Self-Hosted App Updater

This skill handles updating the Android TV application (APK) directly from a private server or GitHub Releases, bypassing Google Play.

🔄 Update Workflow

1. Check Version: Fetch version.json from your server on app launch.
2. Prompt User: If remoteVersion > localVersion, show a modal: "Update Available".
3. Download APK: Use CapacitorHttp to download the .apk file to a temporary location.
4. Install: Trigger the Android Intent to install the package.

📱 Implementation Details

1. Version Manifest (version.json)

Host this file on your server (e.g., GitHub Pages or your API):

{
  "version": "1.2.3",
  "minVersion": "1.0.0", // Force update if critical
  "url": "https://example.com/app-release.apk",
  "notes": "Fixed critical bug with player."
}

2. Download & Install (Java/Native Plugin)

Since standard web APIs cannot trigger APK installation, you need a Native Plugin method (extend TVPlayer.java or create AppUpdater.java).

Required Permissions (AndroidManifest.xml):

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

Java Implementation (Snippet):

// Download logic using DownloadManager or OkHttp...
// Then install:
Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
intent.setDataAndType(apkUri, "application/vnd.android.package-archive");
intent.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION); // Critical for FileProvider
context.startActivity(intent);

3. FileProvider (Critical for Android 7+)

You cannot just expose file:// URIs. You MUST use a FileProvider in AndroidManifest.xml:

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

res/xml/file_paths.xml:

<paths>
    <external-path name="external_files" path="."/>
</paths>

⚠️ Safety First

• Signature Verification: Android automatically verifies that the new APK signature matches the old one. If not, update fails. Ensure you sign with the SAME key.
• HTTPS Only: Never download APKs over HTTP.
• User Consent: Always ask the user before starting a download (bandwidth) and before installing.