Is there anyway of deploying an app on android market without letting people download it ? Something like the Apple Store behavior of blocking the download of the app until the release date or owner's will.
Thanks.
It filters market results based on the type of device you have. Maybe you could set some of the things in the manifest in such a combination that a device that meets those requirements doesn't exist yet. That might filter your app out of all of the market search results. But I don't even know if that is possible, and when you wanted to "activate" it so that people could download it you'd have to upload an update with a new manifest. So it seems like you might as well just not upload it until you are ready. Why are you interested in having it set up this way?
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I want to access the apk file of any app before installation.
In more details: in google play store when the user clicks on Install button I want my application to access the apk file of the application that the user wants to download, and analyze this apk file and be able to whether allow the installation or stop it.
is that possible and if so how to approach this
On Android this functionality was introduced in Android 4.2. It is usually used by anti-malware products like Google Play Protect is known as a "Package Verifier". There is a good blog post on it here.
The short answer is this has to be done as part of the phone manufacturing process as it is so critical to security. So the answer is it can be done, but if you write this code you will need to get a phone manufacturer to include your code as part of a phone system image.
Most third party anti-malware products instead rely on analyzing the APK after the install happens by listening to the package added notification.
Definitely not possible in the way that you want. Android's OS is pretty well locked down. You might be able to do something if the device was rooted but at that point you may as well write your own OS fork. You can attempt to do someting with https://developer.android.com/reference/android/content/Intent.html#ACTION_PACKAGE_ADDED broadcast but you will not be able to analyze the apk freely nor will you be able to stop the installation of it.
I'm currently developing a small Android app that will not be on the Play Store. It is a private business application that will be used for a non-emergency transport company. The Android app will show drivers a list of pickups and drop-offs that they will have throughout the day and allow them to update the status of those trips. What I'd like to do is have some method of updating the app during off hours or when the device is idle. Ideally, it would be great if someone has already written some kind of Android updater that can run as a service. However, I certainly wouldn't mind writing this on my own.
Either way, all it needs to do is pull an APK from our servers and install that APK. I usually don't like doing things sneaky like this, but our clients want it to be this way so that they won't have to go to each device and press OK on permission prompts and they don't want to leave the responsibility of updating the software to the drivers.
I understand the security concerns, but it seems to me that there should be some way to allow an app to auto-update itself if the user permits it. Also, our app is signed and includes a certificate on the device to verify that the downloaded app is legit.
As CommonsWare mentioned it's not supported by standard android. If you take the path of creating your own firmware and installer take a look at the existing PackageInstaller. The required changes are not so complicated.
I did it for a couple of custom versions and it works.
Either way, all it needs to do is pull an APK from our servers and install that APK. I usually don't like doing things sneaky like this, but our clients want it to be this way so that they won't have to go to each device and press OK on permission prompts and they don't want to leave the responsibility of updating the software to the drivers.
This is not possible, except via custom firmware or on a rooted device.
it seems to me that there should be some way to allow an app to auto-update itself if the user permits it.
You are welcome to build your own customized version of Android that has this capability. Stock Android does not offer this, except to the firmware itself.
Here's the scenario i am trying to achieve:
Publish/have an app in the Android app store
However - i do not want it to be searchable through the android market search, etc.
The only way people can access the app is if i give them an explicit link to download
Is above possible? If so - how? All FAQs/instrucitons i have seen publish & make it searchable for the whole world - but i want it only accessible through #3 above.
Thanks.
Try this site https://www.push-link.com/, you can upload apk on your private account and only can be accessible thorough automatic generated link and QR code. This service contains user notification on new versions and bug reports.
Two things that are problematic with the link to an APK approach:
Some of the devices out there (I m only aware of the Motorola Atrix) don't have the "Unkown Sources" option, meaning that this won't work on them.
You loose the ability to auto update the app if you want.
I would recommend adding a login process where only your users will have access to the actual application. This way, you still have the Market advantages and only those people can activate the application.
The main disadvantage is that the application will be open to search in the Market, but as far as I know, this won't be a problem since people will immediately uninstall it since they won't be able to activate it.
In your case, what I do is, I dont upload the application to the Market and distribute it from my server.
I mean this is simple, sweet and it also saves my $25 for the market account...
Don't do this. Just publish the APK to your own website, then give the users the URL to the APK, they can download and install it directly. The only thing they'll need to do is ensure that Menu-Settings-Applications-Unknown sources is ticked.
I want to modify my AndroidManifest.xml with various permissions and features and test how my app will be filtered according to those changes. Is there any way to do this without publishing my app, which will notify users of an update?
How about trying it with a test app, that you publish and test filtering, then just remove from the marketplace?
Or you can upload an older version, with the test filters, then the newer version will automatically overwrite it, and since it will have correct filtering you should be okay.
It's a cool idea, but impossible.
I would suggest uploading to the market and postpone the marketing effort until you are sure it's ok.
I have 2 unrelated questions in one so please bear with me.
I want to know if an Android device absolutely requires a simm card inorder to execute all things Location Based Services.
And ...
I would like friends of mine to download my samlpe app. Is there anyway to put my app online where friends can download and help me test and not put my beta-code on Market place?
For the second question, take a look at this question and answer: Signing an app, but not publishing on Android market
You'd be publishing as an "unknown source" and your friends' would have to change a setting on their phones. ATT doesn't allow this on some phones I think.