How to create an updatable AppImage?

Creating AppImages
1

I’m trying to make an AppImage that could be updated thanks to AppImageUpdate, but I can’t figure out how.
If someone has any links or examples to demonstrate the process that will be highly appreciated!
Thanks

2

How are you making your AppImage?

If you are following the example at https://github.com/probonopd/linuxdeployqt/#using-linuxdeployqt-with-travis-ci then the needed update information is automagically going to be embedded into your AppImage.

If you are using appimagetool manually, you need to supply the correct update information string in the -u parameter manually. The format for update information strings is described at https://github.com/AppImage/AppImageSpec/blob/master/draft.md#update-information.

Can you post a link to your AppImage and the script that produces it, then we can give you a concrete command line.

3

Is it possible to embed update information using pkg2appimage?

4

I think you need to invoke appimagetool manually.

5

Hey!
I think it would be niceif an AppImage can

  1. Update itself
  2. Check for updates
  3. Create .desktop files in “Desktop” and in “ApplicationsLocation” ("~ / .local / share / applications")
  4. The shortcut should have an icon.

I’m updating an old program, it’s not ready. But exactly the features I mention above should work. Would be fun to get some input what you think. There is a movie and you can download and try it yourself.
https://gitlab.com/posktomten/exifrename2/-/wikis/Preview
Ingemar

6

Hi Ingemar, thanks for posting. Yes, this is a way to do it - I am just curious though what you didn’t like about GitHub - antony-jr/QAppImageUpdate: Qt5 library and plugin for updating AppImages.?

7

Hey!
Well, because I did not know it existed. That’s probably a better solution. Now I’ll take a good look at this and learn.

I work with my programs entirely as a hobby. Sometimes I get an idea of how one might solve a problem. And then the creative desire starts! Will not always be in the best way. Above all, it can end up outside other established solutions.

8

Indeed… I am also working on this just in my free time.
Have fun!