Bimmerpost App Android Users, read here!

Hi as some of you are aware (or are becoming aware), the Android App has been on its death bed for some time. This is because we cannot submit to the Google Play store anymore (not due to anything bad per se, but that we cannot comply with some of the rules / regs of the Play Store).

With that said a lot of people have been asking me to release the APK directly. I’m still hesitant to do this and so I might just pull it at any time. With that said, if anyone is interested in directly downloading the APK from me and installing it directly just drop me a PM and I can provide it to you.

Keep in mind if you do this I cannot give you any guarantees it works on your device (the play store does that kind of compatibility check which is a big benefit of the store) and I also cannot guarantee it will work forever since like I mention I might have to pull it again if I notice any security issues with it.

Also if you do install it directly THERE IS NO GOING BACK. Since its not available in the play store anymore, if you delete that and replace with this one and then I pull it at a later time then that’s that.

I’m really truly sorry it has to be like this, but I’m not sure if I want to release the app like this, but a few of you have mentioned you don’t care and just want to use the newest *functional* version so that’s what I’m offering here. Just send me a PM/DM. I’m still working on some late minute details to make sure it functions correctly in this weird form so I might not reply immediately

what is it about the process that you cannot comply with?

Man, that really sucks as I enjoyed the app. If you can't make it work due to Google, then you can't make it work and that's totally fine. This isn't the end of the world so don't stress about it. There's a really good community here so people will still try to find ways to access it. Just wish that I could do it through the app as it was quick and convenient.

Edit: got it to work again! Logged in and using it.

Bumpinjeep wrote

Man, that really sucks as I enjoyed the app. If you can't make it work due to Google, then you can't make it work and that's totally fine. This isn't the end of the world so don't stress about it. There's a really good community here so people will still try to find ways to access it. Just wish that I could do it through the app as it was quick and convenient.

Edit: got it to work again! Logged in and using it.

Yes I patched a few things to get it able to login again. Who knows when it will break again tho, so if you want that new version just let me know

For anyone interested, the last version posted in the Playstore is 6.7.0. There's several apk repository sites where this version can be downloaded to reinstall in the event future versions are pulled.

apptest I'm interested but I'd be even more interested if you were able to host it in the Samsung Galaxy store as an alternative to the Playstore.

claykin wrote

For anyone interested, the last version posted in the Playstore is 6.7.0. There's several apk repository sites where this version can be downloaded to reinstall in the event future versions are pulled.

apptest I'm interested but I'd be even more interested if you were able to host it in the Samsung Galaxy store as an alternative to the Playstore.

No I wont be directly publishing there. As for the independent APK downloads, I’m personally always weary of that because who knows what malware those hosts may be injecting into the app. I would only trust the play store itself TBH.

Interesting the entire 0 people have contacted me about directly getting the APK which underlines the entire problem with this, how do I effectly keep the app updated since people aren’t (rightfully) coming here everyday to check for an update>. They expect the phone system just update it for them, which gets lost with a direct APK download. With that said I did build in a basic updater into the app itself to try and force people to update it if need be

apptest wrote

No I wont be directly publishing there. As for the independent APK downloads, I’m personally always weary of that because who knows what malware those hosts may be injecting into the app. I would only trust the play store itself TBH.

Interesting the entire 0 people have contacted me about directly getting the APK which underlines the entire problem with this, how do I effectly keep the app updated since people aren’t (rightfully) coming here everyday to check for an update>. They expect the phone system just update it for them, which gets lost with a direct APK download. With that said I did build in a basic updater into the app itself to try and force people to update it if need be

Create a button on the front page of the app for app updates. Make it a VERY visual reminder.
Just an idea.

Brandoch wrote

Create a button on the front page of the app for app updates. Make it a VERY visual reminder.
Just an idea.

Yea it has something like that. A large banner 😀

apptest wrote

No I wont be directly publishing there. As for the independent APK downloads, I’m personally always weary of that because who knows what malware those hosts may be injecting into the app. I would only trust the play store itself TBH.

Interesting the entire 0 people have contacted me about directly getting the APK which underlines the entire problem with this, how do I effectly keep the app updated since people aren’t (rightfully) coming here everyday to check for an update>. They expect the phone system just update it for them, which gets lost with a direct APK download. With that said I did build in a basic updater into the app itself to try and force people to update it if need be

I have another solution to save V6.7.0 for safe keeping if it was downloaded to your device through the Playstore. Before upgrading, open Google Files app. Open the list of applications on your device. Scroll to find Bimmerpost. Click on the three dots next to Bimmerpost and select Share. Send the Bimmerpost apk to the destination of your choice. Now you'll have a backup of 6.7.0 in case you need to roll back. No concerns of malware

As far as Android users coming here to ask for the apk, this section of the forum is for a tiny segment of your user base. I would suggest you place a link in the News section or a sticky on top of each forum. That would be a better way to evaluate interest. That said, your average user reading this thread will be scared off by your statements claiming "there's no going back".

You have options. You can host your apk updates as well as offer 6.7.0 for those who want to roll back. You can have your android app ping your update server and if an update is available display a pop-up in the app. Yes, I fully understand there's other challenges such as forcing the user to disable security features temporarily to side load the update.

I appreciate this forum and also appreciate you continuing to update the Android version in spite of the challenges.

I'm interested. Please let me know when it's ready for real world use.

claykin wrote

I have another solution to save V6.7.0 for safe keeping if it was downloaded to your device through the Playstore. Before upgrading, open Google Files app. Open the list of applications on your device. Scroll to find Bimmerpost. Click on the three dots next to Bimmerpost and select Share. Send the Bimmerpost apk to the destination of your choice. Now you'll have a backup of 6.7.0 in case you need to roll back. No concerns of malware

As far as Android users coming here to ask for the apk, this section of the forum is for a tiny segment of your user base. I would suggest you place a link in the News section or a sticky on top of each forum. That would be a better way to evaluate interest. That said, your average user reading this thread will be scared off by your statements claiming "there's no going back".

You have options. You can host your apk updates as well as offer 6.7.0 for those who want to roll back. You can have your android app ping your update server and if an update is available display a pop-up in the app. Yes, I fully understand there's other challenges such as forcing the user to disable security features temporarily to side load the update.

I appreciate this forum and also appreciate you continuing to update the Android version in spite of the challenges.

I'm interested. Please let me know when it's ready for real world use.

It’s ready. When you want to try it just drop me a pm. But be sure 😀😀

@apptest et al - I just saw this posted in another forum, and thought that it was worth sharing because side-loading apps will soon be next to impossible with Google requiring authors to jump through their flaming identity-verification hoops and pay a fee even if you *don't* distribute through their Play store:

https://keepandroidopen.org/

Glad that I don't use Android.....

vreihen16 wrote

@apptest et al - I just saw this posted in another forum, and thought that it was worth sharing because side-loading apps will soon be next to impossible with Google requiring authors to jump through their flaming identity-verification hoops and pay a fee even if you *don't* distribute through their Play store:

https://keepandroidopen.org/

Glad that I don't use Android.....

That's a shame, seems like this door might be closing soon. I wonder even if someone installs the APK today, would it still be able to run after the OS update or would it also get locked out

apptest wrote

That's a shame, seems like this door might be closing soon. I wonder even if someone installs the APK today, would it still be able to run after the OS update or would it also get locked out

I think that the big deterrent is having to wait 24 hours after turning developer mode on before side-loading apps.

The first question that popped into my head was if a side-loaded app would be permitted to install other apps or update itself once Google enables that protection?????

vreihen16 wrote

The first question that popped into my head was if a side-loaded app would be permitted to install other apps or update itself once Google enables that protection?????

I read a news of a malware taking this path (introducing a "legal" version and updating it for the purpose later) through the Google Play the other day.

No installations/updates by default (without a direct permission) must be allowed, of course! Shitting into someone's property (device) at your own discretion is something outstanding (I mean, some "take the liberty" already)!

No one wrote

vreihen16 wrote

The first question that popped into my head was if a side-loaded app would be permitted to install other apps or update itself once Google enables that protection?????

I read a news of a malware taking this path (introducing a "legal" version and updating it for the purpose later) through the Google Play the other day.

No installations/updates by default (without a direct permission) must be allowed, of course! Shitting into someone's property (device) at your own discretion is something outstanding (I mean, some "take the liberty" already)!

I could imagine this happening with apps. I made the android app on our end just throw a banner up saying the app is out of date and give you a link to download the update and install it. As vreihen16 says, I do have a feeling this might be a moot point if android won't allow this kind of install in the future. I have been putting alot of effort into the mobile view with the new Web 2.0 site, as even in the best of days alot of android people seemed to prefer using the site through chrome then through a dedicated app. We shall see..

You can PM me the .apk file. I'll take you up on that offer if its still on. The old .apk app doesn't load news images anymore and its driving me nuts

I'm currently running v7.0.6 Android. I'm looking for the latest version. Please send the apk or link to download.

thesanmarinoblues wrote

what is it about the process that you cannot comply with?

Cannot comply? Or won't comply...many wonder.

Edgar_FriendlyX3M wrote

Cannot comply? Or won't comply...many wonder.

My thoughts exactly.


Admins still avoid the question, so whatever. I'll run the one from the play store until that dies, and then that's that.


With all the plans to severely limit the sideloading capabilities of Android, I don't see how this is a reliable method going forward.

I’ve literally answered this so many times in multiple threads. I can throw that awesome well thought out comment right back at ya. And yea tbh I got 0 requests until about a day ago for the app so even that effort was sort of wasted. But TBH I can’t blame anyone for not doing it. I wouldn’t side load an app myself either. With that said I’ve closed the door on the android app and the one you have now will stop working soon as well

apptest wrote

I’ve literally answered this so many times in multiple threads. I can throw that awesome well thought out comment right back at ya. And yea tbh I got 0 requests until about a day ago for the app so even that effort was sort of wasted. But TBH I can’t blame anyone for not doing it. I wouldn’t side load an app myself either. With that said I’ve closed the door on the android app and the one you have now will stop working soon as well

Not happy! Disappointing! The web version isn't polished. The various forums (bmw model to model) all look and behave differently. Sometimes my login credentials aren't kept and I'm forced to login again when switching between forums. There's no way to see "new posts" within a forum (your new posts link shows global new posts in the web version). Switching between forums is a problem because your "other sites" menu doesn't work. I can't even open the user profile window without switching to view the website as a desktop site. And on and on and on ....

I understand you're not getting a lot of traction for the android beta, but unless users come to this section of the forum they won't even know what you're doing to address android. You have thousands of Android users, yet you're measuring interest based on the tiny number who visit this remote section of the forum. Then there's the reason why you can't be in the Android Playstore. If this was such an issue why aren't other Android apps dropping support and leaving the Playstore? Whatever Google changed which is causing you to drop support, hasn't been an epidemic problem with other apps. So, I can't help to wonder why this Google policy can't be worked around or complied with?

Anyway, big bmw fan feeling like I'll be visiting less once the app quits working. Wish it could be different.

claykin wrote

Not happy! Disappointing! The web version isn't polished. The various forums (bmw model to model) all look and behave differently. Sometimes my login credentials aren't kept and I'm forced to login again when switching between forums. There's no way to see "new posts" within a forum (your new posts link shows global new posts in the web version). Switching between forums is a problem because your "other sites" menu doesn't work. I can't even open the user profile window without switching to view the website as a desktop site. And on and on and on ....

I understand you're not getting a lot of traction for the android beta, but unless users come to this section of the forum they won't even know what you're doing to address android. You have thousands of Android users, yet you're measuring interest based on the tiny number who visit this remote section of the forum. Then there's the reason why you can't be in the Android Playstore. If this was such an issue why aren't other Android apps dropping support and leaving the Playstore? Whatever Google changed which is causing you to drop support, hasn't been an epidemic problem with other apps. So, I can't help to wonder why this Google policy can't be worked around or complied with?

Anyway, big bmw fan feeling like I'll be visiting less once the app quits working. Wish it could be different.

Eventually every site will be on the new Web 2.0 format so that’s where the effort will be and the mobile view there is going to get major improvements over the coming weeks. The goal is to get it to the highest level of polish. So it’s better to put effort there than to dwell on the past. It has so many iterations and improvements in store.

This is not at attack in anyway, just facts I want to lay out. We did talk via DM but this might be relevant to others.

First, the numbers you cite are nowhere near reality. The conjecture is flat out wrong.

Let me put some other innuendo (from others) to rest as best as possible. Whatever much you like the android app, I love it 1000x more. I created every line of code, every single icon placement, every font position, every minor detail were literally years of pain and love and soul. If you’ve ever created anything you might understand. So to say I am dropping android support for (fill in the blank reason) is straight up crazy talk. So you can wonder all you want about the decisions but also take a moment to wonder why someone who has spent over 10 years making the app would not want it in the store. I really don’t want to go into it any more then that, we are redirecting to making the web better then the app on the android side.

On the flip side, we have so many people here who have been helping a huge amount with getting the new Web 2.0 site up to snuff with good bug catches and suggestions for improvements. I have no doubt that as android people turn to using it on their phones the same thing will happen and you will be the side beneficiary of that. But it takes time. The first 4 versions of the android app were nowhere near the polish of version 6, which is also nowhere near the polish of the iOS version 7.

Have faith