Managing Apps
How to add, remove, install, uninstall, delete, and download apps in UNA.
App Management Mode
To activate this mode, press and hold your finger or cursor anywhere on the app launcher screen in Studio for at least 3 seconds. This gesture-based activation replaces the previous method of navigating through multiple menu options, making app management more accessible and efficient.
Once app management mode is activated, you'll notice a visual indicator that confirms you've entered this mode: all apps on the launcher will begin to jitter or shake slightly.
Exiting App Management Mode
To exit app management mode and return to normal app launcher functionality, simply tap once on an empty area of the screen where there are no app icons. Once you exit this mode, the apps will stop jittering, indicating that you've returned to normal operation mode.
Adding Apps
Adding applications to your UNA platform involves three sequential steps: downloading, installing, and activating. Each step serves a specific purpose in the app integration process and must be completed in the correct order. This section provides detailed guidance on each of these steps to ensure successful app addition to your UNA environment.
Downloading Apps
The first step in adding an app to your UNA platform is downloading it from the App Store. Downloading an app transfers all the necessary files to your server, making them available for installation. However, a downloaded app is not yet functional until it has been installed and activated.
To download an app, begin by navigating to Studio > App Store. The App Store provides a comprehensive catalog of available applications categorized by function and purpose. Browse through the available apps or use the search function to find specific functionality you need. When you locate an app you wish to add to your platform, click the Download button associated with that app.
After initiating the download, the app will be added to a download queue and will typically appear in the Downloaded section of the App Store within approximately two minutes.
It's important to note that some apps may have restricted access based on your subscription plan or purchase history. Premium apps may require purchase before they become available for download, while others might be included in specific subscription tiers. If you don't see the download option for an app you need, check whether it requires purchase or a subscription upgrade.
Installing Apps
Once an app has been successfully downloaded, the next step is installation. The installation process configures your system for the app's functionality by creating necessary database tables and setting up the required infrastructure. Installation prepares the app to be activated but does not make it immediately functional or visible to users.
To install a downloaded app, navigate to Studio > App Store > Downloaded. In this section, you'll find all apps that have been downloaded but not yet installed. Locate the app you want to install and click the Install button next to it.
The installation process may take several minutes depending on the complexity of the app and your server's performance. During installation, the system creates database structures, sets up file directories, and configures the app with default settings. Once installation is complete, the app will appear in your Launcher in an inactive state, indicating that it has been installed but is not yet active.
It's worth emphasizing that apps must be downloaded before they can be installed. After installation, the app will have default settings and no content data. If you're reinstalling a previously used app that was uninstalled but not deleted, the installation process will create fresh database tables without any previous content.
Activating Apps
The final step in adding an app is activation. Activation makes the app functional and accessible to users. When you activate an app, all its features become available, and it appears fully visible in the Launcher. If the app was previously active and then deactivated (without being uninstalled), activation will restore access to all previously configured settings and content data.
There are two methods to activate an app: from inside the app itself or from the Launcher.
Activate from Inside the App
To activate an app from within the app:
- Navigate to Studio > Launcher.
- Open the app you want to activate (even though it's inactive, you can still open it in Studio).
- Click the Actions icon located in the top right corner of the app interface.
- Switch the Active toggle to the ON position.
This method is convenient when you want to review the app's interface before making it active, allowing you to familiarize yourself with its features before deployment.
Activate from Launcher
Alternatively, you can activate an app directly from the Launcher:
- Navigate to Studio > Launcher.
- Enter app management mode by pressing and holding anywhere on the app launcher screen for at least 3 seconds until the apps start to jitter.
- Click the Settings icon (gear symbol) that appears next to the app you want to activate.
- Switch the Active toggle to the ON position.
This method is more efficient when you need to activate multiple apps in succession, as it doesn't require opening each app individually.
Once activated, the app becomes fully visible in the Launcher and all its functionality becomes available to users according to their permission levels. The app's icon will appear solid rather than semi-transparent, indicating its active status.
By following these three sequential steps—downloading, installing, and activating—you can successfully add new functionality to your UNA platform. Remember that these steps must be performed in order, as each builds upon the previous one to ensure proper integration of the app into your system.
Removing Apps
Removing applications from your UNA platform involves three sequential steps: deactivating, uninstalling, and deleting. Similar to the app addition process, these steps must be performed in the correct order. This section provides detailed guidance on each of these steps to ensure proper app removal without unintended consequences.
Deactivating Apps
Deactivation is the first step in removing an app from active use. When you deactivate an app, it remains installed on your system, but its functionality becomes inaccessible to users. Importantly, all data and media associated with the app are preserved during deactivation, allowing you to reactivate the app later with all its settings and content intact if needed.
There are two methods to deactivate an app: from inside the app itself or from the Launcher.
Deactivate from Inside the App
To deactivate an app from within the app:
- Navigate to Studio > Launcher.
- Open the app you want to deactivate.
- Click the Actions icon located in the top right corner of the app interface.
- Switch the Active toggle to the OFF position.
This method allows you to review the app's current state before deactivating it, which can be useful for checking any active processes or content that might be affected.
Deactivate from Launcher
Alternatively, you can deactivate an app directly from the Launcher:
- Navigate to Studio > Launcher.
- Enter app management mode by pressing and holding anywhere on the app launcher screen for at least 3 seconds until the apps start to jitter.
- Click the Settings icon (gear symbol) that appears next to the app you want to deactivate.
- Switch the Active toggle to the OFF position.
This method is more efficient when you need to deactivate multiple apps in succession, as it doesn't require opening each app individually.
After deactivation, the app remains visible in the Launcher but appears semi-transparent or faded, visually indicating its inactive status. This visual distinction helps administrators quickly identify which apps are currently active and which are not.
Uninstalling Apps
Uninstallation is the second step in the app removal process. It's important to note that active apps cannot be uninstalled—you must first deactivate an app before you can uninstall it. Uninstalling an app removes all data and media created by the app from your server, but it does not delete the app files themselves. This means the app can be reinstalled later, but all previous settings and content will be lost.
Uninstall from Launcher
To uninstall an app:
- Navigate to Studio > Launcher.
- Enter app management mode by pressing and holding anywhere on the app launcher screen for at least 3 seconds until the apps start to jitter.
- Click the Uninstall button that appears next to the app you want to uninstall. Note that only inactive apps will display the Uninstall icon.
- Confirm that you want to uninstall the app when prompted.
The uninstallation process removes the app from the Launcher and erases all settings, user-generated data, and media files created by the app. This action is significant because it removes all content associated with the app, so it should be performed with caution. Consider backing up important data before uninstalling if you might need it in the future.
After uninstallation, the app will no longer appear in the Launcher, but its files remain in the system's downloaded apps repository, allowing for potential reinstallation if needed.
Deleting Apps
Deletion is the final step in completely removing an app from your UNA system. You can only delete apps that are both inactive and uninstalled. Deleting an app removes all the app files from the server completely, freeing up storage space and removing the app from your downloaded apps repository.
To delete an app:
- Navigate to Studio > Launcher > App Store > Downloaded.
- Find the app you want to delete and click the Delete button.
- Confirm that you want to delete the app when prompted.
It's important to note that the option to delete an app will only be active if the app is both inactive and uninstalled. If you don't see the delete option, check whether the app needs to be deactivated or uninstalled first.
After deletion, the app is completely removed from your system. If you want to use the app again in the future, you would need to download it again from the App Store, reinstall it, and reconfigure all settings from scratch.
By following these three sequential steps—deactivating, uninstalling, and deleting—you can properly remove apps from your UNA platform. Remember that these steps must be performed in order, as each has specific implications for your system and the app's data. This structured approach ensures that you can manage your UNA platform's functionality while maintaining control over app-related data and system resources.
Summary
For adding apps, remember the sequence: download, install, and activate. Each step builds upon the previous one, and all are necessary for an app to become fully functional.
For removing apps, follow the sequence: deactivate, uninstall, and delete. This ensures proper data management and system resource allocation.