Installing FTC Apps Without Google Play

Due to recent Google Play security requirement changes, FIRST is no longer able to distribute versions 6.1 and later of its control system software through the Play Store.  Unfortunately, the security requirements that have been imposed by the Play Store break support for the FTC control system software.

Teams should use the REV Robotics Hardware Client software to manage the software on the Robot Controller/Control Hub and Driver Station devices.  Unfortunately, however, the REV Hardware Client app is currently only available for Windows.

If you are and advanced user, you can use Android Studio with its Android Debug Bridge (adb) to install the control system software onto your devices from a Mac.

However, if you are a Mac or Chromebook user, you can also install the needed apps from “unknown sources” instead of using Google Play.  This article describes the steps for doing this.

For Android 8.x and Greater:

Step 1: Go to Special app access menu

Step 2: Grant permission for Chrome to Install unknown apps

Step 3: Uninstall old APK file

Step 4: Navigate to the releases page of the FtcRobotController GitHub repository 

Step 6: Install the app after the file has been downloaded

 that break support for our FTC control system software

This problem causes Motorola E5 phones (and possibly other Motorola phones) to reboot when the Driver Station phone connects to the Robot Controller phone.  It only happens if this 2.4GHz warning is enabled.

The FTC Technology Team has identified the cause of the issue and will eventually release of fix that will address the problem.  In the interim, teams who are experiencing this problem should disable the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Warning on the Robot Controller.  When you attempt the following steps, please make sure that the Driver Station is turned off (so that the Robot Controller will not reboot).

Here are the steps to disable the 2.4GHz warning.