Google introduces In-app updates API to allow Android apps update when user use them

Google has now introduced new In-app updates API for developers to make in-app updates, which will help developers improve the efficiency of version changes. If the user is not using the latest version, they will be notified when the app is opened, and when the user clicks on the update, the Google Play service will be called to update.

Most applications currently use the self-deployed inspection server, and each time the user opens, they will contact the server to check if a new version is available. Then pop up a prompt asking the user to update, but the end user also needs to jump to the Google store, many users seem to have little interest in the update. So this time Google also responded to the needs of developers to launch this new API, while simplifying the work of developers and users to improve the efficiency of user updates.

Here’s how Google describes it:

You’ll have two options with this API; the first is a full-screen experience for critical updates when you expect the user to wait for the update to be applied immediately. The second option is a flexible update, which means the user can keep using the app while the update is downloaded. You can completely customize the update flow so it feels like part of your app.

The API currently supports two flows:

• The “immediate” flow is a full-screen user experience that guides the user from download to update before they can use your app.
• The “flexible flow” allows users to download the update while continuing to use your app.

Interested developers can check details in Android’s developer documentation.