I want to make my app be downloadable from my site, then I read about sideloading. Which, as to what I read, will install the app to the users phone instead of downloading the apk. Is there a way that I can make my site sideload my app?
Thanks.
You really don't want to do this. Sideloading (as in installing the app for the user) only works if the user has adb installed which usually only true for developers and root users. It is much better to provide either a download of the apk or to provide a link to the play store.
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I want to release my mobile app(Flutter) freely to use it myself, but passing the application certification in AppStore and GooglePlay is so hard.
Is there any way to release my app?
For yourself, just use adb install to install via command line. For others, put the compiled apk file on a website somewhere. It can be downloaded and installed, they just need to toggle a setting that prevents outside software.
I've released 10+ app on GooglePlay, and as far as i know, if you want to publish your app there, you will need to follow all of their procedures. I personally don't think it is that difficult to fulfill all the requirements.
As an other alternative, you can simply upload your .apk file on your blog/site and tell people to download it from there.
However, using GooglePlay/AppStore as the platform to launch your app will give more credibility to your app, as people will tend to consider downloading from blog as 'not safe' (might be infiltrated by other unintended software).
I have a question. How can I make an Android app installation to work similar as works installation from the official App Store for Android? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_software_distribution_platforms) Do I need to have Root access? Or should it be a special version of Android where App Store will work as Google Play? Currently, I’m only able to install applications as “Unknown Sources”, where my application downloads the apk File and calls a system installation window where user confirms the installation. The problem here is that the file to be installed can be copied (even just a brief moment). It may be ok for free applications or the ones with server authentication (log/pas) but for paid apps it could be a problem.
Even if you install the app and delete the APK, it's still very easy to recover the APK of an installed application. The only way you can really protect your app is by using in-app licensing checks or locking the app to a certain device by using the device's id.
Further, on unrooted devices, you can not install apps outside of the Google Play store, unless you enable installation from unknown sources. To get around that restriction -- and to allow auto-updating or silent installation -- you will need to root and install a modified package manager.
I have already published android app on Google Play. It is desired to distribute the application even offline as .apk file directly. My app is completely free and we wish it should spread to as many people.
I am not sure what could be advantages and disadvantages of providing .apk file?
Questions are :
Will Google play count direct .apk installation as a download, when connected to internet ?
Will users with direct .apk installation get any update published later ?
To answer your questions:
Yes, you will get a download prompt if you click on an .apk in Android. When you go to open the completed download, it will offer it up for install (see caveats below)
If you offer your .apk up for direct download outside of Google Play you get no "update checking" -- you have to do that yourself. Not entirely sure what happens if the .apk is available in the play store and via direct download.
It is easier to talk about the disadvantages for the approach of distributing the .apk yourself.
You have to do all the tracking yourself, if you publish to the play store you get some statistics
Similarly, you have to do all "update checking" on your own (either via writing it in your app or some other way.)
No secure way of distributing your application. The built in Android browser does not support downloads over HTTPS streams that require authentication **
Easier for users to get the source code of your app. They can download the .apk from your site, open it in 7zip (or similar) and have at the underlying class files. Whether or not this is a concern is really for you to decide.
The most important reason
Your users will have to check "Allow installation of packages from unknown sources". Your average person might not know how to do this, and may be hesitant to do so. So, it may limit your ability to gain a a wide market share.
So, in summary, ask yourself if not being in Google Play/Android Market is really worth the hassle that comes for both you and your users.
** Not sure if this is true with Chrome on Android -- it is certainly true with the older default browser
Google play collects statistics of Apps only installed through Play Store , with a Google account logged in. Read Documentation on App statistics.
Newer version of Play Store app can auto detect if any of installed app is also available on play store, and will notify for the update.
Also, there are numerous third party app markets other than Play Store. You can upload your app there too (auto update is not available with all of them).
Seems no, correct me if I am wrong :)
Yes, provided that the package name is the same and the version code of the apk file you've uploaded to google play is larger than the one installed in the device.
I am new to android. I could install an APK pro-grammatically which is present in the SD card ..It will prompt the user to install the APK. But i need to install without prompting, as we do in Android Market (Google Play), where we click INSTALL and automatically the app gets installed without prompting.
Note:* I found some links on stackoverflow, but all those mechanism will prompt the user.
How to do this? Plz help
There is some information here :
Install apps silently, with granted INSTALL_PACKAGES permission
and here :
How does AppBrain's installation app work?
I don't think is a really good idea to install something without telling it to the user and/or without showing him the permissions you're asking for. In the second link, CommonsWare give a really good comment about this idea.
You can take a look on the Android's Developer Distribution Agreement, article 4.5, if you want to publish your app on the Play Store.
I'm pretty sure you can't.
I suppose Play Store has access to APIs that you can't use because it is signed with the Google key.
Your apps needs to be signed with platform signature to install apps directly from your app.
Could you please make it clear what exactly do you mean by "I could install an APK pro-grammatically which is present in the SD card " & "need to install without prompting".
But according to my guess of what you actually mean, if you want the install APKs which are not from the market, then check the option 'Unknown Sources' in the security tab of settings.
AFAIK only then you would be able to install unsigned APKs
I'm writing an app and would like users to be able to download the apk and install it from my website. However, I would like the app to still be able to update through the market, is this possible?
I don't believe that it is possible.
You are better off to link them to the market from your website rather than hosting the APK file.
market://search?q=pname:your.package.name
That will open the market on the users phone. It is safer and easier than plugging in the phone and installing over USB.
As far as I know and tested, applications installed using .apk files, will be recognized from the android market. Some games though like Angry Birds, do not appear on my list of installed applications and unfortunately I can't find out why.
But for what is worth the following link will help you more.
http://androidforums.com/application-development/65282-can-you-keep-your-paid-app-updating-illegally-installed-apk.html
This is not possible without apps like Titanium Backup. Titanium Backup can link apps to their market counter-parts but you cannot do it without an app like that (which requires Root).
As i know - it's not possible.
Even if you'll use the same package names and signing certificates.