Android Question Problem with update APK with FileProvider

[Matteo Giorgini]

Hi Guys!
For update my APP, I decided to use an FTP.
Now... before old Android version I launched an intent and all worked.
Today I update my code and I added "FileProvider" taken from [https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/version-safe-apk-installation.87667/#content]

Naturally, I have updated my project:
- Javac.exe: 11.0.1
- android.jar: 28
- Android's version on device: 10

I modified Manifest (like sample InstallAPK) and now is:

AddManifestText(
<uses-sdk android:minSdkVersion="5" android:targetSdkVersion="26"/>
<supports-screens android:largeScreens="true" 
    android:normalScreens="true" 
    android:smallScreens="true" 
    android:anyDensity="true"/>)
SetApplicationAttribute(android:icon, "@drawable/icon")
SetApplicationAttribute(android:label, "$LABEL$")
CreateResourceFromFile(Macro, Themes.DarkTheme)
AddPermission(android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE)
AddPermission(android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE)
AddPermission(android.permission.WRITE_MEDIA_STORAGE)
AddPermission(android.permission.READ_MEDIA_STORAGE)
'End of default text.

AddManifestText(<uses-permission
    android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"
    android:maxSdkVersion="18" />
)
AddApplicationText(
  <provider
  android:name="android.support.v4.content.FileProvider"
  android:authorities="$PACKAGE$.provider"
  android:exported="false"
  android:grantUriPermissions="true">
  <meta-data
  android:name="android.support.FILE_PROVIDER_PATHS"
  android:resource="@xml/provider_paths"/>
  </provider>
)
'CreateResource(xml, provider_paths,
'   <external-files-path name="name" path="shared" />
')
'AddPermission(android.permission.REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES)

CreateResource(xml, provider_paths,
   <files-path name="name" path="shared" />
)
AddPermission(android.permission.REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES)

I created Starter service, for create FileProvider.
First time that launch update, Android ask me to set unknown source for update: I setted it.

When update starts, I receive a starnge message: "Error while parsing the package."
APK not was installed.
If I open manually "shared" folder and tap on APK, setup starts and end without problems.


"My" SendInstallaIntent procedure is:

Private Sub SendInstallIntent
    Dim ApkName As String = "StoreMobile.apk"
    'File APK was copied in this path from download's flow => File.copy(File.DirAssets, ApkName, Starter.Provider.SharedFolder, ApkName)
    Dim i As Intent
    Dim uri As String = ""
    If phone.SdkVersion >= 24 Then
        uri = Starter.Provider.GetFileUri(ApkName)
        Log(uri)
        i.Initialize("android.intent.action.INSTALL_PACKAGE", uri )
        i.Flags = Bit.Or(i.Flags, 1) 'FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION
    Else
        i.Initialize(i.ACTION_VIEW, "file://" & File.Combine(Starter.Provider.SharedFolder, ApkName))
        i.SetType("application/vnd.android.package-archive")
    End If
    StartActivity(i)
End Sub

Intent was initialized with this uri:

 content://net.commercod.storemobile.provider/name/StoreMobile.apk

If I exec InstallAPK sample on same device works all.

Do you have any idea? Can you help me?

Thanks in advance,
Matteo

 

[JohnC]

I had the same problem, but I forgot what ended up fixing the issue.

I tried to do a quick compare between your code and mine, and one thing that stands out is that after I call the "SendInstallintent", I close the activity:

Sub Ftp_OK
    
    SendInstallIntent(ApkDirectory, APKFileName)

    Activity.Finish

End Sub

So see if closing the activity will fix this.

 

[Alex_197]

I might be mistaken but read on this forum about permissions to install APK from your App.
https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/version-safe-apk-installation.87667/#content

 

[Matteo Giorgini]

I might be mistaken but read on this forum about permissions to install APK from your App.
https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/version-safe-apk-installation.87667/#content

For develop this feature, I started rigth from this thread... Thanks for your suggest...

 

[Matteo Giorgini]

I had the same problem, but I forgot what ended up fixing the issue.

I tried to do a quick compare between your code and mine, and one thing that stands out is that after I call the "SendInstallintent", I close the activity:

Sub Ftp_OK
   
    SendInstallIntent(ApkDirectory, APKFileName)

    Activity.Finish

End Sub

So see if closing the activity will fix this.

I try now event without download from ftp...

 

[Matteo Giorgini]

I try now event without download from ftp...

Not works for me; thanks for suggest...

 

[JohnC]

Try adding a prompt, after the FTP completes, but before calling the StartInstallIntent:

   MsgboxAsync("Click OK to start the install","Download Complete")
   Wait For MsgBox_Result (Result As Int)
  
   SendInstallIntent(ApkDirectory, APKFileName)

 

[DonManfred]

FILE Uris are no longer allowed.
android.jar / targetSdkVersion / minSdkVersion

See this Tutorial

Version safe APK installation

As explained in this tutorial all store apps will soon be forced to target the latest SDK. This means that we can no longer rely on the OS backwards compatibility features and need to handle the behavior changes ourselves. Starting from Android 8 (API 26) each app needs to explicitly request a...

www.b4x.com

 

[Matteo Giorgini]

FILE Uris are no longer allowed.
android.jar / targetSdkVersion / minSdkVersion

See this Tutorial

Version safe APK installation

As explained in this tutorial all store apps will soon be forced to target the latest SDK. This means that we can no longer rely on the OS backwards compatibility features and need to handle the behavior changes ourselves. Starting from Android 8 (API 26) each app needs to explicitly request a...

www.b4x.com

Thanks DonManfred for your time, but I don't understand why InstallAPK sample works with same version on B4A, same device and... same Manifest.
I need to solve this problem, because I can't update apps. I will read another time all specifications but I think than I need an help...

 

[Matteo Giorgini]

A little update...
I checked all suggest link and I try this.
I compile in release mode my APP and add it into InstallAPK project.
Install InstallAPK on device with Android 10.
I tap on "install": permission are request, I check "unknown source" and my APP was installed correctly.

targetSdkVersion of InstallAPK and my APP are the same, like android SDK (28).

Why from my APP I continue to have problems?

Where are I wrong?

Thanks in advance...
Matteo

 

[JohnC]

You might need to slowly start adding in your code to the example (that works), and test after each update to make sure it still runs.

At some point it should fail, and then figure out why the latest update caused the failure.

 

[Matteo Giorgini]

You might need to slowly start adding in your code to the example (that works), and test after each update to make sure it still runs.

At some point it should fail, and then figure out why the latest update caused the failure.

Solved! I rewrited code and found error.
Now I've another problem with PERMISSION READ_PHONE_STATE, but I will open a new thread... Thanks!

 

[JohnC]

Well, what was the fix?

(so it might help others that run into this problem)

 

[Matteo Giorgini]

Hi JohnC!
There was a bug on my APP, my code.
It's not related with samples or others thread.

Thanks and sorry for my delay...