Forcing app updates to mobile users

[Marty_Dub]

Is there any way to force app updates to apps being used via the MS PowerApps app on iOS/Android devices?

We have a large workforce using PowerApps on mobile devices, however any updates we make are not being forced through to the users end.  They receive a small on screen prompt that "A new version of the app is available, tap to update" - however not all users are updating and are allowed to continue using the obsolete version.

This is very difficult to maintain control when users are allowed to continue using obsolete versions of apps.

[v-qiaqi-msft]

Hi @Marty_Dub,

Do you want to force the end users to update the power apps app to the latest version?

Could you please share a bit more about the scenario?

Currently, there is no out-of-box method to force this action, but you could save the app's latest version number in your data source, then hard code that same number into your app.  When the app is opened you can check if these numbers are the same.  If not, prevent the user from going any further and give instructions on how to clear the cache/force update.

The key is to create a data source to store the version number.

Here is some blogs that you could check for reference:

PowerApps – Notify users of updates to your apps – Alex's SharePoint Blog (sharepointalex.uk)

Force App Updates In Power Apps - Matthew Devaney

Hope it could help you at some degree.

[Marty_Dub]

Hi @v-qiaqi-msft ,

Thank you for your suggestion.  The scenario is I have an application that collects data in the field, and have recently added a bunch of new dropdowns etc to cater for some urgent changes in data collection requirements.  The issue I have however is that not all our staff are selecting the tiny pop-up that appears at the top of the screen advising them that a new version is available, and PowerApps allows them to continue on using the now obsolete version of the app (and thereby not being able to see/fill out the new fields).

If I understand your suggestion correctly - I can somehow reference the apps version number within the app itself, and if it does not match with the latest published version, I can steer them to a placeholder screen which advises them to update the app.  Is that correct?

[v-qiaqi-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @Marty_Dub,

Yes, you are right, you could get your latest version once you publish a newer version.

Once a user logs in, you could ask him to input the latest version on his side, otherwise he could not operate any more.

If the user inputs his version, you could add an If statement to check this version equals to the latest version number on your side. If yes, allow the user to operate on the app, if not, pop up a message to tell him to update to the latest version.

1). Add a TextInput and set the HintText property as below:

"Please input your current PowerApps version!"

2). Add an Navigate icon and set the OnSelect property:

If(TextInput1.Text="YourLatestVesion",
   Navigate(Screen_User_Operate),
   Notify("Please update your version to the latest version!",Error)
)

[groyet]

I figure out a way to force app updates for every user when needed:

– I have a SharepointList with one record (ID=1), in which I control the current version of my app in a text column called: IdApp.

– With appOnStart I declare a global variable _userVersion as:
Set(_userVersion;LookUp(SharepointList;ID=1;IdApp));;

– When I make updates in Powerapps and have the need to be in production immediately, I update the Sharepointlist record with a new value. ie: 0.951.

Here I do not have the need to call all app users to close, wait 2 mins, and restart the app to reflect changes made, because:

– On critical navigation links or specific components of the app, I lookup for current value in the list and compare this value with _userVersion as follows:
If(
  LookUp(SharepointList;ID=1;IdApp)<>_userVersion;
  Exit();
  Navigate(cmpHeader.HomeScreenNav)
)

– For sure on App object, in the ConfirmExitMessage property, I configure a custom message like:
“Version 0.951 is now available! Please close the app and enjoy its new features”.
This message is displayed automatically by Powerapps when the Exit() function is triggered.
As user cannot go anywhere in the App because navigations are performing the “if” sentences, then user is forced to close the app.