The in-app update feature in Android allows developers to prompt users to update their app while they are using it, without needing to go to the Google Play Store. This is particularly useful for critical updates or important feature releases that you want to ensure users adopt quickly. There are two types of in-app updates in Android:
- Flexible Update:
- This type of update allows the user to continue using the app while the update is downloaded and installed in the background.
- Once the update is ready, the user is prompted to restart the app to apply the update.
- Immediate Update:
- An immediate update is more intrusive as it prompts the user to update the app immediately.
- The user can't continue using the app until the update is installed.
App Availability on Play Store:
- Your app needs to be published on the Google Play Store with a version code that is higher than the version currently installed on users' devices. This is how the Play Store recognizes that there is an update available.