CODEWITHSUNDEEP
androidinstallationapk
Brett Allen
Brett Allen

Reputation: 5507

Easily install Android Application from computer?

A client is releasing a product (employee training/guide), and have contracted us to create a companion application for the Android OS.

Being a global entity that routinely has employees in areas without network access, they are releasing their product via CD.

They would like the ability for their users to optionally install this companion application to their personal Android devices (their own cell phones/tablets etc).

Since some will be in areas without network/internet access, they would really like the ability for an installer to be on this CD to install the Android application.

I am somewhat familiar with being able to install applications onto Android using ADB, but was under the impression this would require root.

Is there a method by which an application could be installed from a computer, in such a way that a non-tech savvy user could use it (IE classic installer application, just different target).

Don't want to be asking these people to root their devices, install ADB and so forth.

Upvotes: 1

Views: 1529

Answers (3)

Diego Torres Milano
Diego Torres Milano

Reputation: 69318

Well, there is still another option that nobody mentioned, which does not involve dealing with USB drivers. BTW, this is only a Windows problem, in most Linux distros ADB works out-of-the-box. This option is through WiFi:

  1. configure Tethering & portable hotspot
  2. connect the computer to the hotspot
  3. start some kind of web server on the computer (apache will do, probably microapache could be of help if using Windows)
  4. on the phone open the URL containing the APK (the IP was given by the hotspot)
  5. download
  6. install
  7. Voila !

Upvotes: 0

Ollie C
Ollie C

Reputation: 28519

I think the ADB route is asking for trouble as you're reliant on the right drivers being present on the machine. Sometimes it'll work fine, sometimes it won't.

You could potentially provide the APK on an SD card for the phone, but there's no consistent app to use to open the APK from the phone, so that's unlikely to be any better.

Surely if they are using phones they do SOMETIMES have network access? I suspect you're going to struggle to find a nice solution, and although not ideal maybe better to just require that users install the app when they do get a connection?

Going down that route, you could provide the APK via email, a web link, Android Market, or any alternative market.

Do remember that the cost of a solution isn't just building it, but the support too. My sense is when you're looking at the possibility you might have to help users install the right driver, you need to look for a better solution as that's the road to hell.

Upvotes: 3

CommonsWare
CommonsWare

Reputation: 1007296

I am somewhat familiar with being able to install applications onto Android using ADB, but was under the impression this would require root.

No.

Is there a method by which an application could be installed from a computer, in such a way that a non-tech savvy user could use it (IE classic installer application, just different target).

There is the Sideload Wonder Machine, but I haven't tried it, and it is Windows-specific. It also would still require adb-compatible drivers, which the user may or may not have installed on their Windows machine.

Otherwise, there are no network-less options at this time that I am aware of.

Upvotes: 2

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