We have developed an app to be used in remote areas. This is an offline app that must run locally on a user’s device. How do we go about distributing our AppGyver app so that users can install it on their device without publishing the app to the app store? Is the AppGyver documentation on local distribution accurate and sufficient to get this done?
Regards: You can use the following methods:
Download the APK, then rename it to the name of the application and share it through social networks or messaging such as WhatsApp, Facebook, etc. (This is in the case that people have a data plan for social networks).
If the person has access to the Internet, you can upload the file to the private and free website to IceDriver Icedrive - Next-Generation Cloud Storage - Get 10GB Free and upload the file and share the link in SMS, social networks, Telegram channels, etc.
And if there is no Internet, it may be that someone goes and shares it from cell to cell phone that APK file via Bluetooth.
Note: If you download the AAB, although its size is smaller, it is actually only for distribution stores such as: AppGallery, Play Store, among others.
1 Like
Hi there, thank you for your reply. When you say download the APK, do you have a link to AppGyver documentation on how I can do this?
Thanks in advance!
1 Like
Hello: I was watching videos of how I could help you with your question. This video is in the Portuguese language, but just by watching it, you will already understand. Most of us on AppGyver have to do the steps of the video. Hope it will be very helpful.
Video link on how to compile a file from AppGyver and generate a Keystore file:
COMO GERAR APK ANDROID DO SEU APP NO APPGYVER #appgyver - YouTube
Link to the official website to download Keystore:
KeyStore Explorer (keystore-explorer.org)
Note: Remember that when you download the APK, you modify the name to your liking, you can also put the name of the application that is the most common, without removing the extension (.apk) as in the example in the image. (This is because some change the name and by not putting the terminal extension .apk, it generates another kind of file and can not be distributed in the different media unless you put the termination at the end .apk).
1 Like
@Slade_Rose1 Is this for iOS or Android or both? Your options heavily depend on which mobile device you are targeting.
1 Like
As @Adam_Wike says, we must also take into account whether it is for iOS or Android and even if it is for both operating systems; since the information I gave you is only for Android. Although there are also methods for iOS, but if its users are 100% Android, then it would be easier. (Good observation @Adam_Wike, thank you very much).
Thanks very much for all your replies. @Diagonal_Movil I followed the videos and was able to export eh APK and install it on my local device, thank you for that. The user base for the app is predominantly Android but we will have some IOS users, and so the next step is to figure out how to do it for IOS too. @Adam_Wike and @Diagonal_Movil is there a similar video on how to do this for IOS?
The only way I know to avoid the App Store completely would be to use the Apple Developer Enterprise Program - Apple Developer and that comes with its own set of complications. When I first started trying to develop applications, I had to use this method because Apple would not approve my application for the App Store. I ended up going away from it though because I wasn’t exactly following the rules when it came to meeting their criteria for using it. Assuming your business meets the criteria for the program, this might be a viable option for you. Although I’m not exactly sure AppGyver supports this method of distribution.
The other methods for private distribution are listed here: Set your app’s distribution methods - App Store Connect Help (apple.com). You might could use the direct link only method. This method would allow you to keep your app “off” the app store and not have to utilize an MDM. If you went this route, you would still follow their videos for distributing for iOS and just choose a different method once your app was in App Store Connect.
Also, check out this video: Explore unlisted app distribution - Tech Talks - Videos - Apple Developer
1 Like
It is feasible what @Adam_Wike tells you and I have heard it a lot with that same method. Although I sell iOS device in our store in Colombia, I have always been more of Android in that range and is little knowledge of compilation that I know on my part, since I am Android. But @Adam_Wike’s option is the most viable.