If the permission is granted, the native/session APK installer still handles every install and update, including its “Do you want to install/update this app?” popup. Only root and system apps can do installs and updates silently.
Huh? I’m pretty sure fdroid did a silent update without asking me. I think Aurora store also did silent updates. I mean, I still have to allow it once, then afterwards it didn’t need my permission.
What android version are you on? I’m on the latest Android 14.
I’m on Android 13. The following installation methods are available in Aurora Store, and all except Root produce confirmation popups.
Session installer ⚫
Session based installer for bundled/split APKs
Recommended, in-built and supports all Android versionsNative installer (Deprecated) ⚫
Intent based installer, available on all devices
Best suited for devices running below Android 4.4Root installer 🔘
Shell based installer using root permissions
Requires root/superuser privileges, supports all Android versions.
Ah so its has to be a new Android 14 feature.
So basically: If you’ve done at least 1 update using a third-party appstore for an app, it automatically give permission for third-party appstores to update that particular app for future updates, without prompting the user.
Edit: wait, I just googled it and apparantly, you could already allow third party app stores do silents updates since android 12. The android 14 update is basically just allowing the third party app store that first installs the app to become the “Update Owner” to block other app stores (including Google Play) from updating the owns under the third-party store’s “ownership”.
So I think you could already do that on any device Android 12 or later. Just try to do an update using the app, then wait for the next update to see if the update prompt goes away, which it should go away.