[apptest]

Hi as some of you are aware (or are becoming aware), the Android App has been on its death bed for some time. This is because we cannot submit to the Google Play store anymore (not due to anything bad per se, but that we cannot comply with some of the rules / regs of the Play Store).

With that said a lot of people have been asking me to release the APK directly. I’m still hesitant to do this and so I might just pull it at any time. With that said, if anyone is interested in directly downloading the APK from me and installing it directly just drop me a PM and I can provide it to you.

Keep in mind if you do this I cannot give you any guarantees it works on your device (the play store does that kind of compatibility check which is a big benefit of the store) and I also cannot guarantee it will work forever since like I mention I might have to pull it again if I notice any security issues with it.

Also if you do install it directly THERE IS NO GOING BACK. Since its not available in the play store anymore, if you delete that and replace with this one and then I pull it at a later time then that’s that.

I’m really truly sorry it has to be like this, but I’m not sure if I want to release the app like this, but a few of you have mentioned you don’t care and just want to use the newest *functional* version so that’s what I’m offering here. Just send me a PM/DM. I’m still working on some late minute details to make sure it functions correctly in this weird form so I might not reply immediately

[thesanmarinoblues]

what is it about the process that you cannot comply with?

[Bumpinjeep]

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.

[apptest]

Originally Posted by Bumpinjeep

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.

Yes I patched a few things to get it able to login again. Who knows when it will break again tho, so if you want that new version just let me know

[claykin]

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]

Originally Posted by claykin

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.

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]

Originally Posted by apptest

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

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

[apptest]

Originally Posted by Brandoch

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

Yea it has something like that. A large banner 😀

[claykin]

Originally Posted by apptest

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

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.

[apptest]

Originally Posted by claykin

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.

It’s ready. When you want to try it just drop me a pm. But be sure 😀😀

[vreihen16]

@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]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

@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.....

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]

Originally Posted by apptest

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

I think that the big deterrent is having to wait 24 hours after turning developer mode on before side-loading apps.

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]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

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)!

[apptest]

Originally Posted by No one

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)!

I could imagine this happening with apps. I made the android app on our end just throw a banner up saying the app is out of date and give you a link to download the update and install it. As vreihen16 says, I do have a feeling this might be a moot point if android won't allow this kind of install in the future. I have been putting alot of effort into the mobile view with the new Web 2.0 site, as even in the best of days alot of android people seemed to prefer using the site through chrome then through a dedicated app. We shall see..