CODEWITHSUNDEEP
androidapkauto-update
simplyTom
simplyTom

Reputation: 54

Implementing a small updater for own android application?

A company asked me if I am able to program an Android-App for their internal process but with small mobile-device-management capabilites. I'm aware of the "enable manual apk-installation"-checkbox inside of the Android-Settings-Menu. I think it opens additional security holes if it is permanently checked.

So easiset way is to send a SMS with an URL to this APK, enable checkbox, install the update and disable checkbox manually. A lot to do, to update a program.

Coming from Windows Mobile and Symbian I was able to program a Facade.exe which starts a download and replaces some signed parts. The Application signing of Windows Mobile and Symbian allows this.

Is this possible with Android(not rooted)? I read some articles that it is possible to implement own Markets(like Amazon is doing it). Is it possible to use some of those APIs for the purpose of doing an auto-update. Where are thoes APIs, I am not able to find them.

Is this a solution: Programming a torch-app(there are thousands around), publishing it to the android market. But with a small button to activate the whole application with a secret password. Updates can be rolled out via android market functionality.

A complete MDM (mobile device management) is overkill.

Upvotes: 2

Views: 1129

Answers (1)

CommonsWare
CommonsWare

Reputation: 1006724

Is this possible with Android(not rooted)?

Not readily. You can use the techniques used by the Sideload Wonder Machine, extracting the requisite bits out of the SDK to do sideloads via USB. However:

  1. Your Facade.exe implies the user runs Windows.

  2. This implies that the user has the adb drivers for their device for Windows.

Neither of those are guaranteed.

I read some articles that it is possible to implement own Markets(like Amazon is doing it). Is it possible to use some of those APIs for the purpose of doing an auto-update.

You can download whatever you want, such as an APK. You can tell Android to VIEW whatever you want, such as your APK. If you VIEW an APK (and have the right MIME type in your Intent), that will trigger an install or update. The user will be prompted about the install or update -- on an install, for example, it will give them the screen listing all the requested permissions.

Upvotes: 1

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