Install Application programmatically on Android

Question

I`m interested in knowing if it is possible to programmatically install a dynamically downloaded apk from a custom Android application.

Answer 1

try this

String filePath = cursor.getString(cursor.getColumnIndex(DownloadManager.COLUMN_LOCAL_FILENAME));
String title = filePath.substring( filePath.lastIndexOf('/')+1, filePath.length() );
Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
intent.setDataAndType(Uri.fromFile(new File(filePath)), "application/vnd.android.package-archive");
intent.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK); // without this flag android returned a intent error!
MainActivity.this.startActivity(intent);

Answer 2

Well, I digged deeper, and found sources of PackageInstaller application from Android Source.

https://github.com/android/platform_packages_apps_packageinstaller

From manifest I found that it require permission:

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

And the actual process of installation occurs after confirmation

Intent newIntent = new Intent();
newIntent.putExtra(PackageUtil.INTENT_ATTR_APPLICATION_INFO, mPkgInfo.applicationInfo);
newIntent.setData(mPackageURI);
newIntent.setClass(this, InstallAppProgress.class);
String installerPackageName = getIntent().getStringExtra(Intent.EXTRA_INSTALLER_PACKAGE_NAME);
if (installerPackageName != null) {
   newIntent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_INSTALLER_PACKAGE_NAME, installerPackageName);
}
startActivity(newIntent);