[Q] couldn't install on usb storage or sd card - Nexus 7 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So I am getting an "couldn't install on usb storage or sd card" error with paid apps via the google play store. It is preventing updating paid apps as well as installing new ones.
I have tried a handful of different fixes found by searching XDA, rootzwiki & google but nothing has made any headway with the problem.
Specifically, I have tried:
Changing kernels as per suggestions on the internet
Faux123's 9/09 released kernel, Franco's r6, Trinity Seven, default kernels with PA2.10-2.12 as well as the default kernel with AOKP build 1
I tried to find the smdl2tmp.asec file in the two places I found mentioned through my previous searches, but I am assuming that its location is for versions < JB since those directories don't seem to be present on my N7.
Many people also mention unmounting -> remounting the SD card fixes their issues, but with only the one storage location in the N7 it doesn't seem to apply to this device, unless I am really missing something.
I've also cleared the play stores cache specifically as well as doing a full on cache+dalvik cache clear from TWRP.
On AOKP the problem appeared immediately after flashing the new ROM but with ParanoidAndroid the problem manifested itself later. With PA I have been able to install paid apps but after a certain point it begins to kick this error my way. This would be acceptable since I don't use many paid apps except for the fact it is also blocking updates. Also, I don't think it is a faulty SDcard as everything else seems to work fine with regards to it.
If there is more useful information I can give please let me know and I will. Any ideas and advice is appreciated.
EDIT: I just read a workaround where someone installed the app on another device and then dropboxed themselves over the apk. I don't have another android device to try this with, but another idea would be to install the app manually after google play downloads it, but I can't seem to locate where the play store puts the files it downloads.

I am having that exact same problem with my Motorola Droid RAZR Maxx after installing a new ROM. I have actually installed two different ROM's, and I keep getting the same error message: "Couldn't be installed to USB storage or SD card."
I have tried searching for that tmp file, but couldn't find it. I also re-mounted the SD card, and I tried installing the app with the SD card safely removed and installed.
I can't even install my favorite XDA-Developers app, so I'm using the browser to navigate the forums. I dislike browsers.

[x] said:
I am having that exact same problem with my Motorola Droid RAZR Maxx after installing a new ROM. I have actually installed two different ROM's, and I keep getting the same error message: "Couldn't be installed to USB storage or SD card."
I have tried searching for that tmp file, but couldn't find it. I also re-mounted the SD card, and I tried installing the app with the SD card safely removed and installed.
I can't even install my favorite XDA-Developers app, so I'm using the browser to navigate the forums. I dislike browsers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1965039

Related

need help: about to smash the phone on the wall

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
need help. this is quickly going from my favorite phone to a PIECE OF CRAP I WANT TO SMASH ON THE WALL.
there's a thread i made yesterday. short version after rebooting the phone none of the apps in the sd card were accessible, the phone couldn't mount the sd card, and nothing would install in market. i flashed new roms, restored nandroid backups, nothing would fix the issue. finally narrowed it down to some file on the sd card. deleted all the files from the sd card and restored my last good nandroid and got the phone running, just had to re-install my apps.
i've spent all day installing all my apps (200+). everything was working just fine again. until i decide to reboot the phone. and now I'M BACK TO THE SAME ISSUE. none of the sd card apps work, in settings if i try to unmount the sd card i get a FC, switchpro can't change the mount status (says updating status but never changes the icon, so it's either unmounted or mounted, but wont change it), and nothing will install in the market.
i put back my original memory card (that i used yesterday in my testing) and the phone worked fine again. i installed root explorer (was on sd card, now to the phone). put my memory card back.
i am able to browse the sd card with root explorer. gallery sees the images from the sd card. beautiful widgets sees the skin files in the sd card. but the OS wont run any of my apps that are in the sd card and wont let me install anything.
i'm 100% if i delete all the files from the sd card and boot again, everything will work....but what the hell is causing this? i dont have any experimental/alpha apps that would do any damage after being installed. just a few apps and many games.
from my end it feels like there is a file that gets created at one point, that after rebooting the phone makes it so the phone can't mount the sd card, thus not able to install apps, run sd card apps, etc.
please give me some guidance here. i can't use my phone if i can't isntall apps!!!
i got so pissed almost smashed it
i'm using MetroDroid 1.0, rooted (nand too), customized matted blues theme. keep in mind the problem does not go away with a fresh install of the rom, or with a nand restore of cm6....i'm pretty sure it's down to a file issue within the sd card?
There is a file or app being installed on the sd card that is causing the sd card to corrupt.
CM Powered
you really need 200 apps?
****, i'd say therein lies the root of your problems...
have you tried installing each app one at a time, and rebootung after each one? Eventually you'll run into the same issue, but at least then you'll know which app is causing it.
Sent from my blah blah blah blah
fachadick said:
have you tried installing each app one at a time, and rebootung after each one? Eventually you'll run into the same issue, but at least then you'll know which app is causing it.
Sent from my blah blah blah blah
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a lot of apps to go through to find the culprit.
I would try reformatting your card. Then go about installing your apps again. Besides that I have no idea, could be an app or a retarded lemon of a phone.
^^ what he said... Don't just delete the files on your memory card, format it!
Beejis said:
That's a lot of apps to go through to find the culprit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, yeah, its also a lot of rebooting - its more of a last resort kind of suggestion. To be used right before throwing it at the wall.
Sent from my blah blah blah blah
please smash it PLEASE !!!
200 + apps FFS why in the hell do you need 200 + apps
i forget the apps 2 sd hack, I used to run it on my hero and nothing but issues cause of it
stangdriverdoug said:
There is a file or app being installed on the sd card that is causing the sd card to corrupt.
CM Powered
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's my latest theory. i'm going to try renaming all the folders in the sd card and rebooting. seeing if i can pinpoint which folder first...then the file
turn said:
you really need 200 apps?
****, i'd say therein lies the root of your problems...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well according to titanium backup i ahve about 310 apps installed. i have many games, most of which i play. then i have several live wallpapers, widgets, tools, media players, news apps, messaging apps, etc. i have everything organized with app organizer and it doesnt feel like that many.
tek818 said:
^^ what he said... Don't just delete the files on your memory card, format it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's the thing. yesterday i reformatted in-phone and i also formatted in the computer. then put the files back on (made a backup first) and this happened after installing the apps. i think i rebooted maybe 3 times in the process of installing all the apps today. the last reboot was only to test the theory that on MetroDroid data only works if you reboot with Wi-Fi off. so i really wasn't expecting the whole thing to stop working again!
EDIT: where in the memory card exactly are the app files?
XDA will not tolerate this thread. Your profanity is unacceptable and unhealthy to some viewer. Admin please remove this tread and banned this user.
no need for all the pointless swearing. next time post more civil
Unless you have transferred said apps to your SD card they will not show.
yang704 said:
XDA will not tolerate this thread. Your profanity is unacceptable and unhealthy to some viewer. Admin please remove this tread and banned this user.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
really? thank you for your helpful post. i posted a very detailed and civil thread yesterday and where were you with helpful information? nowhere. and where is your helpful information now? nowhere. so why even come in the thread if you're not going to help?
@toast - thanks for editing the OP. i dont usually make the pissed off kind of threads but this time it served its purpose. the last two days i had a very well written, detailed thread explaining everything asking for help. i renamed it several times. bumped it 2-3 times. all i got was two responses. i post this one with profanity in the title and look at how many answers already. some of which seem to be pointing me somewhere right hopefully!
it's very frustrating to see picture threads and mod threads get useful (and useless) comments every minute and threads asking for help (i've seen this happen with my own threads in the past and many others) get ignored. specially considering by the time I get to ask for help i've spent hours trying to fix it on my own and researching before asking here.
-----------------
VOODOOTRIP i put back most of the files that were in the memory card prior to reformatting it. anyways i installed all the apps again today after that and haven't reformatted yet (what's the point?) so the apps are in the sd card. just need to figure out how to get the phone to access the card!
EDIT: i renamed all the folders in the sd card (without reformatting or deleting anything) and booted into the phone. was able to mount/unmount the card and install apps from market. so it is a file in there...now to figure out which one!
You can access the card from root exp. or from Astro? ie it's still showing the extension right? When was the last time it was working properly? What rom were you on when it first started happeneing? Have you downloaded any non market apps since then? Are all your roms on current update? You said you have tried both a sense and AOSP rom right?
i was able to narrow it down....it's a file within .androidsecure...so now i have to sort through 131 files in there. but at least there's a light at the end of the tunnel!
with .androidsecure renamed i am able to install apps, mount/unmount. etc. so it's got to be something in there that is loading when the phone loads...i wonder what?
i'll update when i find out in case anyone comes across this problem too.
VOODOOTRIP said:
You can access the card from root exp. or from Astro? ie it's still showing the extension right? When was the last time it was working properly? What rom were you on when it first started happeneing? Have you downloaded any non market apps since then? Are all your roms on current update? You said you have tried both a sense and AOSP rom right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
see info above (quickly....yes, no (astro is in sd card), about three days ago, MetroDroid, since then couldn't download/install anything, everything is updated, tried both CM6.0 and this rom. but see above. since problem is a file in the .androidsecure folder, whether i was wiping and going to cm6 or back to sense that file wouldn't be modified by the recovery wipe correct?
I know the problem its the 200 apps or one app not getting along with another app. You are the first person that I have come across that has that many apps 200+ apps is a crazy amount of apps.
jdh10475 said:
I know the problem its the 200 apps or one app not getting along with another app. You are the first person that I have come across that has that many apps 200+ apps is a crazy amount of apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well there are 131 asec files in that folder. so at least 131 apps + the ones on the phone memory.
but why the surprise with the amount of apps? isn't that why we get 16gb and 32gb memory cards?
the problem file was
se.nena.nenamark1-1.asec
for the benchmark NenaMark
that was the last app i had installed before i overclocked my phone into rebooting. and that's when the problems starting. hindsight is always 20/20
new development. i installed another app and rebooted and the same error happened. NenaMark was off from the android_secure folder but i was back to 131 files. i removed some other apps and booted again and everything is fine. so it looks like 130 .asec files are the limit? at 131 files I get the same problem?
moved 130 of the 131 files back and the phone ran fine. put that one file in, and problems came back. removed the file and all is well again.
I was having problems with my phone and once I accidents ran a check disk via win 7 it found and fixed some corruption, also my symptoms went away. In fact even my video recordings loom much better.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

[Q] App Installation Failure [Answered]

I am trying to install an app with an .apk on my sd card. Using the app manage on the phone i try and install it and immediately get the message 'Application not installed'. Usually i would unmount the sd card and try again, and it would usually work, but obviously if the apk is on the sd card, unmounting it makes me no longer able to access the apk to install it. I have also tried the 'Android central sideload wonder machine' to install the app, but got the error 'install failed container error'. I would really like to be able to install this app.
Is there any place that i can put the apk and still be able to access to install it when i have unmounted the sd card, or is there another solution?
Thanks in advance.
Hey
not much specific info in your question so its not poss to give a specific answer, few questions tho...
-is it a system app, e.g. htc camera...
-have you tried to modify the apk, if so, has it been re-signed?
What app are you trying to install?
I am using rafdroid on sd
I have tried two different apps, can knockdown and jet car stunts, both of which failed to install. I haven't modified them.
Thanks.
Cache too small? Would be my first guess but I don't use sd
trilbyfish said:
I am using rafdroid on sd
I have tried two different apps, can knockdown and jet car stunts, both of which failed to install. I haven't modified them.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its been a while since ive used an sd build, but i remember having similar issues with angry birds, 2 things to try:
1. unmount then remount & try to install
or
2. try installing via your pc using HTCSync
Yay! Installing the application using HTC sync worked
I downloaded HTC sync only yesterday, and removed it thinking i didn't need it!
Thanks again!

[Q] After Kitkat, some apps automatically try to install to SD and won't run??

Ever since KitKat some of the Apps I've downloaded from Google Play have installed to my SD card by themselves and then are unable to run. I'll have the icon listed on the screen, but when I try to run it it will say "Unfortunately, com.edc.nyc has stopped" for example. I go and look at the app in Applicaton Manager and it's listed as being on the SD card and even though I never moved it there, it installed there. When I try to move it to Device Storage it gives me the same error. This has happened with multiple apps that I have never installed installed on the SD card before kitkat. It's like something has decided to install them to the SD card instead of Device Memory, but they won't run anyway. I uninstall them, clean things up, reboot, and try to install them again and then it installs them to again to SD and they fail to run. Any ideas what would be causing this and how to fix it? My Note's not rooted or anything.
kidqwik said:
Ever since KitKat some of the Apps I've downloaded from Google Play have installed to my SD card by themselves and then are unable to run. I'll have the icon listed on the screen, but when I try to run it it will say "Unfortunately, com.edc.nyc has stopped" for example. I go and look at the app in Applicaton Manager and it's listed as being on the SD card and even though I never moved it there, it installed there. When I try to move it to Device Storage it gives me the same error. This has happened with multiple apps that I have never installed installed on the SD card before kitkat. It's like something has decided to install them to the SD card instead of Device Memory, but they won't run anyway. I uninstall them, clean things up, reboot, and try to install them again and then it installs them to again to SD and they fail to run. Any ideas what would be causing this and how to fix it? My Note's not rooted or anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Leave the SD card out and try installing the apps.
airmaxx23 said:
Leave the SD card out and try installing the apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! That worked! It's weird it started doing this all of a sudden though. Are apps allowed to pick and choose where they are installed like that though or would Android be routing the file to the SD? It looks like the apps actually installed on the SD card too which I thought Kitkat was supposed to prevent?

Download apps directly to your SD card

I'm new here and I'm not sure if this has been asked or addressed before.
My situation is that I recently got an SD card to hopefully combat the constant insufficient storage issue. What I learnt is that it wasn't that easy. I tried many proposed solutions (link2sd, manually trying to move apps to the sd card from the application manager, using abd to try and change the install location and then finally rooting) but none proved to be the answer.
When I tried using abd, at first it would give me an error message but after going into Terminator emulator and changing it from there, it said that worked, even did pm get-install-location and it said that it was set to the external and even went as far as running cmd from my computer and this time it said it also worked. I downloaded some apps and once again they were downloading to the internal storage.
I would really appreciate if someone could help me with this or at least point me in the right direction.

Installing Android OS on SD Card for Galaxy Y GT-S5360

Hello,
As many users have the same problem, I am suffering from the lack of memory of my Galaxy Y GT-S5360 phone.
I would like to install the Android OS on the SD card and use it as the internal storarge of the phone.
I have done some research about it and found some stuff; however, I do not have enough knowledge to do this. Actually, I have not even installed ROM to a phone before.
There are some software that I may use such as Odin but I do not know if it gives the opportunity to select the installation directory.
I hope I can get help here
Edit:
I have tried to use Link2SD but it does not worked as I expected. It does not give the opportunity to move system apps to the hidden part of the SD card.
I have learned how to use Odin basically and installed Hyperion9. It has been working well up till now; however, my storage problem still continues.
Also there is a new problem shown up. I cannot install the latest version of the WhatsApp from Google Play Store or from an .apk file. It gives errors for both options. For the first one, it gives a "Patch is not valid" error and for the second one, a parsing error occurs.
I have seen a topic that gives information how to boot a ROM from SD card but as I said before, I do not have enough knowledge to do it.

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