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This is an area where iOS sucks. Having faced some undesirable consequences in the past from greedy and/or downright malicious developers, I don’t have automati

by AnonHP 6y ago

This is an area where iOS sucks. Having faced some undesirable consequences in the past from greedy and/or downright malicious developers, I don’t have automatic updates turned on for apps. But what makes things worse is that iOS doesn’t provide a way for a user to downgrade an app to a previous version. Since syncing app binaries to computers was also long removed (from iOS 9), the only special version of iTunes (12.6) to support the management of app sync not being updated, and Apple Configurator being messy for long, even users with a computer are left with no way to deal with these problems. What Apple should do for iOS (and also Mac App Store), which I doubt it won’t until there’s an alternative store, is allow users to downgrade apps at least one or two versions right from the App Store. Put it in a place that’s not an “accidentally downgrade and shoot yourself in the foot”. Make a backup of the app data before any upgrade to facilitate a smoother downgrade.

ocdtrekkie 6y ago
Downgrading as a well-managed process is not a popular concept on any platform. Even fairly open ones will generally require you to fully remove the version you have, find an older download file, and install it. And unless you have backups, good luck downgrading your data files back to the older schema. I imagine a well-managed downgrading system would discourage malicious use of auto updates, developers would need to woo users into continuing to move forward.
- Legogris 6y ago
  Both apt/apt-get (Debian, Ubuntu) and pacman (Arch Linux) will save all previously installed packages unless you manually clear your package caches.
Legogris 6y ago
I don't want to defend Apple or iOS here, but Android (talking OS upgrades, not apps) is even worse, by far. Depends on the manufacturer and I imagine Google is one of the less horrible ones, but pretty much every update for Samsung Galaxy: * Changes the UI in some way I don't like * Re-enables intrusive, annoying and concerning background services and their permissions and notifications that are painful and time-consuming to disable * Occasionally adds new ones of the above to the pile * Contains important security fixes that all users should receive as soon as possible * Doesn't provide detailed information on what the update actually includes ("The security of your device has been updated" is the ONLY information for the past four updates despite other obvious changes being co-bundled.) It's a mess.
- imhoguy 6y ago
  Thankfully almost anyone can side-load APK with older version - unless a developer blocks the API. But agreed it is a mess. That is why I think auto-updating mobile devices or "the cloud" will never fully replace computers with a local software for a serious work.
  - Legogris 6y ago
    My gripe here is with system updates, not apps from the Play Store.
    - omnifischer 6y ago
      I for one stopped updating after nougat. At least you can flash safe lineageos <zip>. Search for TWRP/backup. Even you can clone phone to identical model.
      - Legogris 6y ago
        Things may very well have changed, but last I seriously checked there was no stable lineageos for galaxy s9. Just stopping updates and staying on the official but outdated Android version will open users to potential serious security risks.
      - b3lvedere 6y ago
        A couple of months ago i flashed a ye olde Samsung Galaxy 5 with the LineageOS 16 version. I was very surprised it even notified me of updates on the latest build! I was even more surprised it updated without losing any app or data. I was not surprised the phone also performed way faster than the original Samsung OS. I kinda expected that. I think that is because LineageOS was more designed with the (power)user in mind than getting money from companies who want uninstallable apps tracking people forever.
    - imhoguy 6y ago
      But system is composed of system apps which are APKs too e.g. launchers, camera apps, even settings. You can install alternatives freely. Although it is not easy to side-load older stock version without root.

by AnonHP 6y ago

ocdtrekkie 6y ago

Downgrading as a well-managed process is not a popular concept on any platform. Even fairly open ones will generally require you to fully remove the version you have, find an older download file, and install it. And unless you have backups, good luck downgrading your data files back to the older schema. I imagine a well-managed downgrading system would discourage malicious use of auto updates, developers would need to woo users into continuing to move forward.

Legogris 6y ago
Both apt/apt-get (Debian, Ubuntu) and pacman (Arch Linux) will save all previously installed packages unless you manually clear your package caches.

Legogris 6y ago

I don't want to defend Apple or iOS here, but Android (talking OS upgrades, not apps) is even worse, by far. Depends on the manufacturer and I imagine Google is one of the less horrible ones, but pretty much every update for Samsung Galaxy: * Changes the UI in some way I don't like * Re-enables intrusive, annoying and concerning background services and their permissions and notifications that are painful and time-consuming to disable * Occasionally adds new ones of the above to the pile * Contains important security fixes that all users should receive as soon as possible * Doesn't provide detailed information on what the update actually includes ("The security of your device has been updated" is the ONLY information for the past four updates despite other obvious changes being co-bundled.) It's a mess.

imhoguy 6y ago
Thankfully almost anyone can side-load APK with older version - unless a developer blocks the API. But agreed it is a mess. That is why I think auto-updating mobile devices or "the cloud" will never fully replace computers with a local software for a serious work.
- Legogris 6y ago
  My gripe here is with system updates, not apps from the Play Store.
  - omnifischer 6y ago
    I for one stopped updating after nougat. At least you can flash safe lineageos <zip>. Search for TWRP/backup. Even you can clone phone to identical model.
    - Legogris 6y ago
      Things may very well have changed, but last I seriously checked there was no stable lineageos for galaxy s9. Just stopping updates and staying on the official but outdated Android version will open users to potential serious security risks.
    - b3lvedere 6y ago
      A couple of months ago i flashed a ye olde Samsung Galaxy 5 with the LineageOS 16 version. I was very surprised it even notified me of updates on the latest build! I was even more surprised it updated without losing any app or data. I was not surprised the phone also performed way faster than the original Samsung OS. I kinda expected that. I think that is because LineageOS was more designed with the (power)user in mind than getting money from companies who want uninstallable apps tracking people forever.
  - imhoguy 6y ago
    But system is composed of system apps which are APKs too e.g. launchers, camera apps, even settings. You can install alternatives freely. Although it is not easy to side-load older stock version without root.