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[ANDROID][9.0] Can Firefox build an updater into its Android App? I Don't use Google Play Services.

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  • Last reply by Paul

masstransitkrow
masstransitkrow
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I see Google Play Services as a huge risk to Android Security and the chief reason as to why it's so prone to exploitation. I've avoided many issues in the news because of my choice.

I have been having issues updating to version 68.5.0. I was able to update TOR and Fennec (which I know are based on Firefox) to this version without any issue. I only run into install issues if an app developer unwittingly or intentionally adds content that looks for Google Play Services on the device (like GOOGLE_PLAY_LICENSE_CHECK).

I would like to know if Firefox plans on building an updater into its Android app or making the download available directly from their site. I do not plan on reintroducing Play Services on my device. This form is being submitted on a Desktop Version of Firefox, but my concerns are about the Android version. I do not expect you to take this concern seriously. Prove me wrong.

I see Google Play Services as a huge risk to Android Security and the chief reason as to why it's so prone to exploitation. I've avoided many issues in the news because of my choice. I have been having issues updating to version 68.5.0. I was able to update TOR and Fennec (which I know are based on Firefox) to this version without any issue. I only run into install issues if an app developer unwittingly or intentionally adds content that looks for Google Play Services on the device (like GOOGLE_PLAY_LICENSE_CHECK). I would like to know if Firefox plans on building an updater into its Android app or making the download available directly from their site. I do not plan on reintroducing Play Services on my device. This form is being submitted on a Desktop Version of Firefox, but my concerns are about the Android version. I do not expect you to take this concern seriously. Prove me wrong.
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Paul
Paul
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Hi masstransitkrow

Thank you for your question which I know is a very valid one from talking to members of the wider open source community.

I am not aware of any plans to include an updater in Firefox for Android at the present time. If we were to do this, it would make the application size much bigger and we are keen that we keep the application size at such a level that many people all over the world can use it. As a result, at the present time, we only make Firefor for Android available through the Google Play store.

masstransitkrow
masstransitkrow Question owner
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I anticipated this kind of response. It's not impossible, however, to host the APK on Mozilla.org.

I will ultimately continue using Fennec, but if you guys truly believe in a free and open web, it would be very nice to have the app available on the site itself. The size of the APK is about 57 MB. Apps like Mycelium take up 58 MB and have an updater built in. Epic Games has a dedicated updater for apps it publishes. Minds offers its app on its website directly.

Your rationale is questionable. I avoided Play Services because I didn't want to be tethered to their battery life-sucking, privacy-invasive tools. I have begun asking this question to other developers, and I'm disappointed in the replies.

Paul
Paul
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Hi,

The people who answer questions here, for the most part, are other Firefox users volunteering their time (like me), not Mozilla employees or Firefox developers.

If you want to leave feedback for Firefox developers, you can go to the Firefox Help menu and select Submit Feedback... or use this link. Your feedback gets collected by a team of people who read it and gather data about the most common issues.