Download an APK to App-Specific Directory (ASD) and install it without permissions

[bodymindpower (Anke)]

With this extension you can download an APK to the ASD (app-specific directory) and install it. This doesn’t require WRITE / READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permissions.

However, you can also install an APK from another directory (e.g. the /Download folder) (with READ permissions).

This should work on all Android versions, especially on Android 9, 10, 11.

Update v3 (Oct 25, 2020):
aix removed

Blocks version 3

Update v4 (Nov 2, 2020):

→ DownloadCompleted event added
→ Create Download directory in ASD
→ Create subfolders in Download dir of ASD

Update v5 (July 30, 2021):
InstallAPK.aix (8.6 KB)
→ Updated → AndroidX

Blocks

Example

Update v6 (April 11, 2022):
de.bodymindpower.installApk.aix (11.2 KB) - EDIT (April 22, 2022):
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES"/>
added to Manifest.

With version 5 there seems to be a compiling issue with some special extensions. This has been fixed in version 6. In addition, two new blocks have been added to check if the APK has already been downloaded (exists) and to delete the APK again after downloading. (This version was now created using Rush.)

[nikzdreamer2001 (Nikhil Kumar Gupta)]

can it install app without copying apk to specific directory?

[bodymindpower (Anke)]

Yes of course, but you have to grant WRITE permission.

[bodymindpower (Anke)]

I simplified my example blocks a bit (without using TaifunFile ext):

• download the APK from Google Drive to the /Download (default) folder and copy it to ASD
• install AKP from ASD

Of course you need the WRITE permission for this, since the download component always downloads to the standard folder (/storage/emulated/0/Download).

To avoid this, you need to use an extension that also allows you to download a file to a specific folder. I only know that the Download extension from our beloved can do that. Maybe someone has a better suggestion.

[vknow360 (Sunny Gupta)]

@bodymindpower

since the download component always downloads to the standard folder (/storage/emulated/0/Download).

That is not true.
You can change download location using Save File As property.

[bodymindpower (Anke)]

@vknow360

You can change download location using Save File As property.

No, the file is always in the /Download (sub)folder:

[vknow360 (Sunny Gupta)]

Seems like Kodular uses preset dir.
Download Manager’s documentation says that file will be saved in dir specified using setDestinationInExternalPublicDir method so you can save file in external storage in any dir.
Staff can clarify our doubts.

[bodymindpower (Anke)]

@vknow360

Staff can clarify our doubts.

There is no doubt about it, I have tested it extensively.
However, my suggestion for you would be that you create a small flexible download extension.

[nikzdreamer2001 (Nikhil Kumar Gupta)]

@bodymindpower

flexible download extension.

Today i created toipic on it but not got reply…

Need this downloader Extension!

Hey koders, I need help from extension developer… Yesterday i have found a GitHub project that is for downloading files… The best feature in that project is- it suports multi thread download pause/resume function auto retry,etc and jar file is also included in that project… there are many more threads on file downloader but the don’t provide jar file but have lots of features like background download creating notification on download… So if you can make it please make it as it will…

[Taifun]

@bodymindpower

This sholud work on all Android versions, especially on Android 9 / 10 and even when the app (Kodular) targets API 29 ( targetSdkVersion=29 ).

thank you for your contribution…
does the extension also work in the companion app as well as in App Inventor?
and if you like to follow the naming conventions, then please start the extension name with a capital letter… InstallApk or InstallAPK would be the correct name according to the conventions…

@bodymindpower

To avoid this, you need to use an extension that also allows you to download a file to a specific folder. I only know that the Download extension from our beloved can do that. Maybe someone has a better suggestion .

what about using the web component?
see also How to download a file and save it on your device

Taifun

[yusufcihan]

How about that?

I tested with disabling the Storage permission from App Settings, and it is saving to application specific directory.

Example file: dummy.pdf

I also used this extension too:

EFile : Only asks for permissions when required

Introduction EFile is a modified version of original File component.The only difference between File component and the extension is that the extension does not asks for write permission if you want to write to Application Specific Directory and read permission if you want to read from Application Specific Directory or Assets. Latest Version: 4 Released: 2020-06-10T18:30:00Z (UTC) Last Updated: 2021-06-22T18:30:00Z (UTC) Blocks [image] [image] Documentation After File Saved Event indica…

P.S: Just saw that Taifun recommended the Web component

[catastrophe2help (Koder)]

Thanks for the extension… was looking for something like this.

[zainulhassan]

Awesome extension. BTW do we need to manually ask for permissions or the extension asks itself.

Install APK from app-specific directory (ASD)

Yes of course, but you have to grant WRITE permission.

[bodymindpower (Anke)]

@yusufcihan

Just saw that Taifun recommended the Web component

It does not work with the Web component because the APK file is corrupted with your procedure after downloading.

I found a way to do it with the Web component only. But in this case you must ask for WRITE permission, because the Web component enforces that, even when downloading to an ASD (shouldn’t be like this!).

See here (works with Companion, of course without asking for WRITE perm.):
installAPK2.aia (41.4 KB)

As I said, we need an extension to flexibly download files to the external storage, especially to the ASD without having to request WRITE permission .

[bodymindpower (Anke)]

@zainulhassan

BTW do we need to manually ask for permissions or the extension asks itself.

That depends on how you use the extension. If you use the Download component, the permission will be requested automatically. If you put the APK in the assets (and copy it to ASD), no permission is required at all.

[bodymindpower (Anke)]

@Taifun

what about using the web component?

See here:

Install APK from app-specific directory (ASD)

It does not work with the Web component because the APK file is corrupted with your procedure after downloading. I found a way to do it with the Web component only. But in this case you must ask for WRITE permission, because the Web component enforces that, even when downloading to an ASD (shouldn’t be like this!). See here (works with Companion, of course without asking for WRITE perm.): installAPK2.aia (41.4 KB) [grafik] As I said, we need an extension to flexibly download files to the e…

[bodymindpower (Anke)]

Here is an APK for testing with 2 methods: installAPK.apk (5.1 MB)

1. download via extension to ASD (no WRITE permission)
2. download via Web component to ASD (needs WRITE perm.)

You can set your own download URL and apkName (e.g.: myApp.apk).

Blocks

[bodymindpower (Anke)]

Here is an new version of the extension.
I added a Download method (thanks to @vknow360 for support!) with that you can download an APK (or whatever file you like) to the App-Specific Directory (ASD) and install it (without WRITE / READ permissions):
de.bodymindpower.InstallAPK.aix (9.0 KB)

I also followed the naming conventions, which @Taifun pointed out.

Example:

[Taifun]

keep up the good work!

@bodymindpower

I also followed the naming conventions, which @Taifun pointed out.

Excellent!

@bodymindpower

Here is an new version of the extension .

thank you…
please also edit your first post in this thread and replace your old version with the new one…

Taifun

[bodymindpower (Anke)]

@Taifun

please also edit your first post in this thread and replace your old version with the new one

Ok, but as I said, it is not an update, but a new version because the package name has been changed.