Bumpinjeep wrote

Man, that really sucks as I enjoyed the app. If you can't make it work due to Google, then you can't make it work and that's totally fine. This isn't the end of the world so don't stress about it. There's a really good community here so people will still try to find ways to access it. Just wish that I could do it through the app as it was quick and convenient.

Edit: got it to work again! Logged in and using it.

claykin wrote

For anyone interested, the last version posted in the Playstore is 6.7.0. There's several apk repository sites where this version can be downloaded to reinstall in the event future versions are pulled.

apptest I'm interested but I'd be even more interested if you were able to host it in the Samsung Galaxy store as an alternative to the Playstore.

apptest wrote

No I wont be directly publishing there. As for the independent APK downloads, I’m personally always weary of that because who knows what malware those hosts may be injecting into the app. I would only trust the play store itself TBH.

Interesting the entire 0 people have contacted me about directly getting the APK which underlines the entire problem with this, how do I effectly keep the app updated since people aren’t (rightfully) coming here everyday to check for an update>. They expect the phone system just update it for them, which gets lost with a direct APK download. With that said I did build in a basic updater into the app itself to try and force people to update it if need be

Brandoch wrote

Create a button on the front page of the app for app updates. Make it a VERY visual reminder.
Just an idea.

apptest wrote

No I wont be directly publishing there. As for the independent APK downloads, I’m personally always weary of that because who knows what malware those hosts may be injecting into the app. I would only trust the play store itself TBH.

Interesting the entire 0 people have contacted me about directly getting the APK which underlines the entire problem with this, how do I effectly keep the app updated since people aren’t (rightfully) coming here everyday to check for an update>. They expect the phone system just update it for them, which gets lost with a direct APK download. With that said I did build in a basic updater into the app itself to try and force people to update it if need be

claykin wrote

I have another solution to save V6.7.0 for safe keeping if it was downloaded to your device through the Playstore. Before upgrading, open Google Files app. Open the list of applications on your device. Scroll to find Bimmerpost. Click on the three dots next to Bimmerpost and select Share. Send the Bimmerpost apk to the destination of your choice. Now you'll have a backup of 6.7.0 in case you need to roll back. No concerns of malware

As far as Android users coming here to ask for the apk, this section of the forum is for a tiny segment of your user base. I would suggest you place a link in the News section or a sticky on top of each forum. That would be a better way to evaluate interest. That said, your average user reading this thread will be scared off by your statements claiming "there's no going back".

You have options. You can host your apk updates as well as offer 6.7.0 for those who want to roll back. You can have your android app ping your update server and if an update is available display a pop-up in the app. Yes, I fully understand there's other challenges such as forcing the user to disable security features temporarily to side load the update.

I appreciate this forum and also appreciate you continuing to update the Android version in spite of the challenges.

I'm interested. Please let me know when it's ready for real world use.

vreihen16 wrote

@apptest et al - I just saw this posted in another forum, and thought that it was worth sharing because side-loading apps will soon be next to impossible with Google requiring authors to jump through their flaming identity-verification hoops and pay a fee even if you *don't* distribute through their Play store:

https://keepandroidopen.org/

Glad that I don't use Android.....

apptest wrote

That's a shame, seems like this door might be closing soon. I wonder even if someone installs the APK today, would it still be able to run after the OS update or would it also get locked out

vreihen16 wrote

The first question that popped into my head was if a side-loaded app would be permitted to install other apps or update itself once Google enables that protection?????

No one wrote

vreihen16 wrote

The first question that popped into my head was if a side-loaded app would be permitted to install other apps or update itself once Google enables that protection?????

I read a news of a malware taking this path (introducing a "legal" version and updating it for the purpose later) through the Google Play the other day.

No installations/updates by default (without a direct permission) must be allowed, of course! Shitting into someone's property (device) at your own discretion is something outstanding (I mean, some "take the liberty" already)!

vreihen16