Remote Alpha testing of app with Settings page

Another "how can I" question.
How can I release an app with a Settings page to my alpha testers who are physically remote from my location?
When I install the .prg file created with "Build for Device Wizard" on my watch, the app installs but without a Settings page.
When I install my app published as "DO NOT APPROVE" from the app store, it installs with the Settings page, and subsequent updates from the "Build for Device Wizard" retains the Settings page, but that's not accessible to my Alpha testers.

The "App export wizard" generates a .iq file, but I can't find any description of that. Is there an answer there?

jim_m_58 over 8 years ago

Until it's approved, only you can download from the store, and unless from the store, you can't use app settings from a phone or GCM (the ability to allow a restricted set of people - like testers - has been requested, but it's not there yet.)

what you can do for testers with side loads, is create a <yourprog>.set file for their specific needs using the simulator, and give that .set to them along with the .prg

Alan.raceQs over 8 years ago

what you can do for testers with side loads, is create a <yourprog>.set file for their specific needs using the simulator, and give that .set to them along with the .prg

That sounds like the answer I'm looking for, but could you provide instructions for this please? I don't see any option in the Simulator to do this.

jim_m_58 over 8 years ago

When you run the sim, it uses a temp directory that pretty much mirrors a watch. (the location varies between windows and amac)
So you have a top level directory of "Garmin", and under that "apps" and under thar "settings"
You're .prg is <tempdir>\garmin\apps\<yourprog>.prg, and the setting are in <tempdir>\garmin\apps\settings\<yourprog>.set.

When you change something with the app settings editor in eclipse, the .set is where the data is, so that would be what you pass on.

You could use the store version you can download to make the .set file, but it will be the <8 char store name>.set.

I use the sim method, as that's also the way I can check out things with different settings for my own sideloads before putting an app in the app store at all.

Alan.raceQs over 8 years ago

For the life of me, I can't find a .set file (searched hard drive for *.set ) anywhere on my W10 PC!
Nor can I fine the <tempdir>/garmin/apps structure! (searched for garmin\apps).
I know it must be there somewhere, but where!
I have managed to capture a fleeting glance of the location, but I suspect it's justr that...fleeting!

As I have no idea how 0:/Garmin/Apps//SETTINGS/raceQs.SET would appear on my box. I'm developing in Eclipse and suspect someone is using a TCP pipe to transfer the file.
Maybe I'd be better off renaming the Store file.
What a palaver!

jim_m_58 over 8 years ago

On Win10, for me it's
/users/<me>/AppData/local/temp/Garmin

Could it be that appData is set as hidden on your machine? That could be the default. Or try a command prompt as admin with

dir *.set /s

travis.vitek over 8 years ago

You want to look at %TEMP%\Garmin. The actual directory depends on the operating system you're using, and may be something that you have changed in your environment settings.

To find that folder you can press WIN+R to open the run dialog, then type %TEMP%\Garmin into the Open field and press Enter.

Travis

Alan.raceQs over 8 years ago

How do I remove "NOT INSTALLED" aps from GCM Android?

I did find my raceQs.SET file. Exactly where you said (C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Temp\GARMIN\APPS) :o My DOS skills aren't what they were and I was (mis-)using the Windows Explorer search facility. (embarrassed fidgeting)

But when I transferred the raceQs.SET file to my watch, I still see no Settings option in GCM for the app.
I suspect I know the problem but I don't know how to fix it.
It's something to do with the fact that some time ago I uploaded my app as DO NOT APPROVE and installed it on the watch - fine, the app showed Settings.
Now I can't get rid of it ("DO NOT APPROVE" app).
When I uninstall it, it remains in GCM as "NOT INSTALLED".
Here's what I have done (a few times)

return the watch to base with Settings/System/Restore Defaults,
(still find .prg files in GARMIN/APPS ..WHY???), so delete all from GARMIN/APPS
uninstall GCM.
restart phone.
search on my phone for "garmin" or "connect" files - find none
reinstall GCM

I still find my DO NOT APPROVE app in GCM as "NOT INSTALLED". How the heck did it remember????

How do I get rid of it - as I suspect, since it has the same UID as my development app, it's messing with my Settings.

jim_m_58 over 8 years ago

if you have a side load (raceQs.PRG) you can copy over a raceQs.SET file, but you wont be able to change it with GCM or GE. Copying over the .set just allows you to use different settings in a sideload without needing to change code in your .prg.

As far as the "do not approve", that's part of the title you put in the app store, so if you remove it there, you won't see it on your phone, that that also means the app will be approve in a short time and available for everyone. It's like the picture you see for your app in GCM isn't your laugher_icon. It's the main picture you have for your app in the app store.

As far as switching between sideload and from the store on your watch, are you doing something like deleting the sideload, before installing from the store, or deleting from the store if you want to test a new sideload?

Alan.raceQs over 8 years ago

if you have a side load (raceQs.PRG) you can copy over a raceQs.SET file, but you wont be able to change it with GCM or GE. Copying over the .set just allows you to use different settings in a sideload without needing to change code in your .prg.

Ah, so my Alpha testers won't be able to access the Settings page??? That was kind of the point of my original question.

As far as the "do not approve", that's part of the title you put in the app store, so if you remove it there, you won't see it on your phone, that that also means the app will be approve in a short time and available for everyone. It's like the picture you see for your app in GCM isn't your laugher_icon. It's the main picture you have for your app in the app store.

Yes, I understand where the name is coming from. My question was about how to remove it (and other unwanted apps) from my "NOT INSTALLED" list. Now you've cleared up the above, it may not be so relevant, but I would like to get a better handle on the whole process.

As far as switching between sideload and from the store on your watch, are you doing something like deleting the sideload, before installing from the store, or deleting from the store if you want to test a new sideload?

I'm only deleting it from the watch (and seeing it go from "INSTALLED" to "NOT INSTALLED" in GCM)
.

jim_m_58 over 8 years ago

My question was about how to remove it (and other unwanted apps) from my "NOT INSTALLED" list.

The simple answer is "you can't", and that's been asked in the Garmin Connect Mobile forums many times...

But to be honest, I find it quite useful - to go back and try an app I have uninstalled before, and in the case of my own apps, I'll install the store version if I want to test a sideload, and after I've updated the store, I'll uninstall the side load, and quickly get the store version back, as it's right there on the "not installed" list.