How to fix app not installed on Android (2024)

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Android is excellent for using apps and having a smooth smartphone experience. However, you may encounter annoying messages, like ‘App Not Installed,’ when installing apps, especially those from ‘unknown sources.’ This issue is common in Android KitKat, Lollipop, Marshmallow, and similar versions.

When you attempt to install an app that isn’t compatible with your device’s operating system or software, it may fail to install, leading to the ‘App Not Installed’ error. There are several possible reasons for this error:

• Corrupted App Build: The app’s installation files may be damaged, or some core files might have been altered, intentionally or accidentally.
• Full Device Storage: If your device’s storage is full, it can prevent the package installer from functioning correctly, causing installation problems.
• Incompatible APK Bundles: Trying to install APK bundles that don’t support straightforward APK Arch installation can lead to errors.
• Android Manifest Issues: The Android Manifest, which contains permissions and settings for the app, may have errors that result in installation problems.
• Gradle File Problems: Issues in the Gradle file, such as an incompatible minimum SDK version, can cause installation failures.
• Unsigned Apps: Attempting to install an unsigned app can trigger this error.
• Unsupported Android Version: The app may not be compatible with your Android version.

Before attempting any fixes, it’s advisable to uninstall any previously installed apps of the same kind and then try installing the app again to see if the issue is resolved.

How to fix app not installed on Android

To quickly resolve the issue of “App not installed” on Android, follow these simple solutions:

• Allow Chrome to Install Unknown Apps: Go to your device’s settings, find the “Apps” or “Application Manager” section, locate “Chrome,” and enable the option that allows it to install apps from unknown sources. This step permits Chrome to install apps not directly from the Google Play Store.
• Clear Cache for Key Apps: Still in your device’s settings, go to the “Apps” or “Application Manager” section again. This time, find and select “Google Play Store,” “Google Play Services,” and “Package Installer.” Clear the cache for each of these apps. This can help resolve installation issues.
• Turn Off Play Protect: In the Google Play Store app, tap the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) and go to “Play Protect.” Disable Play Protect temporarily. Sometimes, it may wrongly flag apps as harmful, preventing their installation.
• Free Up Android Storage: If your device has limited storage space, consider removing unnecessary apps or files to free up space. Having insufficient storage can prevent new apps from being installed.

By following these steps, you can often fix the “App not installed” issue on your Android device and successfully install the desired app.

More solutions to fix app not installed errors on Android

Use an older version of the App

If you’re having trouble with the latest version of an app because it doesn’t work on your device, you can try downloading and using an older version of the app.

Sometimes, newer versions of apps have requirements that your device doesn’t meet, so using an older version can be a workaround. If the older version works, it means your device might not be compatible with the latest app version, which could have specific system requirements.

Avoid installation from SD Card

Avoid Installation from SD Card: It’s advisable not to install apps from an SD card.

If the APK is downloaded or if you are trying to install it from an external mount: This situation applies when you’ve downloaded an app file (APK) or when you’re attempting to install it from an external source, like an SD card or other external storage.

In many cases, it would not be possible due to contamination of the file: Often, this can’t be done because the app file might have issues or errors. Think of it like a corrupted or damaged file.

The installer may not completely parse the package from mounted storage: The installer on your device might struggle to fully understand the app package if it’s on external storage (like an SD card).

The best solution, in this case, is to download the APK onto your internal storage and try installing the App: To avoid these issues, it’s recommended to save the app file on your phone’s internal storage and then install the app. This way, your phone’s installer can handle it correctly.

Your mobile package installer will accept the files without any errors: When the app file is on your phone’s internal storage, the installer on your device will work smoothly and won’t encounter any problems during the installation process.

Reset all the app preference

To reset all the app preferences on your Android device, follow these steps:

1. Open the “Settings” on your Android device.
2. Look for and select “Apps” or “Apps Manager” from the menu.
3. Find and tap on “All Apps.”
4. In the top-right corner, tap on the menu icon (usually represented by three dots or lines).
5. From the menu, click on “Reset App Preferences.”

This action will reset all the settings and preferences for your installed apps to their default configurations. It won’t delete your apps or their data, but it will clear any custom settings you’ve applied.

Root devices

“Root devices” refers to smartphones or tablets that have undergone a process called “rooting,” which grants users elevated access to their device’s operating system. When you have a rooted device, it can significantly increase your chances of successfully performing certain tasks or modifications that are otherwise restricted on non-rooted devices.

To install apps or make system-level changes on a rooted device, you can follow these steps:

Using a Root Explorer App:

1. Download and open a root explorer app on your rooted device. Root explorer apps allow you to access and modify system files.
2. Copy the APK (Android application package) file of the app you want to install.
3. Navigate to the “system > app” directory using the root explorer and grant the necessary permissions to the app.
4. You will now see the app installed on your device.

Using Lucky Patcher:

1. Download, install, and open Lucky Patcher (you can find it by searching on Google).
2. In Lucky Patcher, tap on the “Toolbox” option.
3. Click on “Patch to Android.”
4. Check the boxes that say “Signature Verification status always true” and “Disable APK Signature Verification,” then click “Apply.”
5. If your device doesn’t automatically reboot, manually reboot it.

These steps are intended for users with rooted devices and provide the ability to install and modify apps with elevated permissions. However, please note that rooting a device may void its warranty and can have security risks, so it should be done with caution and only by those who understand the potential consequences.

Change app codes

To change app codes and install a modified version of an app on your device, follow these steps:

1. Download APK Editor App: First, download the APK Editor app (you can find it by searching on Google).
2. Open APK Editor App: Launch the APK Editor app and select “Select an Apk File.” Search for the app you want to modify and install.
3. Choose the App: Click on the app you want to modify and select the “common edit” option.
4. Change Install Location: In the common edit settings, change the “Install Location” to a different option that is suitable for your device. This step is for changing where the app is installed on your device.
5. Change Version Code (Optional): If changing the install location doesn’t work, you can also try changing the “Version Code” of the app to an older one that is supported by your device.
6. Apply Changes: Apply the changes within the APK Editor App.
7. Uninstall Original App: Uninstall the original app that you want to replace with the modified version. You can usually do this through your device’s settings or app management.
8. Install Modified App: Finally, install the modified app from the APK Editor. This is the version with the changes you made.

By following these steps, you can change the install location or version code of an app and install a modified version on your device.

Sign the unsigned app

To sign an unsigned app, follow these steps:

1. Download and install ZipSigner from the Google Play Store.
2. Open the ZipSigner app.
3. On the app dashboard, tap on “Choose input/output” and find the APK file you want to sign.
4. After selecting the APK file, tap on “Sign the file.”
5. Wait for the signing process to finish.
6. Once it’s done, you can install the signed APK.

This process ensures that the app is properly signed and ready for installation.

Miscellaneous fixes

Here are other miscellaneous fixes for app not installed error on Android:

Delete .android_secure/smdl2tmpl.asec file from your SD Card:

• To fix issues on your phone, locate the “.android_secure” folder on your SD card.
• Inside this folder, find and delete a file named “smdl2tmpl.asec.” This step helps to remove any potential corrupted data that might be causing problems.

Reboot the phone and even remove the battery if possible:

• Restart your phone. If it’s possible to remove the battery, you can do so before turning it back on. This action helps refresh the device’s settings and clear any temporary glitches.

Uninstall all previous versions of the app or apps with the same resemblance currently installed on your device:

• Check your device for any previous versions of the problematic app or any similar apps that might be conflicting.
• Uninstall these older versions to ensure there are no conflicts between different versions of the same app.

Remove the SD card, and also do not connect your device to a PC while you install the apk:

• Take out the SD card from your phone. This step prevents any potential interference with the installation process.
• Additionally, avoid connecting your device to a PC while you’re in the process of installing the apk (Android application package). This ensures a clean installation without any disruptions.

By following these steps, you can address various issues on your Android device, such as app conflicts or data corruption..

Why is the APK app not installed?

The APK app may not be installed for several reasons:

• Chrome Permissions: If you haven’t allowed Chrome to install apps from unknown sources, it won’t install the APK.
• Play Protect: If Play Protect, a security program on Android, detects any potential security risks in the APK, it will block installation.
• Insufficient Storage: If your device doesn’t have enough available storage space, the APK won’t install.
• Incompatible Android Version: Sometimes, the APK may not be compatible with your Android version. In this case, it won’t install.
• Corrupted File: If the APK file is corrupted or incomplete, it won’t install on your device.

You need to address these issues to successfully install the APK app on your Android device.

What is the problem when phone says app not installed?

When your phone says “app not installed,” the problem could be caused by corrupted storage, including a corrupted SD card. This error can also occur when the internal storage is full of unnecessary data, which may contain something that disrupts the storage.