Android Question Downloading .apk from private server

[dieterp]

Hi Guys

I have a private application that will not be released through the Google Apps store. Users will download it from a personal website. Different users will get different applications depending on their license, so when a user with a 'professional' licence downloads the professional version apk file, how can that file be saved on their device and installed from an internal location so that the user cannot simply send the apk file to other users?

Erel said I should use HttpUtils2 to download the APK, copy it with File.Copy2 to File.DirDefaultExternal and then send the intent that installs it. I'd just like to find out:

1. Is this done from the original .apk file that contains my actual program, or do I create a seperate 'Download Shell' that the user downloads and when they run that, that then downloads the actual program and does the relevant installations?

Thanks and Regards

 

[Erel]

The file must be installed in the external storage. Otherwise the system will not be able to install it. You can however delete it after installing it.
This can be a bit tricky. Are you installing an app with the same package name as the original one?

 

[dieterp]

Hi Erel

Yes. The Package Name is the same as the original.

 

[Erel]

In that case you should check whether the APK exist when the app starts and delete it.

 

[dieterp]

Okay, will do. Thanks for your help Erel!