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FlexibleĪ flexible update allows users to interact with the application while the update occurs in the background. This method is preferred when the update introduces critical functionalities. The app will automatically restart when the update is completed. When a user starts the update, he/she can’t use the application until the update is installed. The immediate update introduces a blocking full-screen UI. We will discuss the two methods to implement in-app updates: immediate and flexible.
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In this guide, we will learn about Google’s in-app updates and implement them in our applications. Users do not have to open the Google Play store to initiate the update. The API introduces an update UI within your application to notify users to update to the newly available application version. This API alerts users whenever you have a new version on the Google Play store. To solve this problem, Google I/O introduced an in-app update API. This means that they will take time before switching to the latest version. Some users lack the interest or time to open the Google Play store and update their applications. The only way the user can access these functionalities is by updating the application. Yet, you have added new critical features or fixed a bug to the app. Suppose a user has your application installed on their mobile phone. It is, therefore, important for users to know when your application has a new update available.
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However, this is mainly for users who have enabled the auto-update feature. Google notifies Android users whenever updates are available for certain applications. We want everyone to use the latest features included in the updates. As developers, we always want users to update their applications to the latest version quickly.
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