Plugin.XF.AppInstallHelper

Xamarin Form / Maui helper for install application

Support Android 4.4+ / iOS 10+ with Xamarin Form 5.0, Android 10+ / iOS13+ with Maui

For Android, please make sure the target framework is Android 12

Nuget installation path

Xamarin Forms

Install-Package Plugin.XF.AppInstallHelper

Maui

Install-Package Plugin.Maui.AppInstallHelper -Version 2.2.0-pre

Android

Configuration

1. Insert below xml text into AndroidManifest.xml inside tag, replace {packagename} to your app id

<manifest .....
   <!--Use for Download the APK, Read and wrtie it-->
	<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
	<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
	<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
  <!--Use for package installation-->
	<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INSTALL_PACKAGES" />
	<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES" />
  <application 
    ....
    <provider android:name="androidx.core.content.FileProvider" android:authorities="{packagename}.fileprovider" android:exported="false" android:grantUriPermissions="true">
      <meta-data android:name="android.support.FILE_PROVIDER_PATHS" android:resource="@xml/file_paths" />
    </provider>
    ....
  </application>
</manifest>

2. Create xml file named "file_paths.xml" in "Resources\xml" and Build action as "Android Resource"

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

3. In MainActivity.cs, initialze the library with your file provider authorities, replace {packagename} to your app id

// Xamarin Forms
protected override void OnCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState)

    base.OnCreate(savedInstanceState);
    .....
    Xamarin.Essentials.Platform.Init(this, savedInstanceState);
    global::Xamarin.Forms.Forms.Init(this, savedInstanceState);
    Plugin.XF.AppInstallHelper.InstallationHelper.Init("{packagename}.fileprovider");
    ....
    LoadApplication(new App());
}
  
public override void OnRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode, string[] permissions, [GeneratedEnum] Android.Content.PM.Permission[] grantResults)
{
	Xamarin.Essentials.Platform.OnRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);
	base.OnRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);
}
   
protected override void OnNewIntent(Intent intent)
{
	Plugin.XF.AppInstallHelper.InstallationHelper.OnNewIntent(intent);
	base.OnNewIntent(intent);
}

//Maui
public class MainActivity : MauiAppCompatActivity
{
	public MainActivity()
	{
	    Plugin.Maui.AppInstallHelper.InstallationHelper.Init("{packagename}.fileprovider");
	}
	public override void OnRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode, string[] permissions, [GeneratedEnum] Android.Content.PM.Permission[] grantResults)
	{
	    Platform.OnRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);
	    base.OnRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);
	}
	protected override void OnNewIntent(Intent intent)
	{
	    Plugin.Maui.AppInstallHelper.InstallationHelper.OnNewIntent(intent);
	    base.OnNewIntent(intent);
	}
}

4. Add LaunchMode.SingleTop to your MainActivity.cs

Activity(Label= "{app name}",LaunchMode = LaunchMode.SingleTop.....................)

iOS

iOS does not have any configuration. Api can be called directly.

Calling the API

The input path can be various. please follow below guide. Return bool which means the installation is triggered or not. It does not means installtion success.

Android(APK file)

APK file must located in external storage, otherwise, parse error will occur.

Pass the full file path to API. Install mode as OutOfAppStore

        string apkPath = System.IO.Path.Combine(Plugin.XF.AppInstallHelper.InstallationHelper.GetPublicDownloadPath(), "APK.APK");
	await Plugin.XF.AppInstallHelper.InstallationHelper.InstallApp(apkPath, Plugin.XF.AppInstallHelper.InstallMode.OutOfAppStore);

Android(Play store) Pass the package name to API. Install mode as AppStore

E.g. For the App chrome with play store url : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.android.chrome

Api parameter is com.android.chrome

	await Plugin.XF.AppInstallHelper.InstallationHelper.InstallApp("com.android.chrome", Plugin.XF.AppInstallHelper.InstallMode.AppStore);

iOS(Enterprise distribution or plist)

Pass the full itms-service url into API. make sure the plist is under https. Simulator is unavailable.

   await Plugin.XF.AppInstallHelper.InstallationHelper.InstallApp("itms-services:///?action=download-manifest&url=https://{iOS_app}.plist", Plugin.XF.AppInstallHelper.InstallMode.OutOfAppStore);

iOS(App store)

Pass the Id the Api. E.g. App store url is https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/apple-store/id375380948?mt=8.

The API call should be

   await Plugin.XF.AppInstallHelper.InstallationHelper.InstallApp("375380948", Plugin.XF.AppInstallHelper.InstallMode.AppStore);

Ask for storage permission

	//iOS default return true
	//Android 6 or above, depends on user decision
	//Below Android 6, default true
	bool allowed = await Plugin.XF.AppInstallHelper.InstallationHelper.AskForRequiredPermission();