Android install .apk file programmatically

Question

I'm trying to do an autoupdate function, after a lot of search I've found solution for download .apk file from my server to my device But i'can't launch this file, window to prompt user for install open but close direct.

this is my code

Java.IO.File file = new Java.IO.File(destination);

Android.Net.Uri apkURI = Android.Support.V4.Content.FileProvider.GetUriForFile(
                                  _context,
                                  _context.ApplicationContext.PackageName + ".provider", file);

 Intent promptInstall = new Intent(Intent.ActionView);
 //promptInstall.SetDataAndType(apkURI, "application/vnd.android.package-archive");
 promptInstall.SetData(apkURI);

 promptInstall.AddFlags(ActivityFlags.NewTask);
 promptInstall.AddFlags(ActivityFlags.GrantReadUriPermission);
         _context.GrantUriPermission(_context.ApplicationContext.PackageName, apkURI, ActivityFlags.GrantReadUriPermission);
_context.StartActivity(promptInstall);

I've tryed with a lot of combinaison of flags and Ident.Action like ActionInstallPackage

android version is 8.1

thanks

Solution 1

I have wrote a code in java with respect to Uri access exposure for targetSdkVersion >= 24, please try it in xamarin yourself.

ApkInstaller.java

import android.content.ActivityNotFoundException;
import android.content.Context;
import android.content.Intent;
import android.net.Uri;
import android.os.Build;
import android.support.v4.content.FileProvider;
import android.util.Log;

import java.io.File;

public class ApkInstaller {

    public static void installApplication(Context context, String filePath) {
        Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
        intent.setDataAndType(uriFromFile(context, new File(filePath)), "application/vnd.android.package-archive");
        intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
        intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION);
        try {
            context.startActivity(intent);
        } catch (ActivityNotFoundException e) {
            e.printStackTrace();
            Log.e("TAG", "Error in opening the file!");
        }
    }

    private static Uri uriFromFile(Context context, File file) {
        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.N) {
            return FileProvider.getUriForFile(context, BuildConfig.APPLICATION_ID + ".provider", file);
        } else {
            return Uri.fromFile(file);
        }
    }

}

manifest.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    package="package.identifier">

    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />

    <application ... >

        ...

        <provider
            android:name="android.support.v4.content.FileProvider"
            android:authorities="${applicationId}.provider"
            android:exported="false"
            android:grantUriPermissions="true">
            <meta-data
                android:name="android.support.FILE_PROVIDER_PATHS"
                android:resource="@xml/provider_paths" />
        </provider>

    </application>

</manifest>

res/xml/provider_paths.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<paths>
    <external-path
        name="external_files"
        path="." />
</paths>

Usage:

ApkInstaller.installApplication(context, filePath);

Solution 2

STEP-1

First Create xml file inside your res/xml/provider_paths.xml and then

<paths xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
    <external-path
        name="files_root"
        path="Android/data/${applicationId}" />
    <external-path
        name="external_files"
        path="." />
</paths>

STEP-2

Add this in AndroidManifest.xml file

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES"/>

<application>
 <provider
        android:name="androidx.core.content.FileProvider"
        android:authorities="${applicationId}.provider"
        android:exported="false"
        android:grantUriPermissions="true">
        <meta-data
            android:name="android.support.FILE_PROVIDER_PATHS"
            android:resource="@xml/provider_paths" />
    </provider>
    </application>

STEP-3 Final step

Add this in your Activity class

 if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.N) {
                            Uri uri = FileProvider.getUriForFile(context,
                                    context.getApplicationContext().getPackageName() + ".provider", new File(apkFilePath));
                            Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
                            intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION | Intent.FLAG_GRANT_WRITE_URI_PERMISSION);
                            intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
                            intent.setDataAndType(uri, "application/vnd.android.package-archive");
                            startActivity(intent);

                        } else {
                            Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
                            intent.setDataAndType(FileUtils.getFileToUri(BaseActivity.this, new File(apkFilePath)),
                                    "application/vnd.android.package-archive");
                            intent.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
                            startActivity(intent);
                        }

Note: FileProvider only for Android >= Nougat

Using FileProvider you can get other .extension file like capture image uri

Uri uri = FileProvider.getUriForFile(context,
context.getApplicationContext().getPackageName() + ".provider", new File(imageFilePath));

Comments

[aminography]

@r2b2s: Have you tested it?

[r2b2s]

thanks, but i've already tested this solution, and it's not wotking for me the apk installer windows is launched but immediatly closed... I've scrapped the idea and tried something new, use google play store with tested version

[roghayeh hosseini]

are u test it in android >Oreo?

[aminography]

@roghayehhosseini: I've tested it on Android N, as the problem comes from N and later, I think it is OK on O.

[Sagar]

@aminography For me it showing dialog There was a problem while parsing the package and security exception for androidx.core.content.FileProvider I have added FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION flag also