CODEWITHSUNDEEP
android
user316117
user316117

Reputation: 8281

How can I programmatically disable automatic updates from Google? (Ice Cream Sandwich)

My company makes a tablet Android app to control an industrial process. We had been using a Galaxy Tab 10.1, but as that's no longer available in the US we're evaluating the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, running 4.03. We ship the tablet pre-installed with our app, and the app is carefully tested with the version of Android software running on the tablet.

As I was setting up one of the new tablets the setup wizard put up a message saying "You agree that your tablet may receive and install updates from Google" It wasn't asking me, it was telling me; there was no place to say "no" or disagree. Auto update is DISabled in settings.

How can I programmatically prevent a force-feed update to the tablet? Our users are connected to a local area net because the tablets are used to control other industrial products, but there is never any need to connect to the web beyond the factory walls, but we have no way to enforce that on our customers. The risk is that Google could force a change onto the tablet that might break our app.

Thanks in advance.

Upvotes: 3

Views: 2659

Answers (2)

CommonsWare
CommonsWare

Reputation: 1007321

How can I programmatically prevent a force-feed update to the tablet?

Build your own firmware and use that rather than the stock firmware.

The risk is that Google could force a change onto the tablet that might break our app.

The risk of blocking the firmware updates is that Samsung (not Google) could deliver an update to the tablet that fixes flaws in the firmware that your customers would appreciate (e.g., better WiFi connectivity).

Please understand that the devices that you are using are consumer devices. Such devices are not intended for use "to control an industrial process". The expectation is that if you are using Android in such settings, that you would source your own device and have control over your firmware. Alas, there is not a whole lot of support for that at the moment, something I blogged about recently.

Upvotes: 4

Jack Satriano
Jack Satriano

Reputation: 2029

As long as you target your desired API, an update to the system should not break any functionality of your app. To answer your question, you cannot programatically disable automatic updates, it is a user function.

Check this link as well: Programatically enable/disable market auto-update

Upvotes: 2

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