The goal is to update my app without using the google play store. I’m trying to download a .apk file from a server and then install it programmatically. I’m currently getting an error that the download is unsuccessful and that there was an error while parsing the package. I have the READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE and WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permissions requested at runtime. I had to go into the tablet's settings to give permission to “Install unknown apps”. I cannot get REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES to be requested at runtime.
If I change the fileName and update URL to get a .txt that I store in the same folder on the server as the .apk AND comment out “.setMimeType()” I can download and view a .txt file.
Here are some code snippets to help
gradle:app
android {
compileSdk 31
buildToolsVersion "30.0.3"
defaultConfig {
applicationId "farrpro.project"
minSdk 28
targetSdk 30
}
AndroidManifest.xml
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACTION_INSTALL_PACKAGE"/>
MainActivity.java
private void hasInstallPermission() { // runs in onCreate()
if (getApplicationContext().checkSelfPermission(Manifest.permission.REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
requestPermissions(new String[]{Manifest.permission.REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES}, 1);
}
}
void downloadAndInstallUpdate(){ // runs when users accepts request to download update
String fileName = "update.apk";
// example of update’s string
update = “https://myserver.net/update.apk”;
//set download manager
DownloadManager.Request request = new DownloadManager.Request(Uri.parse(update));
request.setTitle(fileName)
.setNotificationVisibility(DownloadManager.Request.VISIBILITY_VISIBLE_NOTIFY_COMPLETED)
.setDescription("Downloading")
//.setAllowedNetworkTypes(DownloadManager.Request.NETWORK_WIFI | DownloadManager.Request.NETWORK_MOBILE)
.setDestinationInExternalPublicDir(Environment.DIRECTORY_DOWNLOADS, fileName)
.setMimeType("application/vnd.android.package-archive");
// get download service and enqueue file
final DownloadManager manager = (DownloadManager) getSystemService(Context.DOWNLOAD_SERVICE);
final long downloadId = manager.enqueue(request);
System.out.println("Max Bytes: "+DownloadManager.getMaxBytesOverMobile(this)); //returns null
//set BroadcastReceiver to install app when .apk is downloaded
BroadcastReceiver onComplete = new BroadcastReceiver() {
public void onReceive(Context ctxt, Intent intent) {
System.out.println("Is download successful: "+ manager.getUriForDownloadedFile(downloadId)); //returns null
System.out.println("Mime: "+manager.getMimeTypeForDownloadedFile(downloadId)); //returns application/vnd.android.package-archive
Intent install = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
File file = new File(ctxt.getExternalFilesDir(null) + fileName);
Uri downloadedApk = FileProvider.getUriForFile(ctxt, "farrpro.project.provider", file);
install.setDataAndType(downloadedApk,
manager.getMimeTypeForDownloadedFile(downloadId));
install.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_TOP)
.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK)
.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION);
try {
startActivity(install);
} catch (ActivityNotFoundException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
Log.e("TAG", "Error in opening the file!");// this never prints
}
unregisterReceiver(this);
finish();
}
};
//register receiver for when .apk download is complete
registerReceiver(onComplete, new IntentFilter(DownloadManager.ACTION_DOWNLOAD_COMPLETE));
}
The problem was the server had restricted download types. My code worked more or less after that setting was changed. I ended up needing to change the intents in my broadcast receiver so that after the download was completed the new .apk would immediately install. Here are the changes I made to make the code posted work.
final long downloadId = manager.enqueue(request);
BroadcastReceiver onComplete = new BroadcastReceiver() {
public void onReceive(Context ctxt, Intent intent1) {
Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
intent.setDataAndType(manager.getUriForDownloadedFile(downloadId), "application/vnd.android.package-archive");
intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION);
try {
getApplicationContext().startActivity(intent);
} catch (ActivityNotFoundException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
Log.e("TAG", "Error in opening the file!");
}
unregisterReceiver(this);
finish();
}
};