How do I programmatically update apk silently and restart the app?

Question

I have tried many ways given in StackOverFlow and other website but it doesn't really work.

My issue is that I have this application that I need to update and after updating, it should automatically turn the same application (updated) back on.

This is my code:

private synchronized void runRootUpdate() {    
    // Install Updated APK
    String command = "pm install -r " + downloadPath + apkFile;
    Process proc = Runtime.getRuntime().exec(new String[] {"su", "-c", command});
    int test = proc.waitFor(); // Error is here.

    if (proc.exitValue() == 0) {
        // Successfully installed updated app
        doRestart()
    } else {
        // Fail
        throw new Exception("Root installation failed");
    }
}

private void doRestart() {
    Intent mStartActivity = new Intent(context, MainActivity.class);
    int mPendingIntentId = 123456;
    PendingIntent mPendingIntent = PendingIntent.getActivity(context, mPendingIntentId, mStartActivity, PendingIntent.FLAG_CANCEL_CURRENT);
    AlarmManager mgr = (AlarmManager)context.getSystemService(Context.ALARM_SERVICE);
    mgr.set(AlarmManager.RTC, System.currentTimeMillis() + 100, mPendingIntent);
    System.exit(0);
}

Take a look at my "Error is here." My old app will installed a new updated app and kill itself, thus there is no proc.waitFor() and end up back in the home screen BUT the new updated app is being installed. However, I need it to turn it back on itself. Is there any way I could do that?

how you are planning to update it ? is it on when your application is running inn foreground ? — Jitesh Mohite, Mar 10 '17 at 09:20
See this topic : https://stackoverflow.com/questions/32473158/packageinstaller-silent-install-and-uninstall-of-apps-by-device-owner-androi — woprandi, Apr 09 '18 at 15:07

score 7 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 13 '17 at 04:18

7

Rather than setting an alarm, have a Manifest registered BroadcastReceiver specifically for this purpose. It can either listen to android.intent.action.PACKAGE_REPLACED (note: the word action is missing from this constant) or to android.intent.action.MY_PACKAGE_REPLACED

<receiver android:name="...">
    <intent-filter>
        <action android:name="android.intent.action.PACKAGE_REPLACED"></action>
        <data android:scheme="package" android:path="com.your.package" /> 
    </intent-filter>
</receiver>

After reinstall your receiver will get this message and you'll be able to start an Activity

answered Mar 13 '17 at 04:18

Nick Cardoso

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Don't know why this answer is so upwoted as the broadcast receiver never got the intent for me. – Roman Samoilenko Mar 15 '17 at 16:55
For a receiver registered in the Manifest - not a programmatic one on an activity? – Nick Cardoso Mar 15 '17 at 17:10
Yes, registered it in the Manifest. – Roman Samoilenko Mar 15 '17 at 20:59

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 09 '17 at 13:22

0

Updating an application involve killing all its processes. You should set the alarm before launching the pm command (with more than a 100 ms delay)

answered Mar 09 '17 at 13:22

bwt

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Jitesh Mohite · Answer 3 · 2017-03-14T07:51:21.773

First of all you need to know where to store your .apk file because that is important while upgrading the application.

To upgrade and launch application silently you need to follow following steps.

Ensure that you have latest .apk file in your sdcard while upgrading your application.If it is having then launch it via intent like below for upgrade

File file = new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory(), "app-debug.apk"); // mention apk file path here
                if (file.exists()) {
                    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
                    intent.setDataAndType(Uri.fromFile(file), "application/vnd.android.package-archive");
                    startActivity(intent);
                } else {
                    Toast.makeText(UpdateActivity.this, "file not exist", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
                }

Above code will upgrade your application with default behavior of android.

Create a broadcast receiver which will know when upgrade is performed

    <receiver android:name=".receiver.OnUpgradeReceiver">
                <intent-filter>
// Note: This intent can is available starting from API 12
                    <action android:name="android.intent.action.MY_PACKAGE_REPLACED" />
                </intent-filter>
            </receiver>

if you are using api > 12 use

<action android:name="android.intent.action.MY_PACKAGE_REPLACED" />
                    </intent-filter>

if you are having api <= 12 use

  <action android:name="android.intent.action.PACKAGE_REPLACED" />
    <data android:scheme="package" android:path="your.app.package" />

Create a broadcast receiver for getting broadcast after update and launch activity which you want

Example :

public class OnUpgradeReceiver extends BroadcastReceiver {

    @Override
    public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
       // launch your fav activity from here.
    }
}

Above broadcast receiver helps you to launch application silently.

Hope these help you.

Thanks for your answer. But the app should update itself silently, without prompt. — Roman Samoilenko, Mar 12 '17 at 17:23
then their should not be any way because it's android default behavior. — Jitesh Mohite, Mar 13 '17 at 04:24
In my case, it throws an error saying package already exists. — GvSharma, Mar 29 '18 at 11:58

score 0 · Answer 4 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:09

0

Hmm... Why to use this hard metod, when you are using root installation? Why not to try creating simple shell script to update app? Then you don´t must set alarm and doing other things:

Script (How to pass arguments, How to start app from terminal):

am kill com.myapp.package
pm install -r $1
am start -n packageName/pkgName.ActivityName

App code:

String command = "sh script.sh " + downloadPath + apkFile;
Process proc = Runtime.getRuntime().exec(new String[] {"su", "-c", command});

edited May 23 '17 at 12:09

Community

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answered Mar 15 '17 at 13:16

Samuel Tulach

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What's the meaning of `"sh script.sh"`, is it the path to the script? Can it be created as a file to be read later? – Roman Samoilenko Mar 15 '17 at 15:45
sh is shell command for executing scripts script.sh is patch to script and yes you can create it as file. – Samuel Tulach Mar 15 '17 at 15:47
This is it. Thank you! – Roman Samoilenko Mar 15 '17 at 16:54
Not working. Although the Runtime.getRuntime.exec returns 0. – eC Droid Dec 20 '19 at 06:40
Also if you can have a look at this https://stackoverflow.com/questions/59420253/android-silently-updating-apk-and-then-restart-the-app – eC Droid Dec 20 '19 at 06:48

score 0 · Answer 5 · answered Sep 30 '19 at 13:59

0

use this Play Core Library In-app updates to achieve this

dependencies {
implementation 'com.google.android.play:core:1.5.0'
...}

answered Sep 30 '19 at 13:59

Amin Pinjari

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This will not "silently" update apk, it needs a user interaction – Itai Spector Nov 10 '19 at 10:10

How do I programmatically update apk silently and restart the app?

5 Answers5