Android Question I just finished a simple app and need to publish it

[Stephen A Wolfe]

I found everything I need to publish my app to Google Play, but am also interested in publishing this to my asp website. Will this work under the Windows web platform? I uploaded the .apk to my site then tried navigating to it using my Android, but it keeps telling me the file isn't found even though it's there. Is it only possible to install apps through the B4A app and through Google Play?

Thanks.

 

[Stephen A Wolfe]

View attachment 72262 Have you set up your MIME settings in IIS to download this type of file
View attachment 72262

It's apparently not possible to get to this for my grid hosting. I've clicked every possible link. Nothing comes up about MINE or IIS.

 

[f0raster0]

I use godaddy, and yes I can download the .apk file direct to my phone using a simple link

edit: can you copy here an example of that you are doing or how your link looks like..

 

[Stephen A Wolfe]

I use godaddy, and yes I can download the .apk file direct to my phone using a simple link

edit: can you copy here an example of that you are doing or how your link looks like..

Do you have grid hosting and "Plesk"

OK, here's my code (mildly edited for privacy reasons)

        <p class="auto-style12">
        <asp:HyperLink ID="HyperLink2" runat="server" NavigateUrl="~/FILES/text.txt">TEXT FILE</asp:HyperLink>
        </p>
        <p class="auto-style12">
        <asp:HyperLink ID="HyperLink3" runat="server" NavigateUrl="~/FILES/MyFile.apk">.apk FILE</asp:HyperLink>
        </p>

Still get the same message:
Not Found
The requested document was not found on this server.


Web Server at Awebsite.org

Here's what's super weird: The website "Awebsite" is another website I host for another purpose. The file gets uploaded into the correct path, but for some odd reason that their techs don't understand is why it's looking for the file in a completely different site I host. To test this, I'll put the .apk file into the "Awebsite/FILES folder and post what happens here...

I put the file in both the root folder of that other site and in the FILES folder. Same thing. I also tested it using my phone. Same result. I talked to several techs at GD, they examined my code, and are totally baffled why it isn't working. The issue remains unresolved. I tried to locate IIS or MIME settings. Can't find either.

 

[f0raster0]

Did you really try it?

A simple link like Https://mywebsite.com/superapp/superapp.apk will do. The folder must be accessible. Try it with a pdf document for a check. Same thing.

upload your .apk in a folder called superapp,

go to your browser and write the link https://mywebsite.com/superapp/MyFile.apk

it will download the app just after it works you should continue...

 

[Stephen A Wolfe]

The mystery deepens. I put the apk file into a zip folder and now the link works fine. I was able to easily install the app on my phone by downloading the zip, extracting the file, altering my security settings to allow "unknown" apps to be installed in that way, then installed it. It is very clear to me that something with GD has been changed in such a way to not allow .apk files to be downloaded. I can download .exe files with no issues. The tech at GD also couldn't download the file, but confirmed it was in the folder where it "should" have been looking. So this issue is absolutely something to do with GD, and again, their techs are unable to resolve it.

 

[f0raster0]

yes, support from godaddy is yes, bad when asking for tech support..

I use godaddy, no (Edit: yes, doesn't work) problem downloading my example.apk
the link that I use is the same:
https://mywebsite.com/superapp/example.apk

ahh one thing, maybe can help..
can you put the file in the same place where index.html or index.php are?

or try to create a subdomain and put your MyFile.apk in the same place where index.html or index.php are
https://mywebsite.com/MyFile.apk

 

[Stephen A Wolfe]

yes, support from godaddy is yes, bad when asking for tech support..

I use godaddy, not problem downloading my example.apk
the link that I use is the same:
https://mywebsite.com/superapp/example.apk

ahh one thing, maybe can help..
can you put the file in the same place where index.html or index.php are?

or try to create a subdomain and put your MyFile.apk in the same place where index.html or index.php are
https://mywebsite.com/MyFile.apk

I just did that, checked the link, and same thing. Not found.

The web address is: http://MySite.com/FILES/MyFile.apk

 

[f0raster0]

can you try to use: http://MySite.com/MyFile.apk ?
just to see if this way it works

 

[Stephen A Wolfe]

can you try to use: http://MySite.com/MyFile.apk ?
just to see if this way it works

Just tried it. No dice. For some yet unknown reason, the server refuses to allow the download of .apk files, but every other file types works without issues. Oddly though, there's no issue at all uploading those files.

 

[f0raster0]

I did a couple tests just now..
using: http://MySite.com/FILES/MyFile.apk doesn't work
error:

Not Found
The requested URL /MyFile/MyFile.apk was not found on this server.

using: http://MySite.com/MyFile.apk It works

My resume:
If using godaddy then keep example.apk together with the index.html or index.php files of your website

 

[KMatle]

Name it xxx.APK (capital letters) and give it a try

 

[f0raster0]

Name it xxx.APK (capital letters) and give it a try

you're a genius @KMatle it works @Stephen A Wolfe, tested in godaddy http://MySite.com/FILES/example.APK

 

[Stephen A Wolfe]

Name it xxx.APK (capital letters) and give it a try

Tried that, didn't work.

I know this is a shot in the dark, but I have a large number of .exe files at the same location, including the same name as the .apk file. I'll change it to not match an .exe that has the same name. Nope. Didn't work either. I will call GD again to follow the comment posted by GeoffT660 to see if that applies to my hosting. The fact it is possible to make those types of changes, maybe something was changed for some reason.

 

[Stephen A Wolfe]

I see I already set the MIME. Here is my complete configuration:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<configuration>

  <system.web>
    <trust level="Full" originUrl=""/>
    <customErrors mode="Off"/>
    <compilation debug="true" targetFramework="4.5.2" />
    <httpRuntime targetFramework="4.5.2" />
    <pages enableSessionState="true" />
    <machineKey validationKey="LongEncrytionKey" decryptionKey="LongDecrytionKey" validation="SHA1"/>

    <sessionState
        mode="InProc"
        cookieless="UseCookies"
        cookieName="My.Site.Com"
        timeout="480"/>
  </system.web>
 
<system.webServer>
   <staticContent>
     <mimeMap fileExtension="apk" mimeType="application/vnd.android.package-archive" />
   </staticContent>
</system.webServer>
 
  <system.net>
    <mailSettings>
      <smtp from="myemailaddress@gmail.com">
        <network host="relay-hosting.secureserver.net" port="25" />
      </smtp>
    </mailSettings>
  </system.net>
 
  <appSettings>
    <add key="ValidationSettings:UnobtrusiveValidationMode" value="None" />
  </appSettings>

</configuration>

Is there maybe something in there that's wrong and giving this issue?