now states that "[a]n app downloaded from
Google Play may not modify, replace or update its own APK binary code
using any method other than Google Play's update mechanism." A
Droid-Life article says the language update occurred Thursday. APK
(standing for application package file) is the file format used to
install applications on Android.
I'm not sure if your app is or will ever be on Google Play, but if so I'd advise against doing this, as it could jeopardize your developer account.
I found Google Keep from the Google Play on my device.
However, after reinstalling the Android system, I can not find Google keep from the Google Play and it shows that "Your device is not compatible with this version"
I am very confused for this searching result while the same device ran well with this app before.
I can understand there are several ways to install this app on my device again.
A couple of questions confuse me..
How can I check the features that this app may change in the new version? This may cause the reason why I can not find it in the Google Play.
Will that be any possibility to modify my device source code in order to find this app on the Google Play in my device?
Thanks
I just found that shouldnt the permission(feature) issue because I can find and install other apps which require more permissions than Google Keep.
The permissions that have anything to do with hardware are:
record audio (needs microphone)
precise location (GPS)
control vibration
If your phone has these features and runs Android 4.0 and up, it should be compatible.
I see two possible reasons:
After reinstalling you have an older version of Android. If this is the case, check for updates and after updating it should work
Your device model may have been blacklisted because of compatibility issues. In this case, Google may find a solution in the future and Keep will become available.
You can install Keep anyway, sideloading it. You just have to download the .apk from somewhere (Google it and be careful for malware).