Expire or Invalidate app build after a certain time.

Solar2D Android
#1

Hi

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to “expire” an app built with the corona SDK ?

We want to give out android versions of our app to third parties for evaluation but want to make sure that they could not use it indefinitely or keep usable copies for too long.

#2

You’ll have to set up a server and have the device’s “check-in” every launch.  On initial launch it should save a timestamp to the server, then every subsequent launch test if it is still within the evaluation period.  I would recommend a PHP/MySQL backend. 

#3

You can limit the number of launches with a counter, or check the difference between the device’s date and a reference date inside the app, for instance the date of the first launch.

#4

I would not recommend this as it is very simple to clear persistent data on Android.

#5

Thank you for the suggestions.

At the moment we just check the devices date against a hard coded date. Obviously this isn’t tamper proof but it’s easiest and is the most maintenance free option I know of.

If this special copy will have internet access I was thinking of just using the developer console and it’s beta testing functionality.

We can control who has access via that.

#6

You’ll have to set up a server and have the device’s “check-in” every launch.  On initial launch it should save a timestamp to the server, then every subsequent launch test if it is still within the evaluation period.  I would recommend a PHP/MySQL backend. 

#7

You can limit the number of launches with a counter, or check the difference between the device’s date and a reference date inside the app, for instance the date of the first launch.

#8

I would not recommend this as it is very simple to clear persistent data on Android.

#9

Thank you for the suggestions.

At the moment we just check the devices date against a hard coded date. Obviously this isn’t tamper proof but it’s easiest and is the most maintenance free option I know of.

If this special copy will have internet access I was thinking of just using the developer console and it’s beta testing functionality.

We can control who has access via that.