Android users often find themselves navigating a landscape where app updates can vary significantly based on distribution channels. While apps available on Google Play and F-Droid provide seamless update notifications, those hosted solely on platforms like GitHub require a more hands-on approach, necessitating manual downloads and installations. Enter Obtainium, a tool designed to streamline the update process for Android applications distributed through release pages such as GitHub.
Features of Obtainium
Obtainium stands out by offering a suite of features that enhance the user experience:
- Support for over 10 app distribution sites, including popular source code hosting platforms like GitHub and GitLab.
- Compatibility with various release methods, allowing for flexibility in app management.
- Customizable filtering and settings tailored to user preferences.
- Ability to extract APK files from HTML, even from sites that do not explicitly support it.
- Data import and export functionalities, facilitating the sharing of app settings among users.
Installation Process
To begin using Obtainium, users can download it from several sources, including:
For this guide, we will focus on installing Obtainium via F-Droid. Ensure that the F-Droid app is already installed on your device. Follow these steps:
- Open the official GitHub repository on your smartphone.
- Tap the F-Droid banner located in the ‘Installation’ section.
- The F-Droid app will launch, directing you to the Obtainium page. Tap the ‘Install’ button.
- Once the download completes, a pop-up will prompt you to install the app. Tap ‘Install.’
- After installation, tap ‘Open’ to launch Obtainium.
Initial Setup
Upon first launching Obtainium, a notification permission request will appear. Tap ‘Allow’ to enable notifications. Next, adjust the battery settings to ‘Unlimited’ before returning to the app. A series of welcome pop-ups will guide you through the initial setup.
Adding Apps
Upon entering the app, you will see an empty ‘Apps’ tab. To add new applications, tap the ‘Add Apps’ tab. For instance, to install the PhotonCamera app from GitHub:
- Enter the GitHub URL in the ‘App source URL’ field.
- Select ‘GitHub’ under ‘Override source’ and tap ‘Add.’
- If you encounter an error stating ‘No suitable release was found,’ check the GitHub releases for ‘Pre-release’ tags.
- Enable ‘Include prerelease’ in Obtainium and attempt to add the app again.
- Once successful, tap ‘Install’ to proceed with the installation.
During the installation, Obtainium may request permissions to install unknown apps. Follow the prompts to allow installations from this source, keeping in mind the associated risks.
Import/Export Functionality
Obtainium also features an Import/Export tab, allowing users to manage their app settings efficiently:
- To export settings, select the export directory, enable automatic exports, and initiate the export process.
- For importing, simply tap ‘Obtainium Import’ and choose the desired export file.
Settings Customization
The Settings tab offers a range of options to tailor the app experience:
- Adjust update intervals and background upgrade settings.
- Customize source-specific settings for GitHub and GitLab.
- Choose themes and app sorting preferences.
Obtainium emerges as a robust solution for Android users seeking to expand their app management capabilities beyond the confines of traditional app stores. By facilitating easier installation and updates for apps not supported by Google Play or other repositories, it empowers users to take control of their app ecosystem.
