Install app automatically in android 7 or higher

Question

I want to install app in my projects. But my code don't work in api 24 or higher. What is its solution?

My code is:

String timestamp = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyy.MM.dd.HH.mm.ss").format(new Date());
String dir = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory() + "/" + context.getResources().getString(R.string.cache_path);
String appName = appModel.getAppUrl().substring(appModel.getAppUrl().lastIndexOf('/') + 1, appModel.getAppUrl().length());
appName = timestamp + "_" + appName;

 private void appInstaller(String dir, String appName) {
        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT < Build.VERSION_CODES.N) {
            File file = new File(dir, appName);
            Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
            intent.setDataAndType(Uri.fromFile(file), "application/vnd.android.package-archive");
            startActivity(intent);
        } else {
            Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_INSTALL_PACKAGE);
            intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION);
            intent.setDataAndType(Uri.fromFile(new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory() + "/" + dir + "/" + appName)), "application/vnd.android.package-archive");
            intent.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
            startActivity(intent);
        }
    }

Manifest:

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

This question is like my question. But does not work its solution for me!

Thanks about to help me!

Answer 1

Option 1:

You can easily launch a play store link or an install prompt:

Intent promptInstall = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW)
    .setDataAndType(Uri.parse("content:///path/to/your.apk"), 
                    "application/vnd.android.package-archive");
startActivity(promptInstall); 

or

Intent goToMarket = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW)
    .setData(Uri.parse("https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.package.name"));
startActivity(goToMarket);

However, you cannot install.apks without user's explicit permission; not unless the device and your program is rooted.

Option 2:

Your choices are:

• Drop your targetSdkVersion to 23 or lower, or
• Put your content on internal storage, then use , FileProvider to make it available selectively to other apps

For example:

Intent i=new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW, FileProvider.getUriForFile(this, AUTHORITY, f));

i.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION);
startActivity(i);

Answer 2

I resolved this problem and this way is true for me: First :

private static final String APP_DIR = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory().getAbsolutePath() + "/MyAppFolderInStorage/";

private void install() {
    File file = new File(APP_DIR + fileName);

    if (file.exists()) {
        Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
        String type = "application/vnd.android.package-archive";

        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.N) {
            Uri downloadedApk = FileProvider.getUriForFile(getContext(), "ir.greencode", file);
            intent.setDataAndType(downloadedApk, type);
            intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION);
        } else {
            intent.setDataAndType(Uri.fromFile(file), type);
            intent.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
        }

        getContext().startActivity(intent);
    } else {
        Toast.makeText(getContext(), "ّFile not found!", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
    }
}

Second : For android 7 and above you should define a provider in manifest like below!

<provider
        android:name="android.support.v4.content.FileProvider"
        android:authorities="ir.greencode"
        android:exported="false"
        android:grantUriPermissions="true">
        <meta-data
            android:name="android.support.FILE_PROVIDER_PATHS"
            android:resource="@xml/paths" />
    </provider>

Third : Define path.xml in res/xml folder like below! I'm using this path for internal storage if you want to change it to something else there is a few way! You can go to this FileProvider

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<paths xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
    <external-path name="your_folder_name" path="MyAppFolderInStorage/"/>
</paths>

Forth : You should add this permission in manifest:

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