Can't update app in store because of target api23 (no downgrade possible)

Question

long story short:

I have an app in the store, uploaded with target(!) api23
Now I have to use the metaio SDK (Augmented reality) to implement a feature
this SDK is not maintained anymore (company got bought & closed by apple)
metaio SDK crashes when using a target api23
- ...because of text relocations in the ffmpeg lib, in libavcodec.so, see also:
- libavcodec.so: has text relocations
- http://rg4.net/archives/1973.html
- https://github.com/wseemann/FFmpegMediaPlayer/issues/64

Problem:

apps uploaded with target api23 once, can't be updated with lower target api
metaio can't handle api23, due to a text relocations bug

Idea so far:

replace the old libavcodec.so (arm & x86) by a newer version, but I can't find any compiled version...

PS: sure it's dump to use a deprecated sdk and it has to be replaced sometime in the future, but for now I have to use it, as there's a huge content and backend part that is used in the project.

PPS: worst case idea is to upload the same app but with a different ID, api22 and AR features in the GooglePlay...and having two nearly identical apps... <_<

Thanks a lot for every help! :)

As you mentioned, have you tried recompiling FFmpeg and dropping in the updated binaries with the disable-asm flag? — William Seemann, May 24 '16 at 18:26

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered May 04 '16 at 13:14

2

Short Term Solution

Wrap every call to the library with if(Build.VERSION.SDK_INT < Build.VERSION_CODES.M). This will disable all functionality that relies on the library. You should probably notify the user of an API 23 device in this case.

Long Term Solution

Find a replacement. If you have a no longer maintained dependency which is already incompatible with current versions, it will only get worse.

answered May 04 '16 at 13:14

F43nd1r

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I already had the same thought =/ ... But in this case my users with 6.x can't use the AR features... and sure... replacing it in the long term is a must... =/ – Thkru May 04 '16 at 13:26

score -1 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:31

-1

You can publish the old version of your application with an updated version code. https://stackoverflow.com/a/19164218/3789575

edited May 23 '17 at 12:31

Community

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answered May 04 '16 at 13:22

ilyamuromets

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even the first version of the app has api23, so I can't use an older version. Uploading a new APK always forces me to have a higher versionCode and at least the same target-api. – Thkru May 04 '16 at 13:30
what do u want to tell me? Setting to target api23 lets the sdk crash, as said. Setting the target to api22 results in being unable to update the app... – Thkru May 04 '16 at 17:29
I gave a link, which describes why it's impossible to downgrade targetSdkVersion. – ilyamuromets May 05 '16 at 08:03
I know the reasons, but unfortunately I need a solution in some way... maybe patching the .so files or sth... – Thkru May 06 '16 at 13:13

Can't update app in store because of target api23 (no downgrade possible)

2 Answers2

Short Term Solution

Long Term Solution