内部员工Android应用自动更新咨询：InAppUpdates后台触发与G-Suite强制更新

Hey there! Let's tackle your two questions about ensuring your internal Android app stays updated for employees:

1. Can we use Android InAppUpdates to keep showing "UPDATE ME" prompts? #

Absolutely! The In-App Updates API gives you full control over how and when you prompt users for updates, and you can configure it to show the prompt consistently until the user updates.

Here's how to make it work for your internal app:

• Pick the right update mode: Use the Immediate Update mode if you want to block access to the app until the user updates (ideal for internal tools where running outdated versions isn't acceptable). For a less intrusive but persistent prompt, go with the Flexible Update mode paired with a custom "UPDATE ME" dialog that pops up every time the user opens the app or navigates to a key screen like the dashboard.
• Check for updates on app launch: Add code to check for available updates every time the app starts up. If an update exists, trigger the prompt right away. Here's a quick Kotlin snippet to get you started:

  val appUpdateManager = AppUpdateManagerFactory.create(context)
  val appUpdateInfoTask = appUpdateManager.appUpdateInfo
  
  appUpdateInfoTask.addOnSuccessListener { appUpdateInfo ->
      if (appUpdateInfo.updateAvailability() == UpdateAvailability.UPDATE_AVAILABLE
          && appUpdateInfo.isUpdateTypeAllowed(AppUpdateType.IMMEDIATE)) {
          // Launch immediate update prompt
          appUpdateManager.startUpdateFlowForResult(
              appUpdateInfo,
              AppUpdateType.IMMEDIATE,
              this,
              MY_REQUEST_CODE)
      }
  }
  

• Handle update failures: Make sure to re-check for updates if the user cancels the update or if it fails (e.g., due to network issues). This way, the prompt will reappear on the next app launch.

2. Can we use G Suite (Google Workspace) admin permissions to force automatic updates? #

Yes, you can! If your app is distributed via the Google Play Private Channel (the recommended method for internal enterprise apps), Google Workspace admins can set up forced auto-updates that run in the background without any user interaction.

Here's how to configure it:

1. In the Google Workspace Admin Console, navigate to Apps > Google Workspace > Marketplace apps (or Private apps if you published it internally).
2. Locate your internal app and open its settings.
3. Find the Update policy section, then set it to Force auto-update. This ensures that whenever a new version of your app is published to the Private Channel, all installed instances will automatically update in the background—no user action needed.

Note: If you're currently distributing the app via direct APK downloads instead of the Private Channel, this method won't work. Switching to the Private Channel will not only let you enforce auto-updates but also simplify app management for your admin team.

内容的提问来源于stack exchange，提问作者Daniel Gomez Rico