diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/release.yml b/.gitea/workflows/release.yml
index 0b9fef4..0d952d7 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/release.yml
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ jobs:
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
         with:
           name: carry-your-live-release
-          path: carry-your-live/android/app/build/outputs/apk/release/app-release.apk
+          path: carry-your-live/android/app/build/outputs/release/app-release.apk
 
   release:
     needs: build
diff --git a/carry-your-live/package-lock.json b/carry-your-live/package-lock.json
index 348fc8b..fd3465a 100644
--- a/carry-your-live/package-lock.json
+++ b/carry-your-live/package-lock.json
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
         "expo-constants": "~57.0.9",
         "expo-dev-client": "~57.0.1",
         "expo-device": "^57.0.1",
+        "expo-intent-launcher": "~57.0.1",
         "expo-linking": "~57.0.5",
         "expo-notifications": "~57.0.8",
         "expo-router": "~57.0.10",
@@ -7594,6 +7595,15 @@
         "react-native": "*"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/expo-intent-launcher": {
+      "version": "57.0.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/expo-intent-launcher/-/expo-intent-launcher-57.0.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-BYiPEOUeW3AkW/uxEESbS2UBw9LasJ8Heb6A8kF9Ueh6pqrXQHMNJFHzfrOP8qZfv9G2e8CTzrtzpN5p0vH5fA==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "expo": "*"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/expo-json-utils": {
       "version": "57.0.1",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/expo-json-utils/-/expo-json-utils-57.0.1.tgz",
diff --git a/carry-your-live/package.json b/carry-your-live/package.json
index 427ce99..59a07e0 100644
--- a/carry-your-live/package.json
+++ b/carry-your-live/package.json
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
     "expo-constants": "~57.0.9",
     "expo-dev-client": "~57.0.1",
     "expo-device": "^57.0.1",
+    "expo-intent-launcher": "~57.0.1",
     "expo-linking": "~57.0.5",
     "expo-notifications": "~57.0.8",
     "expo-router": "~57.0.10",
diff --git a/carry-your-live/src/components/UpdateNotifier.tsx b/carry-your-live/src/components/UpdateNotifier.tsx
index e70d3d5..4288887 100644
--- a/carry-your-live/src/components/UpdateNotifier.tsx
+++ b/carry-your-live/src/components/UpdateNotifier.tsx
@@ -1,30 +1,278 @@
-import { useEffect } from 'react';
-import { Alert, Linking } from 'react-native';
-import { checkForUpdates, wasPromptedFor, markPrompted } from '@/services/updates';
+import { useEffect, useState, useCallback } from 'react';
+import {
+  Modal,
+  View,
+  Text,
+  StyleSheet,
+  Pressable,
+  ScrollView,
+  Platform,
+} from 'react-native';
+import { checkForUpdates, wasPromptedFor, markPrompted, downloadAPK, installAPK, openReleaseUrl, AppUpdate } from '@/services/updates';
+import { useSettings } from '@/theme';
 
 export function UpdateNotifier() {
-  useEffect(() => {
-    const run = async () => {
-      const update = await checkForUpdates();
-      if (!update || (await wasPromptedFor(update.tagName))) return;
-      await markPrompted(update.tagName);
-      const url = update.apkUrl ?? update.releaseUrl;
-      Alert.alert(
-        'Update available',
-        `A new version (${update.version}) is available for download.`,
-        [
-          { text: 'Later', style: 'cancel' },
-          {
-            text: 'Download',
-            onPress: () => {
-              if (url) Linking.openURL(url).catch(() => {});
-            },
-          },
-        ],
-      );
-    };
-    run();
+  const { theme } = useSettings();
+  const [update, setUpdate] = useState<AppUpdate | null>(null);
+  const [visible, setVisible] = useState(false);
+  const [downloading, setDownloading] = useState(false);
+  const [downloadProgress, setDownloadProgress] = useState(0);
+  const [downloadError, setDownloadError] = useState<string | null>(null);
+
+  const checkUpdate = useCallback(async () => {
+    const available = await checkForUpdates();
+    if (!available) return;
+
+    const prompted = await wasPromptedFor(available.tagName);
+    if (prompted && !available.mandatory) return;
+
+    setUpdate(available);
+    setVisible(true);
   }, []);
 
-  return null;
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+  useEffect(() => {
+    checkUpdate();
+  }, [checkUpdate]);
+
+  const handleDownload = async () => {
+    if (!update?.apkUrl) {
+      await openReleaseUrl(update?.releaseUrl ?? '');
+      return;
+    }
+
+    setDownloading(true);
+    setDownloadProgress(0);
+    setDownloadError(null);
+
+    try {
+      const uri = await downloadAPK(update.apkUrl, setDownloadProgress);
+      if (uri) {
+        const installed = await installAPK(uri);
+        if (!installed) {
+          setDownloadError('Failed to open installer. Please install manually from Downloads.');
+        }
+      } else {
+        setDownloadError('Download failed. Please try again or download from the release page.');
+      }
+    } catch (error) {
+      setDownloadError('An error occurred during download.');
+    } finally {
+      setDownloading(false);
+    }
+  };
+
+  const handleLater = async () => {
+    if (update) {
+      await markPrompted(update.tagName);
+    }
+    setVisible(false);
+  };
+
+  const handleReleasePage = async () => {
+    if (update) {
+      await openReleaseUrl(update.releaseUrl);
+    }
+  };
+
+  if (!visible || !update) return null;
+
+  const isMandatory = update.mandatory;
+
+  return (
+    <Modal visible={visible} transparent animationType="fade" onRequestClose={isMandatory ? () => {} : handleLater}>
+      <View style={[styles.overlay, { backgroundColor: theme.overlay }]}>
+        <View style={[styles.modal, { backgroundColor: theme.card }]}>
+          <View style={[styles.header, { borderBottomColor: theme.border }]}>
+            <Text style={[styles.title, { color: theme.text }]}>Update Available</Text>
+            <Text style={[styles.version, { color: theme.textSecondary }]}>Version {update.version}</Text>
+          </View>
+
+          <ScrollView style={styles.content} contentContainerStyle={styles.contentContainer}>
+            <Text style={[styles.sectionTitle, { color: theme.text }]}>What's New</Text>
+            <Text style={[styles.notes, { color: theme.textSecondary }]}>
+              {update.notes || 'No release notes provided.'}
+            </Text>
+
+            {isMandatory && (
+              <View style={styles.mandatoryBadge}>
+                <Text style={styles.mandatoryText}>Mandatory Update</Text>
+              </View>
+            )}
+
+            {downloading && (
+              <View style={styles.progressContainer}>
+                <View style={[styles.progressBar, { backgroundColor: theme.border }]}>
+                  <View
+                    style={[
+                      styles.progressFill,
+                      { backgroundColor: theme.accent, width: `${downloadProgress * 100}%` },
+                    ]}
+                  />
+                </View>
+                <Text style={[styles.progressText, { color: theme.textSecondary }]}>
+                  Downloading... {Math.round(downloadProgress * 100)}%
+                </Text>
+              </View>
+            )}
+
+            {downloadError && (
+              <View style={styles.errorContainer}>
+                <Text style={styles.errorText}>{downloadError}</Text>
+                <Pressable style={styles.errorAction} onPress={handleDownload}>
+                  <Text style={styles.errorActionText}>Retry Download</Text>
+                </Pressable>
+              </View>
+            )}
+          </ScrollView>
+
+          <View style={[styles.actions, { borderTopColor: theme.border }]}>
+            {!isMandatory && (
+              <Pressable style={[styles.button, styles.buttonSecondary, { backgroundColor: theme.cardAlt }]} onPress={handleLater}>
+                <Text style={[styles.buttonText, { color: theme.textSecondary }]}>Later</Text>
+              </Pressable>
+            )}
+
+            <Pressable
+              style={[
+                styles.button,
+                styles.buttonPrimary,
+                { backgroundColor: theme.accent, opacity: downloading ? 0.7 : 1 },
+              ]}
+              onPress={handleDownload}
+              disabled={downloading}
+            >
+              <Text style={[styles.buttonText, { color: theme.accentText }]}>
+                {downloading ? 'Downloading...' : update.apkUrl ? 'Download & Install' : 'View Release'}
+              </Text>
+            </Pressable>
+
+            <Pressable style={[styles.button, styles.buttonGhost, { backgroundColor: 'transparent' }]} onPress={handleReleasePage}>
+              <Text style={[styles.buttonText, { color: theme.textSecondary }]}>Release Notes</Text>
+            </Pressable>
+          </View>
+        </View>
+      </View>
+    </Modal>
+  );
+}
+
+const styles = StyleSheet.create({
+  overlay: {
+    flex: 1,
+    justifyContent: 'center',
+    alignItems: 'center',
+    padding: 20,
+  },
+  modal: {
+    width: '100%',
+    maxWidth: 480,
+    borderRadius: 20,
+    overflow: 'hidden',
+    maxHeight: '85%',
+  },
+  header: {
+    padding: 20,
+    borderBottomWidth: 1,
+  },
+  title: {
+    fontSize: 20,
+    fontWeight: '700',
+    marginBottom: 4,
+  },
+  version: {
+    fontSize: 14,
+  },
+  content: {
+    maxHeight: 300,
+  },
+  contentContainer: {
+    padding: 20,
+    paddingBottom: 12,
+  },
+  sectionTitle: {
+    fontSize: 14,
+    fontWeight: '600',
+    marginBottom: 8,
+    textTransform: 'uppercase',
+    letterSpacing: 0.5,
+  },
+  notes: {
+    fontSize: 14,
+    lineHeight: 22,
+  },
+  mandatoryBadge: {
+    marginTop: 12,
+    paddingHorizontal: 12,
+    paddingVertical: 6,
+    borderRadius: 8,
+    backgroundColor: '#FFEBEE',
+    alignSelf: 'flex-start',
+  },
+  mandatoryText: {
+    fontSize: 12,
+    fontWeight: '600',
+    color: '#C62828',
+  },
+  progressContainer: {
+    marginTop: 16,
+  },
+  progressBar: {
+    height: 6,
+    borderRadius: 3,
+    overflow: 'hidden',
+  },
+  progressFill: {
+    height: '100%',
+    borderRadius: 3,
+  },
+  progressText: {
+    fontSize: 12,
+    marginTop: 6,
+    textAlign: 'center',
+  },
+  errorContainer: {
+    marginTop: 16,
+    padding: 12,
+    borderRadius: 8,
+    backgroundColor: '#FFF3E0',
+  },
+  errorText: {
+    fontSize: 13,
+    color: '#E65100',
+    marginBottom: 8,
+  },
+  errorAction: {
+    paddingVertical: 8,
+    paddingHorizontal: 16,
+    borderRadius: 6,
+    backgroundColor: '#FF9800',
+    alignSelf: 'flex-start',
+  },
+  errorActionText: {
+    fontSize: 13,
+    fontWeight: '600',
+    color: '#FFF',
+  },
+  actions: {
+    flexDirection: 'row',
+    flexWrap: 'wrap',
+    justifyContent: 'flex-end',
+    gap: 8,
+    padding: 16,
+    borderTopWidth: 1,
+  },
+  button: {
+    paddingVertical: 10,
+    paddingHorizontal: 20,
+    borderRadius: 10,
+    minWidth: 100,
+    alignItems: 'center',
+  },
+  buttonPrimary: {},
+  buttonSecondary: {},
+  buttonGhost: {},
+  buttonText: {
+    fontSize: 14,
+    fontWeight: '600',
+  },
+});
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/carry-your-live/src/services/updates.ts b/carry-your-live/src/services/updates.ts
index 15ba33d..c5c9beb 100644
--- a/carry-your-live/src/services/updates.ts
+++ b/carry-your-live/src/services/updates.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 import Constants from 'expo-constants';
 import AsyncStorage from '@react-native-async-storage/async-storage';
+import * as FileSystem from 'expo-file-system/legacy';
+import * as IntentLauncher from 'expo-intent-launcher';
+import { Platform } from 'react-native';
 
 const GITEA_BASE_URL = 'https://gitea.techmos.org';
 const GITEA_OWNER = 'tech08mag';
@@ -12,6 +15,8 @@ export interface AppUpdate {
   notes: string;
   apkUrl: string | null;
   releaseUrl: string;
+  mandatory: boolean;
+  publishedAt: string;
 }
 
 export function getCurrentAppVersion(): string {
@@ -28,6 +33,13 @@ async function fetchWithTimeout(path: string, timeoutMs: number): Promise<Respon
   }
 }
 
+function parseMandatoryFromNotes(notes: string, tagName: string): boolean {
+  const mandatoryKeywords = ['mandatory', 'critical', 'security', 'breaking', 'required'];
+  const lowerNotes = notes.toLowerCase();
+  const lowerTag = tagName.toLowerCase();
+  return mandatoryKeywords.some(kw => lowerNotes.includes(kw) || lowerTag.includes(kw));
+}
+
 export async function fetchLatestRelease(): Promise<AppUpdate | null> {
   try {
     const response = await fetchWithTimeout(
@@ -40,14 +52,17 @@ export async function fetchLatestRelease(): Promise<AppUpdate | null> {
       (asset: { name?: string }) => asset.name && /\.apk$/i.test(asset.name),
     );
     const tagName: string = release.tag_name ?? release.name ?? '';
+    const notes: string = release.body ?? '';
     return {
       version: tagName.replace(/^v/i, ''),
       tagName,
-      notes: release.body ?? '',
+      notes,
       apkUrl: apkAsset?.browser_download_url ?? null,
       releaseUrl:
         release.html_url ??
         `${GITEA_BASE_URL}/${GITEA_OWNER}/${GITEA_REPO}/releases/tag/${tagName}`,
+      mandatory: parseMandatoryFromNotes(notes, tagName),
+      publishedAt: release.published_at ?? new Date().toISOString(),
     };
   } catch {
     return null;
@@ -91,4 +106,56 @@ export async function markPrompted(tagName: string): Promise<void> {
   } catch {
     // ignore
   }
+}
+
+export async function downloadAPK(
+  url: string,
+  onProgress?: (progress: number) => void
+): Promise<string | null> {
+  if (Platform.OS !== 'android') return null;
+
+  try {
+    const downloadDir = `${FileSystem.documentDirectory}downloads/`;
+    await FileSystem.makeDirectoryAsync(downloadDir, { intermediates: true });
+
+    const filename = `carry-your-live-${Date.now()}.apk`;
+    const filepath = `${downloadDir}${filename}`;
+
+    const downloadResumable = FileSystem.createDownloadResumable(
+      url,
+      filepath,
+      {},
+      (downloadProgress) => {
+        const progress = downloadProgress.totalBytesWritten / downloadProgress.totalBytesExpectedToWrite;
+        onProgress?.(progress);
+      }
+    );
+
+    const result = await downloadResumable.downloadAsync();
+    return result?.uri ?? null;
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.error('[Updates] Download failed:', error);
+    return null;
+  }
+}
+
+export async function installAPK(uri: string): Promise<boolean> {
+  if (Platform.OS !== 'android') return false;
+
+  try {
+    await IntentLauncher.startActivityAsync('android.intent.action.VIEW', {
+      data: uri.startsWith('file://') ? uri : `file://${uri}`,
+      type: 'application/vnd.android.package-archive',
+      flags: 1,
+    });
+    return true;
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.error('[Updates] Install failed:', error);
+    return false;
+  }
+}
+
+export async function openReleaseUrl(url: string): Promise<void> {
+  const { openURL } = await import('expo-linking');
+  await openURL(url);
 }
\ No newline at end of file