F-Droid Setup for Automatic Updates

F-Droid Setup for Automatic Updates

F-Droid is an installable catalog of free and open-source applications for Android. By installing PCRMS Office through F-Droid, you’ll receive automatic updates whenever a new version is released.

What is F-Droid?

F-Droid is a trusted, open-source alternative to the Google Play Store. It offers:

  • Automatic Updates: Apps update in the background without manual intervention
  • Privacy Focused: No tracking or personal data collection
  • Security: All apps are verified and built from source code
  • Transparency: Complete visibility into what apps do

Installation Process Overview

  1. Install the F-Droid app on your Android device
  2. Add the Leviathan PCRMS repository to F-Droid
  3. Install PCRMS Office from the repository
  4. Configure automatic updates

Step 1: Install F-Droid

Download F-Droid App

  1. Open Your Browser

    • Launch Chrome, Firefox, or your preferred browser on your Android device

  2. Visit F-Droid Website

    • Navigate to: https://f-droid.org
    • Tap the Download F-Droid button
    • The F-Droid.apk file will download

  3. Enable Installation from Unknown Sources

    • Open Settings on your device
    • Go to Security or Apps & Notifications
    • Find Install unknown apps or Special app access
    • Select your browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.)
    • Enable Allow from this source

  4. Install F-Droid

    • Open your Downloads folder
    • Tap the downloaded F-Droid.apk file
    • Tap Install
    • Tap Open when installation completes

Step 2: Add Leviathan PCRMS Repository

F-Droid uses repositories to organize apps. You’ll need to add the Leviathan repository to access PCRMS Office.

Repository URL: https://fdroid.leviathan.systems/repo/

Add the Repository

  1. Open F-Droid App

    • Launch the F-Droid app you just installed

  2. Access Settings

    • Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner
    • Select Settings

  3. Navigate to Repositories

    • Scroll down and tap Repositories
    • You’ll see a list of enabled repositories

  4. Add New Repository

    • Tap the + icon (or Add Repository) in the top-right corner
    • You’ll see two fields:
      • Repository URL: Enter https://fdroid.leviathan.systems/repo/
      • Fingerprint: Enter the fingerprint if provided (optional but recommended for security)

  5. Save the Repository

    • Tap Add or OK
    • F-Droid will fetch the repository information

Enable the Repository

  1. Verify Repository is Enabled

    • In the Repositories list, ensure the Leviathan PCRMS repository has a checkmark
    • If not, tap the repository name and toggle it ON

  2. Update Repository

    • Go back to the F-Droid main screen
    • Pull down to refresh or tap the Update icon
    • F-Droid will sync the repository and download app information

Step 3: Install PCRMS Office

Now that the repository is added, you can install PCRMS Office.

Find the App

  1. Search for PCRMS Office

    • In the F-Droid app, tap the search icon (magnifying glass)
    • Type “PCRMS Office”
    • Tap on the search result

  2. View App Details

    • You’ll see the app description, version, permissions, and other details
    • Review the information to confirm it’s the official PCRMS Office app

Install the App

  1. Tap Install

    • On the app details page, tap the Install button
    • F-Droid will download the APK

  2. Confirm Installation

    • You may need to grant F-Droid permission to install apps
    • If prompted, enable Allow from this source for F-Droid
    • Tap Install in the installation prompt

  3. Wait for Installation

    • The installation process will complete
    • You’ll see a success message

  4. Open the App

    • Tap Open or find PCRMS Office in your app drawer

Step 4: Configure Automatic Updates

F-Droid can automatically check for and install app updates.

Enable Automatic Updates

  1. Open F-Droid Settings

    • Launch the F-Droid app
    • Tap the menu icon → Settings

  2. Configure Auto-Update Settings

    • Scroll to the Automatic Updates section
    • Enable the following options:
      • Automatically fetch updates: Checks for new versions regularly
      • Automatically install updates: Installs updates without confirmation
      • Only on Wi-Fi: Recommended to save mobile data

  3. Set Update Interval (Optional)

    • Choose how often F-Droid checks for updates
    • Recommended: Every 24 hours or twice daily

  4. Background Data

    • Ensure F-Droid is allowed to use background data
    • Go to Settings → Apps → F-Droid → Data usage
    • Enable Background data

Verify Auto-Update is Working

  1. Check for Updates Manually

    • Open F-Droid
    • Pull down to refresh
    • Check if any updates are available for PCRMS Office

  2. View Pending Updates

    • Tap the menu icon → Updates
    • You’ll see a list of apps with available updates
    • Updates will install automatically based on your settings

Managing Updates

Manual Update Check

Even with automatic updates enabled, you can manually check:

  1. Open F-Droid
  2. Go to Updates from the menu
  3. Pull down to refresh
  4. Updates will appear if available

Update Notifications

F-Droid can notify you when updates are available:

  1. Go to Settings → Notifications
  2. Enable Notify when updates are available
  3. You’ll receive a notification when PCRMS Office has an update

Disable Auto-Updates for Specific Apps

If you want to control PCRMS Office updates manually:

  1. Open PCRMS Office in F-Droid
  2. Tap the menu icon (three dots)
  3. Select Settings
  4. Disable Automatic updates for this app only

Troubleshooting

Repository Won’t Add

  • Check URL: Verify you’re using the correct repository URL
  • Internet Connection: Ensure you have a stable internet connection
  • Clear Cache: Go to F-Droid Settings → Clear cache
  • Fingerprint Mismatch: If you get a fingerprint error, verify the fingerprint with your administrator

App Not Found

  • Update Repository: Pull down to refresh the repository list
  • Check Repository is Enabled: Go to Settings → Repositories and verify Leviathan PCRMS is checked
  • Contact Administrator: The app may not be published yet

Updates Not Installing Automatically

  • Check Settings: Verify automatic update settings are enabled
  • Battery Optimization: Some devices restrict background processes
    • Go to Settings → Battery → Battery optimization
    • Find F-Droid and set to Don’t optimize
  • Storage Space: Ensure you have enough free space for updates
  • Background Data: Verify F-Droid can use background data

Installation Failed

  • Clear F-Droid Cache: Settings → Clear cache
  • Reinstall F-Droid: Uninstall and reinstall the F-Droid app
  • Check Permissions: Ensure F-Droid has permission to install apps

Security & Privacy

Why F-Droid is Secure

  • Open Source: All code is publicly auditable
  • Reproducible Builds: Apps are built from source in a verifiable way
  • No Tracking: F-Droid doesn’t collect personal data
  • Signature Verification: Apps are signed and verified

Repository Fingerprint

The repository fingerprint is a security feature that ensures you’re connecting to the authentic Leviathan repository. Always verify the fingerprint with your administrator when adding the repository.

Best Practices

  1. Only Add Trusted Repositories: Only add the official Leviathan PCRMS repository
  2. Verify Fingerprints: Always use the fingerprint if provided
  3. Keep F-Droid Updated: Update F-Droid itself when new versions are available
  4. Review Permissions: Check app permissions before installation

Benefits of Using F-Droid

FeatureBenefit
Automatic UpdatesAlways have the latest features and security patches
No Manual DownloadsUpdates happen in the background
Open SourceTransparent and trustworthy
Privacy FocusedNo tracking or ads
Multiple AppsManage all your F-Droid apps in one place
Update NotificationsStay informed about new versions

Support

F-Droid Resources

PCRMS Support

If you have issues with PCRMS Office:

Next Steps

  • Launch the App: Open PCRMS Office and sign in with your credentials
  • Explore Features: Check out the Features section to learn what you can do
  • Enable Notifications: Configure push notifications for important updates
  • Get Help: Visit our Support section for guides and FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to keep F-Droid open for updates?

No, F-Droid works in the background. Updates will check and install even when the app is closed.

Will automatic updates overwrite my data?

No, updates preserve all your app data and settings. Your login information and local data remain intact.

Can I use both F-Droid and APK installation?

We recommend choosing one method. If you install via APK first, you can switch to F-Droid by installing from the repository (it will recognize the existing installation).

How much data do updates use?

PCRMS Office updates typically range from 20-50 MB. Use the “Only on Wi-Fi” setting to avoid using mobile data.

Is F-Droid safe?

Yes, F-Droid is widely trusted in the open-source community. All apps are verified, and the source code is publicly available for review.