How To Force An App Update Using The Google Play In-App Update API: A Step-by-Step Guide

This code is written in Java and is checking for an update to the app using the Google Play In-App Update API.

The CheckForAppUpdate() method is responsible for checking for an available updates. It creates an instance of the AppUpdateManager class using the AppUpdateManagerFactory.create() method. Then, it calls the getAppUpdateInfo() method on the AppUpdateManager object to get an AppUpdateInfo object. The addOnSuccessListener() method is called on the Task object returned by getAppUpdateInfo(), and a lambda expression is used to handle the success case.

Inside the lambda expression, the updateAvailability() method of the AppUpdateInfo object is called to check if an update is available, and the isUpdateTypeAllowed() method is used to check if the update type is allowed (in this case, an immediate update). If an update is available and the update type is allowed, startUpdateFlowForResult() is called on the AppUpdateManager object to initiate the update process.

The onActivityResult() method is called when the update flow is completed. It checks if the request code matches the code used to start the update process, and if the result code is not RESULT_OK, it logs a warning message indicating that the update flow failed.

Overall, this code demonstrates how to use the Google Play In-App Update API to check for and initiate an app update.

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How to implement this code in android project

To implement this code in an Android project, follow these steps:

Add the following dependency to your app-level build.gradle file:

implementation 'com.google.android.play:core:1.10.0'

This dependency provides the Google Play Core library, which includes the In-App Update API.

Add the following permission to your app’s manifest file:

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

This permission is required for the app to request permission to install the update.

Copy the CheckForAppUpdate() and onActivityResult() methods to your activity class.

Make sure to replace the MY_REQUEST_CODE constant with your own request code.

 private static final int MY_REQUEST_CODE = 100;

 private AppUpdateManager appUpdateManager;

Call the CheckForAppUpdate() method from your activity’s onCreate() method, or from any other appropriate location in your code.

When the CheckForAppUpdate() method is called, it will check for an available update and start the update flow if one is available.

That’s it! With these steps, you should be able to implement the code and test the app update flow using the Google Play In-App Update API.

Google Documentation:- https://developer.android.com/guide/playcore/in-app-updates/kotlin-java

Java Code

 private void CheckForAppUpdate(){

        appUpdateManager = AppUpdateManagerFactory.create(this);

// Returns an intent object that you use to check for an update.
        Task<AppUpdateInfo> appUpdateInfoTask = appUpdateManager.getAppUpdateInfo();

// Checks that the platform will allow the specified type of update.
        appUpdateInfoTask.addOnSuccessListener(appUpdateInfo -> {
            if (appUpdateInfo.updateAvailability() == UpdateAvailability.UPDATE_AVAILABLE
                    // This example applies an immediate update. To apply a flexible update
                    // instead, pass in AppUpdateType.FLEXIBLE
                    && appUpdateInfo.isUpdateTypeAllowed(AppUpdateType.FLEXIBLE)) {
                // Request the update.

                try {
                    appUpdateManager.startUpdateFlowForResult(
                            // Pass the intent that is returned by 'getAppUpdateInfo()'.
                            appUpdateInfo,
                            // Or 'AppUpdateType.FLEXIBLE' for flexible updates.
                            AppUpdateType.FLEXIBLE,
                            // The current activity making the update request.
                            this,
                            // Include a request code to later monitor this update request.
                            MY_REQUEST_CODE);
                } catch (IntentSender.SendIntentException e) {
                    throw new RuntimeException(e);
                }
            }
        });

        // Before starting an update, register a listener for updates.
        appUpdateManager.registerListener(listener);

    }


    @Override
    public void onActivityResult(int requestCode, int resultCode, Intent data) {
        super.onActivityResult(requestCode, resultCode, data);
        if (requestCode == MY_REQUEST_CODE) {
            if (resultCode != RESULT_OK) {

                Log.w("SplashActivity", "Update Flow Failed :"+ requestCode);
                // If the update is cancelled or fails,
                // you can request to start the update again.
            }
        }
    }

    protected void onStop() {

        super.onStop();

        appUpdateManager.unregisterListener(listener);

    }

    InstallStateUpdatedListener listener = state -> {
        if (state.installStatus() == InstallStatus.DOWNLOADED) {
            // After the update is downloaded, show a notification
            // and request user confirmation to restart the app.
            popupSnackbarForCompleteUpdate();
        }

    };

    // Displays the snackbar notification and call to action.
    private void popupSnackbarForCompleteUpdate() {
        Snackbar snackbar =
                Snackbar.make(
                        findViewById(android.R.id.content),
                        "An update has just been downloaded.",
                        Snackbar.LENGTH_INDEFINITE);
        snackbar.setAction("RESTART", view -> appUpdateManager.completeUpdate());
        snackbar.setActionTextColor(
                getResources().getColor(android.R.color.holo_blue_bright));
        snackbar.show();
    }