How to Upgrade APK with Install Intent

Question

I need to upgrade an APK that is distributed outside of Play Store. I was able to download the new APK and launched the install with this intent

    private void startInstall(File appApkFile) {
    if (appApkFile.exists()) {
        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.N) {
            Uri apkUri = FileProvider.getUriForFile(activity, BuildConfig.APPLICATION_ID + ".provider", appApkFile);
            Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_INSTALL_PACKAGE);
            intent.setData(apkUri);
            intent.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION);
            intent.setDataAndType(apkUri, "application/vnd.android.package-archive");

            PackageManager packageManager = getPackageManager();
            if (intent.resolveActivity(packageManager) != null) {
                startActivity(intent);
            }
        } else {
            Uri apkUri = Uri.fromFile(appApkFile);
            Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
            intent.setDataAndType(apkUri, "application/vnd.android.package-archive");
            intent.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);

            PackageManager packageManager = getPackageManager();
            if (intent.resolveActivity(packageManager) != null) {
                startActivity(intent);
            }
        }
    } 
}

The install launches however because the app already exists on the device the install fails with the error message that "the package conflicts with an existing package by the same name"

Would anyone know how to pass the upgrade flag to the Install Intent action?

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/19959890/android-app-not-install-an-existing-package-by-the-same-name-with-a-conflicting — Randyka Yudhistira, Oct 17 '18 at 03:50
make sure it is signed with same keystore as the original app. Also probably it has to increase version_code. — Vladyslav Matviienko, Oct 17 '18 at 04:50
@VladyslavMatviienko has answered your question correctly. You need to upgrade version number and sign using the same keystore. — Mohit Ajwani, Oct 17 '18 at 04:55

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Oct 17 '18 at 05:35

1

please use signed apk file in both debug and release version

answered Oct 17 '18 at 05:35

Bholendra Singh

980
7
14

that was the issue. Thanks – Val Okafor Oct 17 '18 at 06:02

How to Upgrade APK with Install Intent

1 Answers1