How to Fix “Application not Installed” error on your Android Phones

This is a common error you might have encountered on your android device, it is very annoying when you want to install your favorite app or game on your android device and after initiating the installation you end up getting an “application not installed “error like the one on the screenshot below. Today we will discuss all the possible causes and their respective solutions.

Common causes & Possible Solutions:

Problem 1:

Corrupted app or apk file: This is one of the common issues with apps downloaded from somewhere else other than Google Play Store.

Possible Solution:

Ensure the app you download is from the official Google Play Store. You can also recheck the apk files you download and be sure they were completely copied or downloaded.

Problem 2:

Insufficient storage space: Your storage space may have filled up with no more space to accommodate new apps.

Possible Solution:

Free up some space: Uninstall any irrelevant apps and files on your device.

Problem 3:

Incorrect app install location: Some apps are meant to be only installed on phone memory while some others can be installed on both phone memory and SD card. Trying doing otherwise with the former can bring up this error.

Possible Solution:

Change app installation location to Automatic or Let system decide.

Problem 4:

Installation on inaccessible SD card: installing app while your phone is connected to your PC or elsewhere can result in errors because the SD card might be inaccessible.

Possible Solution:

Make sure your SD card is not mounted or connected to a PC or elsewhere.

Problem 5:

App permission errors or temporary OS glitches could also bring about this error.

Possible Solution:

Try resetting app permissions by going to Settings >Apps>All>Menu key >Reset application permissions or Reset app preferences.

Problem 6:

Apk signature/certificate clash: Installing another version of an app (with a different signed certificate) on the same device will probably result in this error. Installing an unsigned app could also result in this error.

Possible Solution:

Get the right apk file for your device.

Problem 7:

Corrupted storage (Phone and SD card): This is probably the most common cause of this error. If the storage of your device is corrupted, any app installation will be impossible.

Possible Solution:

Try changing you SD card if your card is corrupt. In other case scenario, the last solution would be to wipe your device by doing a factory reset either under Settings or by doing a full wipe in recovery mode.

Other Solutions:

• Reboot the phone: In times like this, first thing to do is to reboot your device. Or just shut down, remove and reinsert your battery.
• For worst case scenarios, format your SD card – copy its contents somewhere else for backup and format.
• Delete file .android_secure/smdl2tmpl.asec from SD card. If the folder .android_secure is empty on file manager, delete it from PC (make sure you show hidden files)
• Download Astro File Manager from Play Store. Open it, click on manage my files [up]. Locate the app you are trying to install but could not because of error “application not installed” click on it and install it. It will get installed!

Some possible causes may involve DPI, RAM, or Android version prerequisites. If your system specifications do not meet the requirements of the manifest of that app, you may not be able to install it at all.

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