Android Question How does Google Play update apps

[walterf25]

Hello Erel, and everyone else, i was wondering if anyone knows the process of how google play automatically updates an application, I'm looking for the best way to auto update an application without any user interaction, this app will be installed on an android stick, (Dongle) unfortunately the dongle will not be connected to a monitor or TV which makes it difficult for the user to know when there's an update on the app.

Since the only way to silently push an application and update it, is if the device is rooted, unfortunately this is not an option for my client since the device will record patient's personal information.

The best way we figured to go about this is by uploading the app to Google Play and have it update automatically when a new version is uploaded. My question is this......

If the application is already running and there's an updated version uploaded to google play, will it still get updated even if the app is running, if it does is there any action that needs to be done like rebooting the device to re-start the updated version or will it automatically re-start.
Do I need to Re-boot the device in order for the application to even recognize that there is a new version in google play?

If anyone has any input on this please reply to this post, or if you guys have a better way of solving this issue please also let me know, I'd like to hear your thought or ideas.

Thanks,
Walter

 

[sorex]

you can force auto updating in the application setting, if it is on and google play does its "check apps for updated versions" loop it will update the app without any user interaction.

You just see notifications passing by that it is updating it or that it has updated it.

 

[walterf25]

you can force auto updating in the application setting, if it is on and google play does its "check apps for updated versions" loop it will update the app without any user interaction.

You just see notifications passing by that it is updating it or that it has updated it.

I know that Sorex, and the settings are set to update automatically, my question is, will the app update if it's already running? Or do I have to stop the app first?

Thanks,
Walter

 

[sorex]

it seems to behave strange too.

some stuff got updated this morning while other with auto update enable have updates ready but they didn't install.
These were not running so that's not the issue.

So I can't really answer your question as I couldn't force that test.

When I manually forced to update one of them while it was open the app just closed and updated.

 

[udg]

Hi Walter,
have a look at library AppUpdating.
I wrote it to let apps not published on Google's store to auto update. In it there are functions that let your app discovers about a newer version and decide what to do or instead set it for all automatic operation.

Umberto

 

[walterf25]

Hi Walter,
have a look at library AppUpdating.
I wrote it to let apps not published on Google's store to auto update. In it there are functions that let your app discovers about a newer version and decide what to do or instead set it for all automatic operation.

Umberto

Hi Umberto, thanks for your reply, i found your library last night, and is really great, but the user would still have to click the Update button when the application needs to be updated, that's what i'm trying to avoid, the user will have no access to the device so there is no way he or she will know when the application is being updated.

Thanks,
Walter

 

[udg]

Hi Walter,
as you stated, a silent install should be possible only on rooted devices (here I did't understand why you said in post#1 this is not an option due to the kind of recorded data; I mean I' missing the relation rooted device - patient data).
Anyway, those few apps from the store I have on my tablet didn't update themselves without intervention. I see a notice on the notification bar and, if I'm in the right mood, I'm taken to the relevant page of the Play Store where I can ask for the update.
This is somewhat different from what Sorex describes in post #2, so now I have a question:
are there apps the update with no action on user part and others that require a confirmation click somewhere?

Umberto