How to Get Play Store App Version on Android Programmatically

Getting the Play Store app version on Android programmatically can be useful in a variety of scenarios. Whether you’re a developer looking to track app usage, a user curious about the version of an installed app, or someone troubleshooting an issue related to a specific app version, knowing how to retrieve this information can be valuable. In this blog post, we will explore different methods to get the Play Store app version on Android programmatically, highlighting their pros and cons.

What’s Needed

To get the Play Store app version on Android, you will need:

• An Android device running version 2.2 (Froyo) or higher
• An active internet connection

Video Tutorial:

What Requires Your Focus?

Here are a few key points to consider when getting the Play Store app version on Android programmatically:

• Understanding the different methods available
• Being aware of the pros and cons associated with each method
• Implementing the chosen method in your Android application

Option 1. How to Get Play Store App Version via PackageManager

The PackageManager class in Android provides a method called `getPackageInfo()`, which allows us to retrieve information about installed applications, including the version. Here’s how you can use this method to get the Play Store app version:

Step 1: In your Android application, import the `PackageManager` class:

"`java
import android.content.pm.PackageManager;
"`

Step 2: Use the `getPackageInfo()` method to retrieve the version name and version code of the Play Store app:

"`java
try {
PackageManager packageManager = getPackageManager();
String playStorePackageName = "com.android.vending"; // Package name of the Play Store app

// Get package info for the Play Store app
PackageInfo packageInfo = packageManager.getPackageInfo(playStorePackageName, 0);

// Retrieve version name and version code
String versionName = packageInfo.versionName;
int versionCode = packageInfo.versionCode;

// Use versionName and versionCode as desired
} catch (PackageManager.NameNotFoundException e) {
// Play Store app is not installed
}
"`

Pros:

• Simple and straightforward implementation
• Does not require any additional dependencies

Cons:

• May not work if the Play Store app is not installed on the device

Option 2. How to Get Play Store App Version via Google Play Services

Another approach to get the Play Store app version on Android is by using the Google Play Services API. This method requires integrating the Google Play Services library into your Android application. Here’s how you can use this method:

Step 1: Add the Google Play Services dependency to your app’s build.gradle file:

"`groovy
implementation ‘com.google.android.gms:play-services-auth:19.0.0’
"`

Step 2: In your Android application, import the necessary classes:

"`java
import com.google.android.gms.common.GoogleApiAvailability;
import com.google.android.gms.common.GooglePlayServicesNotAvailableException;
import com.google.android.gms.common.GooglePlayServicesRepairableException;
import com.google.android.gms.common.ConnectionResult;
import com.google.android.gms.common.GoogleApiAvailability;
"`

Step 3: Use the `isGooglePlayServicesAvailable()` method to check if Google Play Services is available on the device:

"`java
int resultCode = GoogleApiAvailability.getInstance().isGooglePlayServicesAvailable(this);
if (resultCode == ConnectionResult.SUCCESS) {
// Google Play Services is available
} else {
// Google Play Services is not available
}
"`

Step 4: Use the `getPackageInfo()` method to retrieve the version name and version code of the Play Store app:

"`java
try {
PackageManager packageManager = getPackageManager();
String playStorePackageName = "com.android.vending"; // Package name of the Play Store app

// Get package info for the Play Store app
PackageInfo packageInfo = packageManager.getPackageInfo(playStorePackageName, 0);

// Retrieve version name and version code
String versionName = packageInfo.versionName;
int versionCode = packageInfo.versionCode;

// Use versionName and versionCode as desired
} catch (PackageManager.NameNotFoundException e) {
// Play Store app is not installed
} catch (GooglePlayServicesNotAvailableException | GooglePlayServicesRepairableException e) {
// Google Play Services is not available or is in need of an update
}
"`

Pros:

• Reliable method that works even if the Play Store app is not installed
• Provides access to other Google Play Services APIs if needed

Cons:

• Requires integrating the Google Play Services library into your Android application
• Extra steps involved in checking for Google Play Services availability

Option 3. How to Get Play Store App Version via Web Scraping

If you prefer a more unconventional approach, you can retrieve the Play Store app version by scraping the web. This method involves making an HTTP request to the Play Store website and parsing the HTML response to extract the version information. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Add the Internet permission to your app’s AndroidManifest.xml file:

"`xml

"`

Step 2: In your Android application, import the necessary classes:

"`java
import java.io.BufferedReader;
import java.io.InputStreamReader;
import java.net.HttpURLConnection;
import java.net.URL;
"`

Step 3: Make an HTTP GET request to the Play Store website:

"`java
try {
String playStoreUrl = "https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.android.vending”; // URL of the Play Store app page

URL url = new URL(playStoreUrl);
HttpURLConnection connection = (HttpURLConnection) url.openConnection();
connection.setRequestMethod("GET");

int responseCode = connection.getResponseCode();

if (responseCode == HttpURLConnection.HTTP_OK) {
BufferedReader reader = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(connection.getInputStream()));

String line;
StringBuilder response = new StringBuilder();

while ((line = reader.readLine()) != null) {
response.append(line);
}

// Parse the HTML response to extract the version information
// …

reader.close();
}
} catch (Exception e) {
// Error occurred while making the HTTP request
}
"`

Pros:

• Can retrieve the Play Store app version even if the Play Store app is not installed

Cons:

• Relies on web scraping, which can be fragile due to changes in the website structure
• Requires parsing the HTML response, which may not be straightforward

Option 4. How to Get Play Store App Version via APK File

If you have access to the APK file of the Play Store app, you can extract the version information directly from the file. However, this method requires obtaining the APK file through alternative means, as it is not readily available on regular Android devices. Here’s how you can extract the version information from the APK file:

Step 1: Copy the APK file to the local storage of the Android device.

Step 2: In your Android application, import the `PackageInfo` class:

"`java
import android.content.pm.PackageInfo;
"`

Step 3: Use the `getPackageArchiveInfo()` method to retrieve the version name and version code from the APK file:

"`java
try {
String apkFilePath = "/path/to/play-store.apk"; // Path to the APK file

PackageInfo packageInfo = getPackageManager().getPackageArchiveInfo(apkFilePath, 0);

if (packageInfo != null) {
String versionName = packageInfo.versionName;
int versionCode = packageInfo.versionCode;

// Use versionName and versionCode as desired
}
} catch (Exception e) {
// Error occurred while processing the APK file
}
"`

Pros:

• Allows access to version information even without an internet connection

Cons:

• Requires obtaining the APK file through alternative means
• Not applicable if you don’t have access to the Play Store app’s APK file

Why Can’t I Retrieve the Play Store App Version?

If you’re unable to retrieve the Play Store app version using any of the methods mentioned above, here are some alternative solutions you can try:

• Check if the device has the Play Services library installed and up to date. If not, prompt the user to update it.
• Redirect the user to the Play Store website using an intent, where they can manually check the app version.
• Use an external API or service that provides app version information for the Play Store app.

Implications and Recommendations

When retrieving the Play Store app version on Android, it’s essential to consider the following:

• Be mindful of the dependencies and prerequisites required for each method.
• Consider the reliability and accuracy of the version information obtained.
• Ensure your implementation handles cases when the Play Store app is not installed or not available.

The Bottom Line

Getting the Play Store app version on Android programmatically can be achieved through various methods, including PackageManager, Google Play Services API, web scraping, or extracting from the APK file. Each method has its pros and cons, and it’s crucial to choose the one that best suits your requirements and constraints.

5 FAQs about Getting the Play Store App Version on Android

Q1: Can I get the Play Store app version without internet access?

A1:

No, all the methods described in this blog post require an active internet connection to retrieve the Play Store app version.

Q2: What happens if the Play Store app is not installed on the device?

A2:

In most cases, the methods relying on the Play Store app being installed will throw a `PackageManager.NameNotFoundException` exception when trying to retrieve the package info.

Q3: Is web scraping a reliable method to get the Play Store app version?

A3:

Web scraping can be less reliable compared to other methods since it relies on parsing the HTML structure of the Play Store website. Any changes to the website’s structure can break the scraping process.

Q4: What if I don’t have access to the Play Store app’s APK file?

A4:

If you don’t have access to the Play Store app’s APK file, the method relying on it won’t be applicable. You can explore other methods mentioned in this blog post or consider alternative solutions.

Q5: Are there any limitations to using Google Play Services API?

A5:

While using the Google Play Services API provides a reliable way to get the Play Store app version, it requires integrating the API into your application and checking for Google Play Services availability. Additionally, using the API may have implications on the overall app size and performance.