Setting for Automatic Updates

The way I understand updates is that, if my device is not rooted, then it is not possible for apps to automatically be updated. As far as I know, my Samsung S7 is not rooted, but I have the option within my F-Droid settings to download updates in the background. I also have that option checked, but am still manually prompted update apps. @pserwylo Can you explain the “Automatically download updates” setting? Should this be an option if your phone is not rooted?

This issue came up in the field tests. Users saw this option and thought they could have apps update automatically, which, as I understand, is not the case for a majority of users.

This is not at issue, it works as advertised (no root required to download some apk files), it just downloads the packages, not sure why anyone would think this will also install them when installation is only mentioned way below at the extention (that you can't check anyway if you do not have root)

/Close as invalid

I came here to comment that the lack of auto-updating is a problem. If a user has more then 10 apps and they are all prompting the user to manually update it becomes a pain, way harder to use then the play store.

Also if the phone is unattended and needs new updates for security reasons the user is totally #%!@ED because they aren't there to manually update the software.

I agree, but the only (non-root) solution would be to initiate install, so the user only presses one INSTALL button, the one from the package manager (not F-Droid), it's a bit better.

The "unattended and needs new updates for security" part sounds like you need to roll your own ROM and wire that with a system installed F-Droid or something, again, kinda out of scope (at the moment).

Can you explain the “Automatically download updates” setting? Should this be an option if your phone is not rooted?

I can see why this is confusing in the current F-Droid. However in light of your recent mockups it makes more sense:

Note how here there is a clear distinction between apps which were downloaded and are now ready to update (when the user hits the "Update" button), and apps which require downloading before they can be updated. The expected behaviour of this "Automatically download updates" would be as follows:

If non rooted:

• It should probably stay as "Automatically download updates"
• Then, the "Updates" view (see your mockup above) will have a "Update" button next to each app after the download is complete.

If rooted:

• Perhaps it should be renamed "Automatically update apps"
• When enabled, apps would be automatically downloaded and then installed in the background.

I don't really like the idea of renaming preferences based on the presence of the priviledged installer though, so may need to come up with a better workflow.

Thank you all for the explanation. I just wanted to give more background on what was discovered in the user test. In the non-rooted case, the user glanced at the screen and saw 'Automatically download updates'. This was in the Zimbabwe tests, where a majority of users get their apps from Google Play. To the user, this meant that updates would be downloaded and installed automatically instead of him having to do anything manually, because that is how he currently understands automatic updates working.

In reality, users will only read the first line of the settings. I would recommend re-wording it so that it doesn't give the slightest impression that the update process would be done automatically in the non-rooted case.

mentioned in issue #709 (closed)

So do we have any suggestions on this?

• "Auto download apps ready to install"
• "Auto download apps in background"
• "Download apps automatically"
• Something else?

If we can't come up with anything better that "Automatically download updates", then what do we think about the improvements to the "Updates" screen clearing this up via its improved UX? Specifically, after this "Auto download of apps", the user will see a red badge with, e.g. "3" on top of the "Updates" tab, and when they go there, they will see a list of apps that have been downloaded with "Update" buttons next to them. If that is okay, I'll close this issue.

I like your first option. I would add updates to make it most clear.

"Auto download app updates ready to install" with the sub-text -- "Updates are downloaded automatically and you are notified to install them"

The main thing we want to do is not give the impression that updates will be downloaded automatically (like on Google Play) without the user having to install them.

The main thing we want to do is not give the impression that updates will be downloaded automatically (like on Google Play) without the user having to install them.

Lol, to clarify, I think you mean:

The main thing we want to do is not give the impression that updates will be downloaded installed automatically (like on Google Play) without the user having to install them.

Anyway, it turns out that "Auto download app updates ready to install" is too long for the settings screen. They have to stay to one line:

I like your subtext though, so how about some more ideas:

• Automatically fetch updates ("Updates are downloaded automatically and you are notified to install them")
• Automatically prepare updates ("Updates are downloaded automatically and you are notified to install them")

ha. Thanks for clarifying for me. :)

I like "Automatically fetch updates"

closed via merge request !453 (merged)