Database Users

[Q] APKs won't sideload via adb or a file manager

So I am trying to load a couple of apks I have and it's been no go. On my Epic I usually just dropbox, open, and install. I tried that and initially got the security message. That is already taken care of via nookcolor tools. So that isn't the issue. My issue is every time I go to install I go to Astro, open the file via the "open app manager," it takes me to the info install page...I click install and it loads into the package installer, excellent...and then it just stalls and the progress bar runs and runs but never progresses. This has happened with every apk I have now tried.
Okay...so I figured I'd just go the little more involved (very little, no need to be that lazy, right) route and adb install. Well carp. All goes well, I adb install blahblah.apk and it starts rolling..."570kb blah..etc pkg /blah/temp/blah"...and just hangs there...never to give me the gratifying "success" message. Again, I have tried this with different apks that I know work and the same results. I restored to stock and rerooted, just in case. Same
I am running stock rooted (manualnooter) at this point, just got the nook day before yesterday (one of the many who jumped at the refurbs). Market apps download fine. I'm a blue dot, if that makes any diff. Likely not but meh.
I have searched and googled and not found the answers...but I know I am missing something elementally simple. My luck I'll look like an idiot and it will be a "did you check to see if you had any gas?" broken down car scenario. I'm okay with that, as long as I'm running again. I'm pretty sure I checked all the out of gas scenarios but I likely missed one or two so... any help is much appreciated. Thanks a ton...
I should know better than trying to write before coffee

Well, My answer is not a "check gas" answer. It's pretty dang weird.
1. Download ES Explorer from the market.
2. Start ES Explorer, hit Menu>Settings. Goto Root Options (NEW) and tick both check boxes. Hit allow when it asks you to.
3. Go back twice, until you see your sd card contents. Find the APK on there and select and hold. Hit copy and then hit the 1st button on the row of buttons (it's an icon of an sd card OR a Home icon) If you see a data folder, go in to it. If not, hit the 1st button again.
3. Once in the data folder, go into the app folder. Pull up the little white tab on the bottom. Tap the APK you wanted to install. It will copy. Once you see the APK's icon in the folder, hit the home button and restart. That should have installed it but it is a slow method. Note that you can Multi-Select APK's by pressing the Multi-select button and pasting them all in the /data/app/ folder.

are you sure you have side loading checked
Settings > applications should be the top box.

fnordsnafu said:
So I am trying to load a couple of apks I have and it's been no go. On my Epic I usually just dropbox, open, and install. I tried that and initially got the security message. That is already taken care of via nookcolor tools. So that isn't the issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think he already took care of that. And he is on stock, so there is no Applications setting.

ikingblack, thank you, thank you!
Not sure why but by doing this it somehow unsnafued the package installer as well (fingers crossed). I went through your instructions with a known good apk that would not install for anything before. And there it was after the copy, paste reboot etc. Not too much to ask for...still was confused as to the why of the normal package installer method not working. So I decided to give it (package inst) a go with another known working apk (I had just tested it on my epic) that previously wouldn't install, repeatedly, and now it installed just like it should. Scratching my head in wonder. It shouldn't be the reboot, as I have do so many times...the only difference is the install instructions and adding ES (I'm leaving astro behind I think). All I know is it is working and I am a happy camper (tent is in the back yard...) Thanks again! cheers!

Sure. Also, you can select all the APK's using the 2-file icon at the top and tapping the APKs, then press-and hold on one of the APk's and then go to data app, and keep tapping the APK's you wanna copy. And then reboot. Enjoy your Nook!

Thanks for this, it fixed it, but I don't know why.
I suffered this issue on my dell streak.
It was working fine a couple of days ago when I installed GetJar.
Suddenly today for no reason I can determine:
All APK's I tried the install button in the package installer was not grayed out, but it would not respond when pressed.
I've just been setting up my streak again and installing a lot of software. I'm guessing something must of gone wrong.
Someone on another post suggested JuiceDefender may have caused it but I've not installed that recently.
In my case I did:
(1) Installed esFileExplorer
(2) Copied an apk to the folder /data/app/ as described above
(3) restarted the phone
This did not install the app for me.
(4) Tried running the apk file again. Suddenly the Install button is clickable again?! The app then installed just fine.
(5) Tried a different apk (without copying to /data/app/)
Now that will install fine?!
This is really weird. I can't replicate the issue now (which is good!)
but I also can't tell which action fixed it.
As said above it may have been installing esfileexplorer and giving it root access.
It may have been the act of copying the file that reset something.
It wasn't the reboot, at lease not on its own as i'd already tried it.
Regardless, thanks for the info.
If anyone sees this issue again you might want to just try installing esfileexplorer and see if apk's will then install.
This might help us identify which bit of the process is creating the fix.
Just found another suggestion if anyone is interested:
Some suggests using the 'Fix permissions' option of Titanium Backup. I have no way to test this.

[Q] Package installer stopped installing

Suddenly my package installer button "Install" became useless. I was trying to install an APK file, but when I pushed "Install" nothing happened. The button wouldn't click and the program wouldn't install. When I click an APK file from a file mgr. the installer pops up OK. I tried a hundred different APK files with no success. I reinstalled the Package Installer from TiBackup. It looks fine. The "Cancel" button works fine, but that all it does. Strangely, program updates from Play Store install great (of course, they bypass the Package Installer dialog.) Tablet works great otherwise; isn't bricked, just cannot add new or reinstall any apps.
Can anyone tell me how to correct this problem without having to completely wipe the A500 and reinstall Android? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Broke settings.

So i installed the samsung s5 lockscreen, or at least attempted to, I never realized you needed to flash in recovery. First I backed my files up. Then with the zip all I did was copy the files down to system in EZ Explorer, when I found out that my settings.apk went missing and the home button didnt work(or the lockscreen) I tried to restore my files, I restart my phone but no change still no settings and home button doesnt interact at all. (Stock S4 with Root)
(Also I cannot install apps anymore) Any help greatly appreciated!

I think you can solve this by Android development bridge (adb). In a few words, this is a way you can modify your internal memory from your ?. So, you have to push all backup.
If you don't know how to use it, in this page there are a lot of helpful post.

marniba1 said:
I think you can solve this by Android development bridge (adb). In a few words, this is a way you can modify your internal memory from your ?. So, you have to push all backup.
If you don't know how to use it, in this page there are a lot of helpful post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry the app creates a backup, or do I need to have a previously installed backup?

Messed up even further!
Guys I tried to factory reset hoping to fix the problem, but as the config window opens up, I'm flooded with errors. My question is should I just install a ROM and hope that fixes it, or just go to my provider and go by the warranty?(Root I used is towelroot, so it should be gone after FR, so the warranty should still be good.)

Found a fix!
I did what it says here, works perfect except for wifi(Other then that its great)
www(dot)droidviews(dot)com/install-android-4-4-2-kitkat-firmware-on-canadian-galaxy-s4/

Samsung A20 Stock ROM, No Root - Package Installer Issue, Cant Install APKs

This is my moms phone first off, she got it used from my sister. When she got it it had been factory reset but since my sister forgot her PIN part of setting the phone up for her was to log in with my sisters old information first to make sure it wasnt stolen. I mention this in case that might have had some bearing on anything.
The issue is when trying to sideload apps onto the phone and you tap on an APK file it comes up with the Text, Image, Video, Other popup as if you tapped on Open File As. Its as though the Android Package Installer thats built in isnt associated with APK files kinda like youd have file associations in Windows. As a temporary workaround I have gone and grabbed a third party APK installer app off the Play Store but that still isnt ideal as to install anything you have to go through that app then.
She has ES File Explorer installed and even tapn hold on an APK and using ES's Install option it uses the built in Package Installer so it doesnt work. Oh and Unknown Sources is of course enabled.
I would like to fix this without completely reinstalling the entire ROM with ODIN if I can help it or completely factory resetting the phone again.

[HOW_TO] [NO_ROOT] [NO_ADB] [WORKAROUND] Echo Show 15 sideload APK works with latest Firmware

Hi
it is a long time ago.
Lastweek I got the fireTV update on the Amazon echo show 15. Without this change/update no chance for me to sideload apks. Funny is before the update the firmware is V7.5.5.5 and after firetv installation it is V7.5.0.1. Don't ask me why. Maybe they drunk to much.
But it took me 20 min to find a workaround to sidekoade apks.
@Amazon_Devs: Stop reading here. DO NOT BLOCK this workaround, make the launcher selectable again and bring the same Dev functions like on fireTV! THANK YOU!
I am not responsible for any damage or warranty loss
So end of the political messages.
For the first apk i would install Firefox apk(with it you can download more apps more comfortable)
1. Open FireTV Icon
2. Open appstore
3. Get Downloader, Totalus (launcher) and Total comander from Amazon fireTV appstore
(All the Apps do not work with touch.)
4. Open App Downloader
5. Select with onscreenremote "Browser"
6. Look for a page where you can get Firefox apk. I used uptodown
7. Download the apk (i recomend Firefox)
9. Go to total comander
10.Move with total comander the downloaded file from path Downloader to Downloads
11. Open totalus launcher
12. Open the blue folder (system file explorer)
13.Klick on Downloads
14. There should be your downloaded apk.
15. Install it
Ok done
When you install Firefox nextime you will have a browser which support touch functionality and when you download the next APK it will be directly stored in the Folder Downloads
Then just repeat the last steps 11-15.
Limitations:
Getting permissions is like Russian roulette storage is no problem. Special rights or higher permission can't confirmed in the system settings.
Dev options are available but it is the same **** as before.
Ok so now to the use cases:
I use this (now) awsome 15.6 zoll screen in my citchen to controll everything via homeassistant.
If you a owner of a Fritzbox Cable you can install Fritz TV apk direktly from AVM and you get a nice TV.
Homeassistant (you can enable in the app settings stay activ)
Spotify
Firefox
Total comander as an apk (not the Amazon appstore version. Remove it and install total comamder apk and you can controll it with the touchscreen)
I tired Nova launcher and Microsoft launcher
F DROID Can't install apks
Playstore (I think they have put playstore on a apk blacklist)
Uptodown can't install apks
There is some days ago another manual the suggested using Makrodroid for automations. May Tasker as well.
Also a APK which creates a storage via wifi. So with it you can transfere files from a PC to the echo show and the other way round.
Open Points:
I installed Wolf Launcher aka launcher Manager for FireTV. This launcher request the standard app for Settings.
When someone here is able to create a app which request the standard settings app and will open a selectable app like a launcher or whatever. The settings button can converted to a custom shortcut.
A custom linageOS ROM would be nice but I think
the kernel source for CPU AZ2 (some informations about processor) is not released and there is no way right now to install twrp. Correct me if I am wrong.
Some more blabla:
Echo Show 15 opened: teardown echo show 15
Her is written the hardware price is 309 Dollar. I bought it during blackweek for 199 and if you have a old echo you can make a trade in and you can get 25% discount on top.
Sideloaded apks listed in firetv as grey/black fields so you don't know which app is the correct one.
This could a workaround: Workaround icons
I also bought the usb network adapter to connect the device by LAN and I am thinking about a POE powersupply it.
There are two more guides out there:
Guide 1
Guide 2

Appdownloader became unavailable yesterday morning - if you try to install it the icon doesnt say GET - it just says unavailable. Any other workarounds for adb?

Hi
May the wifi ftp app could work or the other Downloader App but both are not for free or do it like in Guide2

I used the WiFi Transfer app in the store - then you can use the built in File Manager thats on the Show to install the APK's - Since they removed Downloader, this way is the second way to do it - and a little tougher to disable without a firmware update, assuming they remove the built in File Manager to install apps.

Robotica72 said:
I used the WiFi Transfer app in the store - then you can use the built in File Manager thats on the Show to install the APK's - Since they removed Downloader, this way is the second way to do it - and a little tougher to disable without a firmware update, assuming they remove the built in File Manager to install apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, I am really new at this for the Show 15, but I am learning.
The wifi transfer app worked to get my apk on the show 15 and I used Total Commander to move it to the Downloads folder.
When I install it though it doesn't show up, as if it didn't install.
I don't remember what other app I used to try to install it, but at some point I got a message saying that I didn't have permission to install apps from unknown sources.
What am I doing wrong?

You need to use an app that is a trusted installer - the original method worked since Downloader has this, but all the other file managers do not. So, using Total Commander and go to system apps (scroll down a bit on the left side) - Open system apps and then on the right hand side, scroll down to File Manager (it may just say file). Then Click the virtual remote enter button and hold it for a bit, after about 2 seconds the upper right hand corner will show a new icon, it will be the first icon in the 4 icons in the upper right. Using the remote clik the new click and it will open up the File Manager - Install from there

Robotica72 said:
You need to use an app that is a trusted installer - the original method worked since Downloader has this, but all the other file managers do not. So, using Total Commander and go to system apps (scroll down a bit on the left side) - Open system apps and then on the right hand side, scroll down to File Manager (it may just say file). Then Click the virtual remote enter button and hold it for a bit, after about 2 seconds the upper right hand corner will show a new icon, it will be the first icon in the 4 icons in the upper right. Using the remote clik the new click and it will open up the File Manager - Install from there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for working with me on this.
When I open Total Commander there is a list on the left.
The last one is - Installed apps
In that folder there is a File Explorer 1.681A and one that I think I downloaded - File Explorer for Fire Tablets & TV (File Manager App) 1.0
Using my Fire TV remote and holding down the ENTER button a menu pops up:
Launch app(main function)
Copy via bluetooth
Delete
Properties
Copy to clipboard
Sent to
Open with...
What am I doping wrong?

No Problem - this is the part you need - Use TV File Manager - That has the systems app option, its the in the play store...
It will have the system files on the left

Robotica72 said:
No Problem - this is the part you need - Use TV File Manager - That has the systems app option, its the in the play store...
It will have the system files on the left
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With TV File manager I get "For your security your tablet is not allowed to install unknown apps from this source". There is a "settings" that shows up with the message, but when I click that it just goes back to the TV File Manager screen. Ugh
Any other suggestions?

HypnoticGuy said:
With TV File manager I get "For your security your tablet is not allowed to install unknown apps from this source". There is a "settings" that shows up with the message, but when I click that it just goes back to the TV File Manager screen. Ugh
Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh wait. Still trying something.

HypnoticGuy said:
Oh wait. Still trying something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, when I go to "System Apps" in TV File manager, then "Files" it
HypnoticGuy said:
Oh wait. Still trying something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got it!! Thank you soooo much!
You're my hero! This is great!

Excellent - Glad you got it working... I ordered another one since this works, hoping it gets here quickly before Amazon figures this one out and disables it in some update. I think it would require an entire system update to disable since its a system app.

Hi,
I've try to install something since Downloader is KO but.... how what dit you (@HypnoticGuy ) do to install it ?

tried installing the same way but there is a new message "unable to install apps from unknown source".
Is there any way around this? seems like Amazon blocked it all.
need to know before sending it back as it is useless for me if I cannot side load anything on this...

When do you get the error that you cant install apps from an unknown source? I can still sideload apps using the built in, system file manager, but I havent updated since it worked (assuming Amazon did updates)

Amazon updated and removed the built in file manager so you can no longer install APKs by opening them with it. I’m not sure what to do now and may just return mine until this gets sorted out. Wish I could downgrade the OS, but it seems unlikely

adb sideloading may be one idea, but enabling developer options does not show adb debugging menu anymore.

Hello everyone,
I got an Echo Show 15 as a gift for Christmas and then brought it to the software version at the time. So Firetv was on it but I didn't do anything else and since I still haven't tackled the wall mounting with cabling, it hasn't been switched on since then.
My question would be: Is there a way to block it so that I can install the kiosk browser or will it still force the update on me?
I have Pi Hole but have no idea what to set there!
Of course, I don't dare to put the device into operation now either
does anyone know?