Getting an automatic update on Google Play to work when the app is running 24/7?

Question

We have an app that we want to distribute in-house using the google play private channel. We want to be able to roll out automatic updates but the catch is our software is designed as a home screen.. so it is running 24/7

We have tried it and it seems like Google Play kicks the home screen when it automatically updates it. That is, it closes it and removes the setting for "always" when you click the home button.

Is there something we are doing wrong, or a better way to do this? We are planning to lease these devices and we can't have our customers playing with it as an android device.

Answer 1

Yes the OS removes the launcher as the default launcher when it gets updated. This happens to all launchers

Answer 2

When a receiver is registered or updated, Android resets any defaults for that receiver automatically. This shouldn't be circumvented, as it's intended as a security process. However, you could install your own version of the OS, and sign your app with the same key - then you would be able to pro grammatically set a default without the user's involvement.