Review: Obtainium - Autoupdate your Android FOSS apps directly from github
Of course, many of y'all just use F-Droid to download, install and update your favorite free and opensource software on your Android phones, but how to ensure recent updates of apps which aren't on a F-Droid repo? Or what if you don't like F-Droid?
Of course, many of y'all just use F-Droid to download, install and update your favorite free and opensource software on your Android phones, but how to ensure recent updates of apps which aren't on a F-Droid repo? Or what if you don't like F-Droid?
You can also update them directly from github (and other sources) with Obtainium
"Obtainium allows you to install and update Open-Source Apps directly from their releases pages, and receive notifications when new releases are made available." (https://github.com/ImranR98/Obtainium)
So I tried the App, as I never was a big Fan of F-Droid.
![](https://hndrk.blog/content/images/2023/04/HiShoot_20230420_205408-1.png)
How to set up:
The only thing you really need, is the URL of the project you want to follow. So for example, the Github link to the K-9 Mail Project.
After you copied your link, you tap on the + (Add App) button.
![](https://hndrk.blog/content/images/2023/04/Screenshot_20230420-205702-1.png)
Insert the URL, select some options and hit the Add button.
![](https://hndrk.blog/content/images/2023/04/Screenshot_20230420-205802.png)
Obtainium will now search for the right version of App for your phone and also looks up the current version installed. If the project serves more options and/or release tags, it will also ask you now, which version you want to choose.
![](https://hndrk.blog/content/images/2023/04/Screenshot_20230420-205830.png)
From now on you have your app added and its ready to get monitored for updates through Obtainium.
Pretty easy in my opinion. I tested the App now for a couple of weeks and it works flawlessly on my phone. I get notifications, if an update is ready to install and Obtanium downloads the apk, so I just have to tap on the "update" button.
Download Obtainium here. And try yourself!
For me it's definately a recommendation.
Have fun with this handy App ;)