How To Fix Android App Not Installed Error

Many Android users sometimes need to install apps outside the Google Play Store when they cannot find them there. People install apps from any other third-party source in the form of an app .apk file. By default, the Android phone's settings restrict app installation outside the Play Store, and many times, Google Play may get stuck on downloading. You will see displaying an error message "Application not installed" or "App not installed" on your Android phone.

If you are also facing the same issue, i.e., the Android app not installed on your Android phone, you will get all the possible solutions here. However, it is always suggested to download apps on your Android device from a trusted source (Play Store). Downloading .apk files and installing them on the device is risky because it may contain harmful code or malware. Before proceeding to download an apk file and installation, verify the source platform and review its permissions.

The problem of "Android app not installed" in the device comes for both types of phone users, i.e., app developers/testers and end users. In this article, you will get the solution for both of these users. Check for your needs, whether you are looking for the solution while installing/testing the app as a developer or end-user consumer, and dive into your section directly.

Section 1: "How to fix Android app not installed" for end users
Section 2: "How to fix Android app not installed" for App Developer/tester

Section 1: "How to fix Android app not installed" for phone/app end users

If you are an app's end user looking to fix the issues of the Android app not being installed on your device, see the below points that are the causes of this error and the solution to how you can fix it.

Why is the Android app not installed?

Many reasons restrict App (.apk) installation on your Android phone. Some of them are illustrated below:

Insufficient Storage: If your device does not have adequate free internal storage space available, a new app you are trying to install will never get installed.
Google Security Feature: Installing such an app that Google blocklists will not get installed due to security features.
Corrupted App File: If you have downloaded an apk file that has corrupted and trying to install then it can't get installed on your phone.
Play Protect Security: It is a security program on Android devices that blocks app installation.
SD Card Not Mount in Device: If your App's apk file is in your SD card, ensure that your memory card is mounted. If you don't mount your SD card, it can't install any app on your phone from your card.
Incompatible App or Device: It might be possible that the App you are trying to install is not compatible with your Android device.
Apk File Location: Ensure that the apk file is present at a location that is accessible; otherwise, you will get issues. If your apk files are present inside the hidden folder or password-protected folder, you can't able to install them from there.
Application Permission: Several apps need to allow adequate app permissions; if you do not allow all of them, the App may not install on your device.

Common method to fix Android app not installed error

Now, look out for some common methods to fix Apps not getting installed on Android. Different phone model or OS version has different settings option to allow app installation. We have illustrated some tips based on various phone models or OS versions. Follow the below-discussed tips to get your problem resolved.

Clean storage space

If your phone does not have a sufficient amount of storage space available, the new App can't be installed. You should need to clean some storage space (as required by an app) on your phone by deleting unwanted files, apps, movies, etc. When this will free up space, the App gets installed easily.

Allow Chrome browser to install unknown apps:

By default, the mobile Chrome browser does not allow app installation outside the Play Store. You have to change this setting to enable so that you will be able to install the App outside the Play Store. Navigate to Settings > Apps & notification > App List > Chrome > toggle on Install unknown apps.

Allow Apps from Unknown Sources

To install the App from the apk file on your Android phone, you need to change the phone's settings to allow app installation from Unknown Sources. If you don't allow it, you will be unable to install apps manually from a third party (unknown source). You can enable this feature by visiting Settings > Security > Enable Unknown sources.

Reset All the App Preference

Another way to fix the app not installed on Android phones is resetting the app preference. It will set the device to the default application for actions. To set app preferences, go to Settings > Apps manager (or Apps) > check for Apps list, now tap on the menu icon (three dots) and finally tap on "Reset app preferences."

Avoid Installing APK from SD Card

If you have put the App's apk file in an SD card for installation, then it is suggested to avoid doing so. Other than this, download them from the official app store, such as Play Store or Samsung App Store for your Android device.

Use the Google Play Store

Trying to install an app installation from outside the Play Store will restrict you from installing an app there. Go back to the Google Play Store and download the app from there.

Mount SD Card

Even if the SD card is properly inserted into your Android phone but not mounted, you can't use the memory space of your SD card. Mounting the SD card makes it accessible, and you will able to install apps from there. To mount your SD card, navigate to Settings > Storage > and click on Mount SD card. Now, restart your phone and try installing the app. It will fix the app installation problem on your device.

Prefer app location wisely:

Don't change the location of the App to install; always allow the App to choose where it is to be placed. One of the best and recommended locations to place the App is the phone's internal storage.

Turn off Play Protect

By default, the Play Protect feature is enabled in Android devices for security reasons not to allow app installation outside the Play Store. You need to turn off this feature on your Android phone to let it install the app from another source. To turn off the Play Protect option, open the Google Play Store > profile icon > Play Protect > Settings > Scan apps with Play Protect > Turn off.

Use third-party application

If none of the above-discussed methods is able to fix "Android app not installed" issues, try the third-party application that repairs it. The third-party dedicated Android repair tool or application fixes your system from the very core. One such application is "ReiBoot for Android," which fixes your device's core files and allows you to fix almost all the problems related to your phone.

Download and install the ReiBoot for Android application on your PC.
Turn on the USB debugging option in your Android phone by navigating Settings > Developer options.
Launch the application on your computer and then connect your phone to your PC.
When the application detects your phone, click on the Repair Android System on the application screen.
Click on the Repair Now button on the screen to proceed.
The application will ask you to enter details about your phone. Provide the information in the appropriate field and click on the Next button.
When the firmware is fully downloaded on your Android device, click on the Repair Now button to start fixing the problem.
Now, go through the on-screen instructions to start the device repair process. When the repair process is finished, click on the Done button.

You are all set to solve the problem of Android apps not installed on your phone. Now, install the App on your phone without facing any issues.

How do we fix system issues with the App not installing using DroidKit

If there is an issue in your Android device that prevents app installation, you can fix it using a third-party DroidKit desktop application. Following are the steps on how you can use the DroidKit tool to fix system issues:

Download and install the DroidKit application's setup on your PC. Launch the application and click on the System Fix section.
Connect your phone to your computer using the USB cable and click on the Start button.
The application scans your phone to download the firmware package. Now, click on the Download Now button.
After downloading the firmware package, tap on Fix Now, and then follow the on-screen instructions to put your device into download mode.
Finally, DroidKit will start repairing the device system.
After a few moments, you will get the System Fixed Successfully page; click Complete to finish the process.

Section 2: "How to fix Android app not installed" for App Developer/tester

As an app developer/tester, when you try to install an app that is incompatible with your device's operating system and software, it may not install successfully. You will see a message that displays "App not installed." Below, we have illustrated some points that are the causes of this error and the solution to how you can fix it on your device (as a developer).

Possible reasons for "App not installed" on Android device

The device's storage may get full, which restricts the Android package installer from dysfunction.
Apk bundles may not support simple apk Arch installation.
The App build may be corrupted, or some of the core files have been changed knowingly or unknowingly.
The issue might be in the file itself. Check the min SDK version in the Gradel file to see whether it is suitable for your device.
Installing the unsigned App also causes the App not installed issues.
The application might not support the Android version.

Top way to fix App (apk) not installed error on Android

If the App (apk file) is not installed on your Android phone, follow the below-mentioned best solution to fix this issue.

Sign the Unsigned App

First, download and install the ZipSigner app on your phone.
Open the application.
In the app dashboard interface, tap on Choose input/output and browse apk file.
Tap on the Sign the File option.
Complete the sign-in process, and then install the signed apk on your phone.

Change app code

Make some changes in the SDK or version code to fix it. This method also works for Fire TV and Firestick. To do so, here is the easy way to use the third-party APK Editor app.

Download and install the APK Editor app from "www.digitbin.com/apk-editor-download/."
Open the APK Editor application and click on "Select an APK File."
Browse the apk from the location where you place.
Click the App and choose the "Common Edit" option.
On the next screen, change the installation location for the App on your phone.
You can also make changes in the version code of the App to any older one that is supported by your phone. But try this option if the location change does not work.
Apply the changes you made in the APK Editor app.
Uninstall the similar pre-installed App and install the modified App from the APK editor.

Clear Data and Cache of Package Installer

Cleaning up the data and cache of the package installer also fixes the issues of the Android app not being installed. Following are the steps to clear the data and cache of the package installer:

Open the Settings App on your Android device.
Tap on the Apps Manager option.
Under the System Apps, look for the Package Installer App.
Tap on Clear data and Clear cache (or storage based on device OS version) to clean data and cache.
Clear the app data and cache to fix this problem.

Disable Google Play Protect

By default, the Play Protect feature is enabled in Android devices for security reasons not to allow app installation outside the Play Store. It scans the installed apps or apps that are going to be installed to check it should not contain any malware or viruses. If Play Protect finds any harmful code, it blocks the app installation.

If you are getting an app installation error, disable Play Protect and try once again. Following are the steps to disable Play Protect on your phone.