Mobile app install for a fixed time

Question

I don't know is it possible or not. I want to know how it is possible that user can install my app (android , iPhone, phonegap based) for a fixed time , may be 1 month. After 1 month, user will be unable to run the app. Then if he uninstall and try to install again for next 1 month, it would prevent him to install.

Is it possible or not? if possible how?

-Arefin

score 3 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:12

3

There's no 100% secure way to do what you want, but you could do something like this:

Get a unique identifier for device where app is installed. There's NOT perfect way to get this identifier, but here are some options: Is there a unique Android device ID?
Make your app connect to your server and register that identifier
Your server can return whether or not your app was already installed there, so app can act accordingly.

A side effect would be that your app could not run without Internet connection, to prevent users from disconnecting from Internet to avoid this control.

edited May 23 '17 at 12:12

Community

1
1

answered Sep 11 '12 at 15:46

Jorge Cevallos

3,667
3
25
37

thnaks jorge, I have seen the link already to get an unique id of the device. As I am new at mobile platform, do you think this idea is applied on apps available or rare? – Ahmad Naqibul Arefin Sep 11 '12 at 15:57
1

I don't think this solution is common at all. Why do you need this restriction? if I may ask. – Jorge Cevallos Sep 11 '12 at 16:00
client wants that user will buy paid version after using 1 month free version. After 1 month, he will be unable to use and if he try to reinstall then he would not be able to do that. – Ahmad Naqibul Arefin Sep 11 '12 at 16:05
to achieve this kind of requirements what is the best solution? – Ahmad Naqibul Arefin Sep 11 '12 at 16:07
I think Google's licensing service would be best option: http://developer.android.com/guide/google/play/licensing/index.html – Jorge Cevallos Sep 11 '12 at 18:24

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 11 '12 at 19:15

0

You can also specify the validity option in when you're creating the keytool. The keytool is used when exporting the .apk file of an application.

Or

You could save the install date of application in Shared Preferences- that's when the app is being installed for the first time. Then check the number of days from current date and saved date, every time the app is started and allow access only if its within limits.

Removes the problem of Internet access.

answered Sep 11 '12 at 19:15

Shivam Verma

7,973
3
26
34

First option would prevent all users from using the app after certificate expired, even users who purchased the app. Second option would not work if user deletes app data or if he uninstalls/reinstalls the app. – Jorge Cevallos Sep 11 '12 at 20:19

Mobile app install for a fixed time

2 Answers2