Assuming that I have the Play store setting to auto-update my apps, does a sideloaded app also get updated if that particular app is in the play store? I need to keep an older version of a specific app, but would like my others to update.
Assuming that I have the Play store setting to auto-update my apps, does a sideloaded app also get updated if that particular app is in the play store? I need to keep an older version of a specific app, but would like my others to update.
Yes. If it's the same exact file as in the store it'll update.
Apps have digital signatures, each one used to verify the developer created this version and it's not a malicious version.
Apps also have package names, something unique to each one. Often they'd use a URL scheme like com.google.maps
Apps also have version attributes as part of each build. They have to be incremental. Last week I may have version 1. After an update this week I'll publish version 2. (There's a version label that is generally seen)
So if the play store version of the package name has a higher version number, and the signature is the same, it will not distinguish a sideloaded and non-sideloaded app and so will conduct the update.
Sideloaded, no.
Based on previous experience with incompatible apps on other devices it'll depend. If the app has the same signature and is eventually marked compatible it will, if you re sign it or it's never marked compatible it won't