How to restart self package after update

Question

I'm writing the MDM app, that can update itself via PM (pm install -r my.apk). A several services in my app should be started after update. Can I do this? Devices are rooted.

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 14 '17 at 15:02

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Actually, it is possible.

I had the same issue, i needed to update my app and restart it afterwards. I solved it like this:

String command = "pm install -r " + filename + ";am start -n com.example.myapp/com.example.myapp.Start";

This will install your app, and afterwards call "am start" to launch the app again. Just replace com.example.myapp with your package name, and the parameter after the / is the activity you want to launch.

I know this is an old post, but i came across it when i was searching for a solution, so maybe this can help others in the future :)

answered Mar 14 '17 at 15:02

Dan

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It works on one of my devices (Android 4.4, but doesn't work on the other - Android 5.1). I haven't found a way (yet) to make it work on both – Marcin Mar 20 '17 at 07:55
Are both devices rooted? – Dan Apr 05 '17 at 11:45
I can confirm that this works on android 4.4 but not android 5.1 (both rooted devices) – Joel Oct 11 '19 at 01:32

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 20 '16 at 14:14

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I am afraid that self update is not possible. While self updating your app, system will kill process performing update.

You have two options:

create second app that will execute pm install -r my.apk safely
create simple update script in shell and make it run on device boot

answered Jan 20 '16 at 14:14

Dominik Suszczewicz

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@Dan i try to use your solution but sometime it works and sometime it unable to launch back main activity. Is there any other suitable way to do this as i dont want to make a separate application for this purpose. I have rooted device so may be there is a way to restart application main activity using command only. – user565 Mar 27 '18 at 16:19

How to restart self package after update

2 Answers2