Programmatically install an apk in Android 7 / api24

Question

I am trying to get my app to automatically install an apk. This works fine for api<24. But for 24, it is failing. Android has implemented extra security:

Answer 1

For Oreo, Add permission in AndroidManifast (Otherwise it just silently fails)

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

now add to you'r Manifest

  <provider
    android:name="android.support.v4.content.FileProvider"
    android:authorities="${applicationId}.provider" 
    android:exported="false"
    android:grantUriPermissions="true">
    <meta-data
        android:name="android.support.FILE_PROVIDER_PATHS"
        android:resource="@xml/provider_paths"/>
</provider>

in xml directory add...

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<paths xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
<external-path name="external_files" path="." /></paths>

then use these codes where you want.

File directory = Environment.getExternalStoragePublicDirectory("myapp_folder"); 

 File file = new File(directory, "myapp.apk"); // assume refers to "sdcard/myapp_folder/myapp.apk"


    Uri fileUri = Uri.fromFile(file); //for Build.VERSION.SDK_INT <= 24

    if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= 24) {

        fileUri = FileProvider.getUriForFile(context, BuildConfig.APPLICATION_ID + ".provider", file);
    }
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW, fileUri);
    intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_NOT_UNKNOWN_SOURCE, true);
    intent.setDataAndType(fileUri, "application/vnd.android.package-archive");
    intent.setFlags( Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
    intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION); //dont forget add this line
    context.startActivity(intent);
}

Answer 2

For Oreo, Add permission in AndroidManifast

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