Private Android Application deployment/installation?

Question

is it possible to create an android application that is meant only for internal use? Basically a private application not meant to be installed by non-approved phones?

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Answer 1

Two major ways:

You can either use the non-market application installation method, or adb from a connected PC to install an apk which you distribute as a bare file. The downside is that anyone in possession of the apk can install your application.

Alternatively, you can distribute the application through the android market, but make it require an account on a server you control in order to do anything useful. The upside is that possession of the apk doesn't get an unauthorized user much; the downside is negative ratings from confused randoms, and that you've made your apk very available for interested parties to know about and decompile. (There is or was also a way to put an app on the market but not list it so it was only accessible via a full url, however don't rely on that)