In App Update API always returns 1 (UPDATE_NOT_AVAILABLE)

Question

I am using In-App Update API in the application for Update Application while the new version is available in play store.

module gradle

defaultConfig {
        applicationId "xxx.xxxxx"
        minSdkVersion 21
        targetSdkVersion 28
        versionCode rootProject.ext.vCode
        versionName rootProject.ext.vName
        testInstrumentationRunner "android.support.test.runner.AndroidJUnitRunner"
    }

Last upload version(Live in Playstore)

vCode = 5
vName = "1.0.4"

project gradle (downgrade it for the testing)

vCode = 4
vName = "1.0.3"

Downgrade this version for the testing update available or not.

MainActivity.kt

class MainActivity : AppCompatActivity() {
    private var appUpdateManager: AppUpdateManager? = null

    override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
        appUpdateManager = AppUpdateManagerFactory.create(this)
    }

    override fun onResume() {
        super.onResume()
            checkForVersionUpdate()
    }


    private fun checkForVersionUpdate() {
            appUpdateManager?.appUpdateInfo?.addOnSuccessListener { appUpdateInfo ->
                if ((appUpdateInfo.updateAvailability() == UpdateAvailability.DEVELOPER_TRIGGERED_UPDATE_IN_PROGRESS)) {
                    // If an in-app update is already running, resume the update.
                    startUpdateFlow(appUpdateInfo)
                } else if (appUpdateInfo.updateAvailability() == UpdateAvailability.UPDATE_AVAILABLE
                        && appUpdateInfo.isUpdateTypeAllowed(IMMEDIATE)) {
                    startUpdateFlow(appUpdateInfo)
                }
            }
    }

    private fun startUpdateFlow(appUpdateInfo: AppUpdateInfo) {
        try {
            appUpdateManager?.startUpdateFlowForResult(
                    appUpdateInfo,
                    IMMEDIATE,
                    this,
                    123)
        } catch (e: InvocationTargetException) {
            e.printStackTrace()
        } catch (e: IntentSender.SendIntentException) {
            e.printStackTrace()
        }
    }

    override fun onActivityResult(requestCode: Int, resultCode: Int, data: Intent?) {
        if (requestCode == 123) {
            if (resultCode != RESULT_OK) {
                Log.i("Update failed code:", resultCode.toString())
                // If the update is cancelled or fails,
                // you can request to start the update again.
            } else if(resultCode == RESULT_CANCELED)
                checkForVersionUpdate()
        }
    }
}

I last uploaded build in play store with App Bundle(.aab) and Open Beta.

Tried following ways.

• Sign apk with the same package name.
• Clear Playstore apk cache and storage.
• Download apk from playstore and uninstall it from device. then after downgrade version code and sign apk and install it in device. Still not showing update app dialog.

Answer 1

Contrary to other answers that say that test build must be in release mode or has to be uploaded to Play Console Test track - that is all wrong, nowhere in the documentation there is any mention of any of that.

If you meet requirements API >= 21 && have internet connection and face this issue, do the following to resolve:

• Confirm that your test build has lower version code than what's in production
• Clear Storage & Cache for PlayStore app
• Open play store using account that has previously downloaded the app
• Navigate to your app listing in PlayStore and confirm that "Update" button is showing.

It seems like a caching issue with PlayStore and above steps refresh it. After that you'll be able to test In App Updates even in debug mode.