I have an app that will be installed by the user from a public webserver (outside android market).
So I hosted the apk in webserver and instructed the users to type the url to download the file and then "open" the downloaded file to install it.
But, almost 100% of users are having difficulties to do those simple tasks (they're are not familiar with technology...).
So, I decided to make a webpage that will simplify the task. The page contains a single big button that will:
Donwload the apk;
After download finish, start "Android's Install Dialog" to install the downloaded apk;
Dowloading file is pretty easy, but now my problem is to open the "Install dialog" from browser!
I'm totally newbie about html/javascript and I don't know how to do it (or even if this is possible).
Normally, you just link to the .apk file. When the user clicks on such a link, the .apk file is downloaded and the installation is automatically started (with a dialog like 'do you want to install this application').
So, just Download and install....
Important! This only works if your users allow installation from 'Unknown sources' in settings/security.
If browser is written not by you, then it doesn't know what to do with downloaded apk file. Ask user to download something like EasyInstall to install side-loaded apks or place you apk on Google Play. Google Play app on the device knows how to install apk.
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True at the time of writing: Aug. 2012
You need to ensure your webserver that is going to deliver the APK sets the MIME type properly. It should be application/vnd.android.package-archive for .apk files.
Related
I would like to have a link on web page where from mobile device I can click and Android .apk application will install (like on the Play Market). I know that in order to reach this functionality for iOS I need to have an .ipa file and a .plist XML. What do I have to do in case of Android app?
upd: I found this topic apk installation from web page but apk only downloads to filesystem and user has to manually install it. I would like to installation process start automatically :(
I have developed an android .apk file and I need to put it on my website for OTA installation (For some reasons, I cannot put it on Android Market). The idea is, I will send sms with the link of .apk file to the android device and by clicking the application should start download and installation process.
At the moment, when I try, it is a two step process -
1. it downloads the .apk file
2. I need to click on .apk file to install it.
Is there anyway to remove step 2 (click on .apk file to install it) and by clicking on url of .apk file, it gets downloaded and installed (of course by asking all the necessary permission from user so it is not a security threat to user).
I have done similar thing on Blackberry/Symbian/Winmo and it is just one step process (clicking on the link downloads and runs the installer) so I thought there should be a way on android as well.
Any help would be appreciated.
Regards
Simple answer: No.
If you already have an application running on the user's device, you could register for a special URI and download and open the file yourself. Android itself does not have such an option (for obivous reasons).
I am trying to make a simple webview for my mobile website.
There are app link .apk on that website and I need to detect when user click on those link. After clicking file will be downloaded to SD card, then form user to install if want to..
I have read many solutions but did not get working solution yet.
Now all good at step to detect the .apk file, but it seem open default browser for those download link in second then go off, and I don't know how to auto-form install after downloaded.
My Code that I used.
Typically the embedded webview wont have all the features that the normal browser has. Therefore, once you catch the click on the apk then you have to do one of the following
Download the file via the Android DownloadManager (example here http://www.vogella.com/blog/2011/06/14/android-downloadmanager-example/)
Download the file yourself via HttpUrlConnection
Once the download has completed, you can try and kick off the install via an Intent (most likely Intent.ACTION_VIEW) or install directly via PackageManager.
See here install / uninstall APKs programmatically (PackageManager vs Intents)
This is my first Android app. I need to email what I have so far to someone for testing.
How should I do I export the app and attach it, so it is not being treated as Junk?
Much simpler method:
Put the apk on your web server
Create a QR Barcode image using:
http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=qr&chs=150x150&chld=H|1&chl=http://myserver/myapp.apk
Then send him that barcode in an email and tell him to scan it using the barcode reader app.
The barcode reader app will see the barcode and provide a hyperlink for the user to click. They click the link and the app downloads and installs.
compile/build your app, it should produce a file like myAppName.apk, just send it via email to your friend
try to look in yourProjectPath/bin folder
If you are using Eclipse run the app on the emulator to test it. Now Eclipse should have created a bin folder in your project folder. In this folder you will find an apk file that contains your app.
Just send this file to your friend via email. He know can install the file on the emulator if he has one running. If not he can just plugin his phone via usb move the file to the SD-Card remove the USB connection and then navigate to the file on his SD-Card with a file browser like ASTRO and select the, item now the application manager should show up and he can install the app. If this does not work he has to go to settings -> applications -> and enable unknown sources.
I assume you are using Android Studio for application development.
Follow these steps:
Go to "build" from the navigation bar in Android Studio.
Go to "build bundle(s)/APK(s)" from the drop down that appears.
Click on "build APK(s)". You will get a notification box at the bottom right of your screen.
Click on "locate". Two files will appear. One is a ".json" file and one is an ".apk" file.
Send these files to your friends on WhatsApp and tell them to download the JSON file and install the APK file. Now your application is running.
You are done.
You can also right-click on your project (in eclipse) and click on export
then select "Export Android Application" and give all the details...
after you finish you will have a myAppName.apk, which you can email
Export Android Application would be the correct way to generate the apk. Using the one that eclipse uses has debugging info, plus it is signed with debug key, not an actual key. If you install an application signed with one key, and then later try to install an application (same package name) with a different key, you will first have to uninstall the original application first.
The simple answer is it is very simple, Droid devices understand what an APK is. So, tell your friend to Check "Enable Unknown Sources" currently in Settings->Security (not Settings-> Applications as of now.) Then email them the APK. Upon receiving it, Droid will either get it installed, or they can download it to downloads, where they can also install it from. Accept the Permissions, and off you go.
You can use the Microsoft App Center to build and distribute your Signed/Unsigned APK with your beta testers.
Or you can also use Google Drive, DropBox, Amazon S3 to distribute your APK
In Android Studio build with "build"->"Build Bundle"->"Build APKs" which you'll find in the folder app/build/outputs/apk/debug then.
You cannot attach the file in your email directly, since APKs are treated as junk by most email providers. So upload the apk somewhere and send the link to your co-worker.
If a link is not enough, with a simple trick, you can send the file anyway:
Rename the file: attach .bin at the end of the filename (i.e. myApp.apk.bin)
send the fake .bin file
Tell the receiver, that they have to rename it to plain .apk before installing. (On android renaming is possible with a file-manager, i.e. like Totalcommander)
If you are using Android Studio for application development
now your apk is ready to share. Go to email and attach the apk file and enjoy.[note:Maximum Email Size Limits maybe 25MB]
How can I install an application without any developer tools (Eclipse, Android SDK tools)?
I've compiled and created an .apk file. Now I am gonna send this apk file to my friend.
He is not an Android developer; he doesn't know how to use Eclipse or the SDK.
And I don't want to publish my application to android market.
Is there a way to launch the application on a real device without publishing it or having access to a machine with the SDK?
You can deploy the .apk file on your local server(apache or jboss) with a static IP to make the file available for download. Now just open the download link of the apk file in your mobile browser. The device will automatically start the installation after the download completes.
The way I usually do this is:
Plug in my USB cable to my PC and mount my SD card on my computer
Get the APK file somewhere on my SD card on the phone
Unmount the SD card on my PC, allowing the phone to see the SD card contents again
Use Astro File Manager or some similar app to browse to that file on the SD card and select it, which will prompt you if you want to install the app on your phone.
You should set
Settings -> Application -> Unknown sources
to allow installation from non-Market.
Then, once your application is published somewhere, you can download it an install it.
Also you can use 'adb install ' to install apk's to your device.
Though this approach requires you to have adb available on your computer and adb is part of the sdk.
Another, easier approach, is using DropBox. This enables you to save the apk in the dropbox/public folder, create a URI from there and supply this to your friend. Then have him download the apk. Android will notify him when it's done, so he only has to click the notification and Android will ask him whether or not he wants to install this software.
Try DeployGate. With the service you can generate a download page like this:
https://dply.me/7hmric
Then it will guide your friends to install your app and you can see how is going, e.g. which version is installed or updated, or app is crashed, in realtime.
Though it's a very common question, there were no simple way to achieve it. Even if we can send people an APK file through whatever, they have to change the "Unknown Sources" setting before the installation. We have to take care of this kind stuff everyday. It's simply a waste of time. So we made DeployGate, a tester-friendly private app distribution service to help the developers just like you. :)
Disclaimer: I'm a developer of the service.
Hopefully you will find the answer from here Install Android application on Android Device
Add your APK file to your device SD card and run it, you must allow to install non-market application on your device before you going to install.
Go to Setting -> Application Setting ->Unknown Source and tick check box which will allow to install non-market application on your device
what i usually do is:
1. Through mail: i send the .apk to their mail id.
2. do open his mail in his mobile. and download the attached .apk.
3. it will ask for installation and do run.
If doing from a windows based server with IIS 7.
Setup a website, with a page named default.asp
Add this line to the asp page;
Setup a mime with extension '.apk' and MIME type 'application/vnd.android.package-archive'
When you connect to the page http://yourUrl.co.uk, it will automatically start the download, and include it in the download manager so it can be selected from the drop down menu using default installer.
If the MIME isn't setup correctly then you will have to use a file explorer to open the apk with an installer.
Step-1 : Run Application in AVD First, then Close it.
Step-2 : See in bin/ folder contain AppNm.apk file.Just right click and copy it.
Step-3 : Now Connect Your Phone with Pc and Turn USB Storage on from your phone.
Step-4 : Now go to in your SD card Location and Paste it any location. just remember that location.
Step-5 : Eject/Remove Your phone from pc and check your file in SD card
Step-6 : Now click on it and install....