Overwriting existing apps, a high level business dilemma - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi guys, not sure if this is the right place to do this but i've got a question i hope i can get clarified here with you experts
I am a PM that is in charge of a managing the delivery and development of a business's mobile application. Recently the company is looking to get rid of the incumbent developer due to unprofessional-ism and exorbitant fees. The other technology partner i am directly engaging with is a newly appointed development house and is tasked to clone the app and add additional features the incumbent refuses to add on.
Come launch date, the business requires the new app to replace the old app. To the existing customer base, the goal is to ensure that the transition is as seamless as possible. They are hoping that when existing users open the app, they will be prompted to install an update where the old one is then replaced with the old one. As such, is it possible for the new technology partners to this? What are the necessary steps required? I am trying to ensure that all necessary precautions and dependencies are covered to ensure any potential backlash / fallout. Is it as simple as obtaining the app certificate and ensuring the apk is named exactly the same? Any advice would be helpful.
The worst case scenario here would be to get the users to reinstall the app entirely or treat it as a completely separate app. :crying:

You need the signature keys of your first developer to sign the new APK which needs to have the same package name. And access to the dev console. Then you can upload the new app which will be treated as every other update by Google Play. Without changing the first app you won't be able to force the users to update AFAIK.

Fellhuhn said:
You need the signature keys of your first developer to sign the new APK which needs to have the same package name. And access to the dev console. Then you can upload the new app which will be treated as every other update by Google Play. Without changing the first app you won't be able to force the users to update AFAIK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi thanks for the reply. Much appreciated! Would this be similar for iOS as well?
Relating to the last statement. What do you mean by "without changing the first app.."

androFRUST said:
Hi thanks for the reply. Much appreciated! Would this be similar for iOS as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have enough experience with iOS to comment on that.
Relating to the last statement. What do you mean by "without changing the first app.."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While you can upload a new version of the same app the users would still have to manually (or automatically if their device is configured that way) download it. Google released a "forced update" API a while ago. If that is included in your old app that might help. Otherwise you would have to add it manually which would require access to the source code. But then the users would have to manually update too so it would be quite useless.
So one way to force them to update is to disable all APIs the app might use but that might alienate the users as they have no clue why it stopped working. So as long as you have no notification system that is working right now you have to depend on your users updating.

Related

[Q] How to configure and deploy a large scale android installation (2.3.3.)

Hi,
I am about to assist in deploying a large amount of android device. The requirement is, that the devices (700+) need to be charged, configured and provisioned with the relevant applications for the end-users before delivery.
Device info:
Android 2.3.3
Samsung Galaxy SII
This is not windows mobile, so I am unsure if I can code/design a solution to avoid this enormous manual task.
Is it possible to code something for an sd-card that will be automatically triggered on insertion (as on WM)? This would then provision the device etc.
Is it possible to bypass the initial prompts - To my knowledge you will be prompted for entering the info for your google accounts?
If above is not possible, do I then need to create 700+ google accounts?
Hope someone can help
Brgds
It can also be via an active sync (ish) connection using a computer du provision the device?
A suggestion I received from another forum, was that I could: Make an update.zip for apps .Copy on SD card .Boot in recovery . Apply update.zip.
Would this be a feasible way to go?
odaugaard said:
A suggestion I received from another forum, was that I could: Make an update.zip for apps .Copy on SD card .Boot in recovery . Apply update.zip.
Would this be a feasible way to go?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We just deployed 100 EVO 4G's prior to the deployment we sent a mass email requesting the users create their own Google account and email us the info so we could setup their new phone with email and corporate email access. It took awhile to setup 100 android devices but it went smooth.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
You can use SureMDM from 42Gears for mass provisioning, application deployment and password policy enforcement on Android devices, including smartphones and tablets.
It does not require Google accounts. Install the agent directly on the devices and then use the web-based console to perform all of the above actions from one place. For e.g. you can push an apk on hundreds of devices with a single click.
On non-rooted phones installation of .apks will prompt the user to continue the action.
Free trial is available on the website 42Gears dot com
Similar situation here and am fielding any suggestions or ideas if things have changed in the last several months regarding deployment.
Scenerio:
Deploying approx 200 Asus Transformers in an educational setting
Wish List:
Setup all units using the same Google account, populate static name on the lockscreen, install 3 specific apps on each and the ability to identify each one individually on the market for individual app install by an "administrator".
Currently we are doing each unit manually and then having to wait a few minutes for the Market to populate the new unit and then changing the nickname to the bldg/room number. If we don't wait for the Market to refresh for the new device they will all show as Asus Transformer TF101 and obviously we will not know which device to send specific apps to when they are requested.
There just has to be a better way! I checked out SureMDM and it has a lot of features that we really don't need and it doesn't appear to accomplish what we do need.
Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated!
I know this is an old thread, but what about rooting and building a custom ROM for each unique device to let it do what you want? I'm thinking of doing something similar at the moment.
stephendt0 said:
I know this is an old thread, but what about rooting and building a custom ROM for each unique device to let it do what you want? I'm thinking of doing something similar at the moment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably would work although Google now has a way to streamline deployment:
unfortunately I cannot post the direct link but goto developer dot android dot com/edu

[Q] is there an app that checks all installed or purchased apps for ICS compatibilty?

maybe either through API level, or by querying market info
Reason: i want to check on GB before I upgrade to ICS, which apps will not work.
don't know if relevant but it is for SGS II
Thx in advance
repost from here as nobody could really answer my question
can't believe I'm the only one with that issue
maybe an idea for a dev? would be willing to pay for that ;-)
I don't see why this can't be done:
-http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2695746/how-to-get-a-list-of-installed-android-applications-and-pick-one-to-run
-http://developer.android.com/reference/android/content/pm/PackageManager.html
-http://developer.android.com/reference/android/content/Context.html#getApplicationInfo()
I haven't thought through the problem just yet, but its seems to be doable. If you don't find an app soon, I will start working on a script that does it and, if successful, a proper, free software app. I am hoping the available methods won't require something as stupid as launching each app fully. But again, I haven't thought it through. Thanks for the idea btw.
EDIT:
Made a little more effort
https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en&fromgroups#!topic/android-developers/dXLACRIizKc
I will work on something this weekend and get back with y'all.
EDIT 2:
So it looks like I would need maxSdkVersion which I don't find in the API. Furthermore, it is strongly suggested that one not use maxSdkVersion when building an app so that doesn't sound all that useful. I have received another, much more complicated suggestion that may do what I want, but I will have to look hard at it. Looks like I'm going nowhere in my effort. Always open to suggestions. More to come later this weekend.
I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I thought this was mostly a straightforward task using the API's exposure to AndroidManifest.xml. As per my previously posted link to an Android Developers discussion on the topic, my approach is dead in the water as far as I can see. I did try to find an answer though to the best of my limited ability. If anyone has or ever solves this problem (I consider it a problem) I would hope they find the this thread.
Thanks for the learning experience. I give up.
Most older apps will work fine on ICS, its pretty backwards compatible. If the app uses legacy menus the button will appear in the old lower left hand corner location instead of the upper right hand corner like apps written for ICS.
i'm no dev so bear with me if i write stupid stuff
one likely but not very promising sounding way might be to use android:targetSdkVersion as "As Android evolves with each new version, some behaviors and even appearances might change. However, if the API level of the platform is higher than the version declared by your app's targetSdkVersion, the system may enable compatibility behaviors to ensure that your app continues to work the way you expect. You can disable such compatibility behaviors by specifying targetSdkVersion to match the API level of the platform on which it's running. For example, setting this value to "11" or higher allows the system to apply a new default theme (Holo) to your app when running on Android 3.0 or higher and also disables screen compatibility mode when running on larger screens (because support for API level 11 implicitly supports larger screens)."
question though is how many apps actually use this?
However after having read this re android:maxSdkVersion "Warning: Declaring this attribute is not recommended. First, there is no need to set the attribute as means of blocking deployment of your application onto new versions of the Android platform as they are released. By design, new versions of the platform are fully backward-compatible. Your application should work properly on new versions, provided it uses only standard APIs and follows development best practices. Second, note that in some cases, declaring the attribute can result in your application being removed from users' devices after a system update to a higher API Level. Most devices on which your application is likely to be installed will receive periodic system updates over the air, so you should consider their effect on your application before setting this attribute." (taking from here) i now don't know how important my op is, but then why do all app devs release new versions "fixing things" for ICS?
One pretty significant example which actually currently will prevent my phone from getting ICS for now is that the subsonic app in the current version produces stuttering when playing audio while downloading (problem description here).
Isn't there any way to instead of searching the phone searching google play/android market instead?
Randi said:
maybe either through API level, or by querying market info
Reason: i want to check on GB before I upgrade to ICS, which apps will not work.
don't know if relevant but it is for SGS II
Thx in advance
repost from here as nobody could really answer my question
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a list of some working games/apps for ICS
Theoretically an Android app (or a combo of say App Engine and Android) could find your installed apps, seacrh Play for said apps and then scrape the page for relevant information. Doesn't sound to hard, but I didn't think about too hard either. Perhaps I will check out what useful info is on Play and how feasible scraping its markup will be. I will get back at y'all if I do.

[Q] New device, new binary?

Ok, I am looking at an online Android/iPhone app builder. They either offer the option to build one for free with unlimited downloads or you can pay yearly with different tiers for different download limits. The difference being that the free one has ads.
Anyways, when asked about just creating the app with their site, then hosting it on your own server and having everyone download it from there instead of paying the yearly fees, the site owner made this statement.
" my personal opinion in the long run you will pay more in this case because every time when apple releaes new iOS (like 6 now) or android has new phone (like samsung galaxy S 3 now) you will have to purchase new binary code from us that supports the latest updates/fixes."
Is this true? I don't see how each new device that comes out will require an update in your app.
Also, as stated, if you pay the yearly fee for the lowest amount of downloads, I assume they can only track downloads from Google Play or the Apple app store. I don't see any way they can track downloads from my own server hosting the .apk file. Anyone have any insight on this to correct me if I'm wrong?
For the record, I'm just looking to develop an app to play my Shoutcast Streaming audio station. I make no profit on the station, so have no capital to spend over $1K a year to have an Android and iPhone app. I mainly want to give it to my friends, and make it available to anyone who visits my Website. I really like the design that I did with this site, and am willing to pay something for it, just not worth $1K./year....
Anybody?
Have you tried installing the official Android Software Development Kit on your computer, and making the app yourself? You don't need to use an online service, and you choose exactly what gets compiled into the apk (ads, Google analytics, etc.).
post-mortem said:
Have you tried installing the official Android Software Development Kit on your computer, and making the app yourself? You don't need to use an online service, and you choose exactly what gets compiled into the apk (ads, Google analytics, etc.).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the reply.
I actually do have the SDK installed, and am looking into what it takes to make my own app. But, don't I have to know xml and Java to create apps using the SDK?
You do need to know those two languages.
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium
The Lepricon said:
But, don't I have to know xml and Java to create apps using the SDK?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That online service allows you to write apps without knowing xml or Java?
post-mortem said:
That online service allows you to write apps without knowing xml or Java?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it's kind of like Appinventor, all visual, just assemble the parts and stuff.
It's nice, just kinda pricey. I once posted the job on freelancer.com and got offers for about as much as this company is asking, and with freelancer I would have owned the app afterwards.
But, again, it's kinda hard to foot the bill when it's a non profit app.
Ok, I'm off to learn XML and Java.......
Oh, almost forgot.... the original questions...
" my personal opinion in the long run you will pay more in this case because every time when apple releaes new iOS (like 6 now) or android has new phone (like samsung galaxy S 3 now) you will have to purchase new binary code from us that supports the latest updates/fixes."
Is this true? I don't see how each new device that comes out will require an update in your app.
Also, as stated, if you pay the yearly fee for the lowest amount of downloads, I assume they can only track downloads from Google Play or the Apple app store. I don't see any way they can track downloads from my own server hosting the .apk file. Anyone have any insight on this to correct me if I'm wrong?
any ideas anyone?
I think he means every time Google releases an update to Android (updated OS, not new device). So, for example, you build your app to run on Jelly Bean. But when Key Lime Pie comes out, your app may not work as expected on those devices running KLP. Then, you'd have to pay them to recompile your app with updated binaries, or risk losing market share.
If your app is really simple and would run fine on Android 2.2 and up, then that "purchase new binary" thing is not applicable.
But, hell, if you're willing to learn XML & Java... go for it!

S9+ Rooted (TWRP) / How to change android ID ? Bypass Uber Device Ban

I rooted my S9+ SM-G965F/DS (Pie version) with TWRP recovery.
I was wondering if there was an easy way to change my android ID(that could possibly be repeatable in the future) so I can bypass a ban on Uber that stops me from using it. Or if anyone knows of a simpler way to bypass that ban it would be helpful as well. I already created a new account for Uber on a new device and can use it normally, I just want to be able to use it on this one instead (S9+) and I heard changing android ID would do the trick.
Thank you in advance.
Pamperz said:
I rooted my S9+ SM-G965F/DS (Pie version) with TWRP recovery.
I was wondering if there was an easy way to change my android ID(that could possibly be repeatable in the future) so I can bypass a ban on Uber that stops me from using it. Or if anyone knows of a simpler way to bypass that ban it would be helpful as well. I already created a new account for Uber on a new device and can use it normally, I just want to be able to use it on this one instead (S9+) and I heard changing android ID would do the trick.
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might try Magisk hiding the app, but I have had S9+ for some time and rooted thru all of it and never had an issue with Uber - use it all the time.
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app
gaww said:
You might try Magisk hiding the app, but I have had S9+ for some time and rooted thru all of it and never had an issue with Uber - use it all the time.
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My issue isn't with the root, I rooted specifically to fix the issue but I still don't know how I just know it's the first step. I'm just trying to bypass a device ban by changing android ID which Idk how to do.
How to change Android ID ? ^^
try running uber app inside secure folder. its a container with, in theory, a different ID.
Also, did you try to factory reset?
create a different gmail account? many apps let you choose which gmail account you want to associate with it if you have more than one on your phone. Not sure if itll work, but worth a try. Also not sure is this topic is kosher as its specifically trying to circumvent a ban that was placed on the user, probably for a reason or 2
Forget about Uber, how do I change android ID for my device ? I cant use secure folder as its not available once you root your device. Also I need to repeat the process in the future so even in that case secure folder would only allow one different ID.
Pamperz said:
Forget about Uber, how do I change android ID for my device ? I cant use secure folder as its not available once you root your device. Also I need to repeat the process in the future so even in that case secure folder would only allow one different ID.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not related to your post, but why is your device id banned?
Hangoverr said:
not related to your post, but why is your device id banned?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be clear this isn't related to the question/thread in any way, but since you asked.
I'm not sure, I bought some vouchers(Promotions to be exact) online for very very cheap and was using them for my trips. One time I decided to give them to an Uber driver who I thought was incredibly nice and thought he'd needed them more than me. So I gave him around 40$ of trips divided into multiple trips so I had to re-order him after each trip consecutively in a short period of time. I'm not sure if that's what did It but it sure stopped my ability to pay Cash on that account, I created a support ticket and after reviewing the ticket they just banned the account for "Fraudulent Activity". I believe they thought I was the driver somehow and was ordering them for my self, I know this because the driver contacted me a few days later (we exchanged numbers) and told me he received a warning(nothing more) for suspicious activity. And If that's not what did it then maybe it was because I was sharing my account with my sister and she would regularly cancel orders or not end up finding the driver (Poor gps routes in my country).
Did you try VPN or modifying build. prop?
dedq said:
Did you try VPN or modifying build. prop?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
VPN doesn't do it as it's not related.
Any free apps you can recommend that change build prop?
If you tried VPN then ok.
You can find them on Google Play Store or edit it yourself by finding its location which I do not know by heart.

How does the app „Jodel" identify my device?

i recently bought a used device and when i tried to create a new jodel account, the app said i was perm banned. How come? Since i have root acces, i tried to change my device id / spoof my mc adress. But im still banned. So, how does jodel identify my device?
jodel: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tellm.android.app&hl=de&gl=US
thanks in advance
IMO you have to investigate app's source code to find it out.
dont know how. pls help
You use an APK de-compiler. Some online de-compilers exist but do only handle APKs < 50 MB hence not useable in your case.
More info here:
48 Best APK Decompilers 2023 (Ranked and Reviewed) - Edopedia
As a programmer, we frequently come across interesting apps and games on the Play Store. And we wish that there would be some magical software that can
www.edopedia.com
i dont know how to use that. i just need to know, how jodel identifiys my device.
whre does it say what data they use to identify my device
@anonuser14 Here you find a review of Jodel written in German. As you're obviously using Jodel, I assume you speak German otherwise please use a machine translator. I'm convinced you'll find the answers to your questions about the absolutely privacy related desaster application.
yes, im german. first thing i did was reading the privacy note from jodel and i even asked the support. all they said was, they use my devide id, which is obvisly not the whole truth. im not a developer or something, all i know is how to flash a rom & root a device. so, all i need is an expert looking into this case and helping me. ( I attached the anwers from jodel)
If you're rooted and using Xposed (in whatever version) I suggest to spoof your device ID with XPrivacy Lua by @M66B like I do.
[CLOSED][APP][XPOSED][6.0+] XPrivacyLua - Android privacy manager [UNSUPPORTED]
XPrivacyLua Really simple to use privacy manager for Android 6.0 Marshmallow and later (successor of XPrivacy). Revoking Android permissions from apps often let apps crash or malfunction. XPrivacyLua solves this by feeding apps fake data...
forum.xda-developers.com
so what now?
A Jodel account is tied to Device ID of phone it 1st time was installed on. Hence you can't use Jodel on another phone.
Also Jodel doesn't allow you to create multiple accounts, as you tried to do.
like i said, i bought a used phone, i did not try to create multiple accounts, and most important, its not tied to the device id, at least not tied to just the device id. i tried reinstalling the app, used privicy lua, changed the phone id, but jodel still can identify my device.
how?
what if i pay 10$ for giving me a solution?
pls help
anonuser14 said:
what if i pay 10$ for giving me a solution?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In Germany, the legal minimum wage per hour is currently 9.60€ ( 11.35$ ).
jwoegerbauer said:
In Germany, the legal minimum wage per hour is currently 9.60€ ( 11.35$ ).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so, can u help me?
Could but don't want to because it requires to install some GBs of apps on PC what are only needed once.
just tell me how, and ill try.
until now, nobody seems to know, how jodel identifies a device
@anonuser14 As far as I remember, Mike Kuketz has briefly reviewed that app about two years ago. Here's a shortened quotation of his conclusion (German-English translation by https://www.deepl.com:
Yodel is a good example of how just starting an app is enough to get an impression of how privacy-friendly it is. My impression: miserable.
At least the information in the privacy policy is relatively transparent - privacy-sensitive users will therefore probably not use Yodel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If interested consider to search the web for that post.
Oswald Boelcke said:
@anonuser14 As far as I remember, Mike Kuketz has briefly reviewed that app about two years ago. Here's a shortened quotation of his conclusion (German-English translation by https://www.deepl.com:
If interested consider to search the web for that post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jodel had severel updates. 2yo article are not valide anymore.
how does jodel identify a device?

Categories

Resources