Working on a device-owner application (installed at provision time with NFC), so far I did not find any way to provision devices directly with a PlayStore-based-App, that is why I keep using a private distribution mode for my apk, directly downloaded from a private server...
In this context here is my question: is there a way to use GCM with an App that isn't distributed on the Google Play Store?
Developers will be able to sign-up for GCM for both Play and non-Play apps. However, GCM stats will be available for only published Google Play apps. So yes, I believe you can use GCM with a non-Play Store app.
Related
I am working of app support COSU app android. The app is working fine for me but I am not understand how user will update our app, because COSU app user can't access any other application even google play store. So now the question is that how user will update our application without google play access.
I have one solutin download app from our server, but in this case user will lose save data like the data we are storing in SharedPreference. Please guide me if you have any other solution for that. Thank in advence
According to Google's docs on COSU (Google Play app management), it is possible to "install, update, and uninstall apps using the Play EMM API". Under "Google-hosted private app management" it describes the ability to host private apps through Play that your users can install/update:
Simplifies the Google-hosted private app publishing and update
workflows available to all admins through managed Google Play, by
enabling admins to update Google-hosted private apps through the EMM console instead of through the Google Play console.
Enterprise admin can upload new versions of apps that are already published privately to the enterprise using the Google Play Developer Publishing API.
If you don't want to use Play for this functionality you can read the "Self-hosted private app management" section.
You can also look at "Managed Google Play" to publish private apps for your users: https://support.google.com/googleplay/work/topic/6145152
After you register for a Google Play Developer account and set up the correct administrator privileges to upload and publish the app to managed Google Play, you can use the Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) console to distribute the app to users.
Going the EMM route will let you update apps with the same functionality as regular Google Play apps where updates don't cause users to lose data. Unfortunately Google's documentation isn't detailed or centralized for this feature. Going through Google will also require that all of your devices are signed in to Google account in order to install apps or receive updates that you deploy though the EMM console.
Another option is to use a mobile device management (MDM) solution. If you have Samsung devices you can look into Samsung Knox which has a much simpler method for distributing your app: https://www.samsungknox.com/en/article/manage-apps
Another MDM option for single use apps is Mason (https://bymason.com/). Mason lets you upload your app, select any or all of your devices, and then deploy your APK to your users. When updating your app, all you have to do is increment your app version and the update functionality will be the same as a regular Google Play update. Your users also don't have to be signed in to a Google account.
If this sounds useful to you feel free to reach out to me trevor # bymason.com
DISCLAIMER: I work at Mason
I want to use FCM(Firebase Cloud Messaging) in my organization's internal App which is not going to be hosted on google play. Does it require any kind of payment? I searched about it, all the searches pointed to google play developer console which charges $25 as one time registration fees. I assume registering on google play developer console is required when we want to host an App on google play. Correct me if I am wrong.
Currently I am able to use FCM in the App just by signing in using my gmail account. I want to know whether payment is necessary for using google FCM service in the App.
As already mentioned in the comments by #jankigadhiya, FCM service is free of charge, though there are premium packages, as seen in the Firebase Pricings page.
The $25 registration fee for the Google Play Dev Console is only necessary IF you are planning to publish your app via the Google Play Store, as described:
Google Play Developer Console enables developers to easily publish and distribute their applications directly to users of Android-compatible phones.
Most of the perks/advantage when registering are for apps who's target is the public market. Since you're app is for internal use only, the advantage I think you can make use of should you choose to register for a Google Play Dev Console is Viewing the App Performance Statistics.
This How to use the Google Play Dev Console help doc should prove helpful.
Im working on an app with server-client communication. It will have a small
messaging system and maybe i will also synchronize the conigurations with GCM.
All users have to register to use the app and to use the functionalities
from our provided website and they can communicate with other registered user
using the app or the website.
If i use GCM to implement the messaging and the config synchronization, does
every user has to have a google account? This Tutorial says that i have
to create a google account. That wouldnt be good for me.. actually i dont want
my users to be forced to have a google account.
From Android GCM Overview
It uses an existing connection for Google services. For pre-3.0 devices, this requires users to set up their Google account on their mobile devices. A Google account is not a requirement on devices running Android 4.0.4 or higher.
If you are using GCM from the google play service library yes you need a google account because google play services gets updated through the play store.
I read about Google Cloud Messaging for Android (GCM) and I liked it but I am afraid of drawbacks and misunderstanding
1)Do we have to force the client app end users to have at least one google account to enable the usage of GCM?
2)Is Google Play Store required for clients to use GCM?
if yes, Is it done by the client app user or by the server app side user?
Do we have to force the client app end users to have at least one google account to enable the usage of GCM?
On older devices, yes. Quoting the documentation:
For pre-3.0 devices, this requires users to set up their Google account on their mobile devices. A Google account is not a requirement on devices running Android 4.0.4 or higher.
Is Google Play Store required for clients to use GCM?
No, but the Google Services Framework is required, and usually devices with the Google Services Framework have the Play Store.
I have built an application that we will be selling to customers through the Google Play store.
We also have individuals in house that will support outside customers, and also use it in house. They need to have the application running on their own device. If I distribute it to them via an .apk file, can they receive updates via Google Play? Or do they have to purchase it through Google Play to receive updates?
Secondary question: Is there a better solution to distributing to internal users?
As curious myself and not having official info on this, I just did a test:
On Google Play I have an App at version 1.3.2
I've installed via ADB the version 1.3.0 on my device.
Opened Google Play > My Apps.
The update to version 1.3.2 was available.
Did the update
All seems to work normally.
So my word on this is: Yes they will receive the update (the app has to have the same signature of course).
Maybe you might just have a look on term of services if this isn't breaking any rules.
On the second question, the "better" solution may wary based on the company infrastructure which we don't know.
If the version on Google Play is identical to the version you distributed, signed with the same signature, and it is available as a free app, then Google Play can be used to update the version distributed outside of Google Play.
I received the following in an email from a member of the Google Play Team:
"The side-loaded apps used by your internal users will not receive updates from Google Play. You will need to provide them with the new APK in order for them to access the new features/functionality. This is working as intended to ensure that only users who have purchased a paid app will receive notifications and updates."
So: Paid for apps cannot be updated via Google Play if they are "side-loaded" (installed outside of Google Play).