Simplifying APK Update Process in MAUI App

Question

I am looking for ways to simplify the update process for a private app

Currently, I can download the APK of the new version from a database. However, once the APK is downloaded, I'm unsure how to use code to perform the update.

It is not on the store.

Answer 1

Hello,

Firstly, you can store your APK in the Cache directory.

And then you can try to the following steps to install the apk:

1.Add the provider in the <Application> tag of AndroidManifest.xml, such as:

<provider

android:name="androidx.core.content.FileProvider"

android:authorities="${applicationId}.provider"

android:exported="false"

android:grantUriPermissions="true">

     <meta-data

         android:name="android.support.FILE_PROVIDER_PATHS"                            

          android:resource="@xml/provider_paths" />

</provider>

2.Add the following code to request the permission about installing app.

 <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES" />

 <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INSTALL_PACKAGES" />

3.Create the provider_paths.xml in the folder named xml below the values folder in the android part.

<paths >

<external-path

    name="external_files"

    path="." />

</paths>

4.Use the following code to install the apk:

         var path = Path.Combine(FileSystem.Current.CacheDirectory, "your apk package name");
        File file = new File(path);
        Intent intent= new Intent(Intent.ActionView);
        Android.Net.Uri myURI = FileProvider.GetUriForFile(this, this.ApplicationContext.PackageName + ".provider", file);
        intent.SetDataAndType(myURI, "application/vnd.android.package-archive");
        intent.AddFlags(ActivityFlags.NewTask);
        intent.AddFlags(ActivityFlags.GrantReadUriPermission);
        StartActivity(intent);

By the way, you can use Conditional compilation to wrap above android platform code in MAUI.

 Best Regards,

Leon Lu

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