"You cannot install this app because another user has already installed an incompatible version on this device"

Question

Trying to install my own app from play store, it says "You cannot install this app because another user has already installed an incompatible version on this device"

Note - I've uninstalled the debug version, and also cleared my Cache. Still can't get it to install from Play Store.

My phone is not rooted, so as another similar answer here on stackoverflow suggests, I cannot use a root file explorer to clear data.

That's not Lollipop specific, but rather introduced in later versions of Google Play client. I am on KitKat (4.4.4) and have the same issue. For an explanation why, see DrZaphod's post below. — Levon, Mar 07 '16 at 13:07
Just change your profile to guest or another if you have then uninstall it from all other users. And Voila ! ;) — OMArikan, Jun 03 '16 at 21:21
The message can also be **Update package not compatible, please uninstall and then reinstall. You can install this app in App Store.** and mean the same thing. — Alaa M., Nov 27 '16 at 20:56

score 401 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 03 '15 at 03:01

401

Refer this , Actually your debug version of the app didnt get uninstalled properly

Go to settings > apps > downloaded app list
You can see the installed applications in the list (the application may not be in order. or may be towards the very end)
Click on the application,go to the overflow menu option
Click on uninstall for all users options

edited Apr 03 '15 at 03:01

sivag1

4,734
3
32
35

answered Mar 04 '15 at 11:35

Preethi Rao

5,117
1
16
29

1

This is it. Thank you! Is this Lollipop specific? Also, are the users who are using the previous version of my app going to have this issue? – Mar 04 '15 at 11:37
1

Ha this is lollipop specific ,and other users may not get this issue. cause they will be installing it as update of previous app, – Preethi Rao Mar 04 '15 at 11:38
@stack- its from lollipop, and none of your user will be facing it as this occurs due to different signing key – dudego Mar 04 '15 at 11:38
5

i guess this answer will be upvoted so many times in the future ;) – Milad Faridnia Mar 04 '15 at 11:39
2

Note: it may be last in the list. I had a weird situation where I uninstalled it from all users, but it still showed up at the bottom of the "installed applications" list, with the label "app not installed" (btw, great UX google). Check the bottom if the list if you don't see it in alphabetical order. – scosman Jun 26 '15 at 15:47
Although apps are listed alphabetically, scroll to the last, here you find another alphabetically list of such apps. one reason of this is because you are installing it from adb. – Hitesh Chavda Oct 16 '15 at 05:04
This didn't work in my case!. Go to - settings - apps - all .... search for app then uninstall for all users – EngineSense Dec 02 '16 at 09:37
thanks it really worked, wondering why this problem occured!! – Akash Bisariya Dec 21 '16 at 05:37
This solution has spared me many hours. I literally had 5 different user accounts on my phone I went through and uninstalled the app from. I received the same error even after doing that manually. This solution fixed it! – Pkmmte Feb 17 '17 at 00:31
1

This solution is wokrs, In Android8 You have go Settings->Storage ->Other Apps-> ->press "i" icon -> App Info open -> click right side on action bar -> press "Uninstall for all users" now app is uninstall and install your apk, your app is able to install... Happy Release :) – Vrajesh Apr 25 '18 at 11:09
Was facing this in Pie, after I built my app on my phone from Android studio and then after uninstalling it, was trying to install from Play Store. This worked very well – nitigyan Feb 01 '19 at 13:25
8

This is another solution: Check if your device has "Second Space" like Xiaomi devices. Or check if you have installed dual apps. Unistall this founded aditional app. – JotaPardo Jun 07 '19 at 20:45
1

@JotaPardo Holy hell. Thank you for mentioning this. 2 hours of wasted time was due to this. – Shafiq al-Shaar Aug 14 '20 at 23:23
What if it isn't in the list? – Pete Alvin Apr 14 '21 at 15:05
1

I'm using xiaomi. @JotaPardo your solution helped me. Thanks! – DEV-0 Jun 23 '21 at 18:34

NewestStackOverflowUser · Answer 2 · 2018-02-07T21:40:54.380

159

In my case I wasn't able to see the application in settings > apps > downloaded app list because I have already tried to uninstall it.

What worked for me was: adb shell pm uninstall com.packagename

I think my problem was because somehow I had installed the app on the Primary and Guest user and couldn't uninstall them from neither one.

edited Feb 07 '18 at 21:40

answered May 21 '15 at 22:16

NewestStackOverflowUser

2,792
5
22
31

10

yes, only adb shell pm uninstall com.packagename helped me. And I can't see my application in settings. Thank you! – Kiryl Bielašeŭski Apr 06 '16 at 22:08
2

Thank you very much, just what I need. This worked for me too. – user2499998 Nov 10 '16 at 18:40
2

That command worked for me, I did not see the options explained in the accepted answer – Alejandro Morán Mar 24 '17 at 15:15
I found that the app in question was installed on the guest account so uninstalled there to fix. – Rich Aug 21 '18 at 09:35
In my case, I had installed my application in Work Profile using https://stackoverflow.com/questions/56951666/install-apk-in-work-profile-via-adb-in-android . But the app was not visible in Work Profile. Then I tried to install again in personal profile. Though adb install myapp.apk shows success, application icon is not visible. Finally, this option worked for me. – Pendyala Dec 10 '20 at 04:48
NOTE: this works even if you don't see your package listed with this command: adb shell pm list packages – Pete Alvin Apr 14 '21 at 16:09
This one worked for me on realme norzo 5g.Thank you. – Anuranjan Srivastav Oct 19 '21 at 13:57
This one worked for me on an Android 12 device - I had been testing an app via both USB debugging and Play Store beta. – Chris Vincent Jul 06 '22 at 14:26
In my case the issues is with the 'MS Teams' app, I didn't do any secondary installs, But when i try install it from work profile 'the same error pops in', as to check uninstalled the installation from default/personal profile. Now in both play stores same error, Any thoughts ? – Aravinth Apr 07 '23 at 03:27
it worked for me but how can we prevent this as I face this issue on same application if I try to change package name and install while other applications are working fine. installing APK directly causes this problem, what could be the possible prevention? – Arham Anees May 16 '23 at 06:46

score 39 · Answer 3 · answered Feb 23 '17 at 00:10

39

In Redmi note3, the debug version of app was got installed on second space.
So Settings->Second space->Go to Second space. Uninstall the app.

answered Feb 23 '17 at 00:10

Sagar Lohiya

403
4
5

it should work for everyone that created second space, awesome thanks! – ah_hau Jun 21 '17 at 17:27
I had to delete second space and then it worked. Thanks for the tip. – GrahamD Oct 10 '22 at 13:07

Kunchok Tashi · Answer 4 · 2021-04-15T07:12:35.063

21

If you are reading this than probably you tried everything (ie. uninstall,clean cache,clean second space etc which you can do in phone) and your problem is still not resolved. I faced the same issue and took me a day to figure it out. But I found solution end of the day. Here is what you have to do.

1.Open your app in android studio
2.Click on gradle(on right side corner)
3.go to app->task->install->uninstallAll
4.Click on uninstallAll
5.Boom problem solved!!!

For cross platform app such as flutter

If you are coming from cross platform such as flutter or react native, You will not see gradlemenu. To get that
a) go to Android folder then app .
b) open build.gradle file,
c) click on Open for Editing in Android Studio.
d) you should see gradle.Now you can follow step 3

edited Apr 15 '21 at 07:12

answered Jan 25 '20 at 15:30

Kunchok Tashi

2,413
1
22
30

Thanks man!!! This works for me, I've been looking for a solution since last night! – heychar Apr 07 '20 at 12:58
I don't understand step 2. Where is "gradle?" Is that an icon? – Pete Alvin Apr 14 '21 at 15:49
Pete I assume you are coming from cross platform. I have updated the post. Please check. – Kunchok Tashi Apr 15 '21 at 07:19

score 19 · Answer 5 · edited Sep 21 '18 at 21:30

19

If using from Android Studio 2.3 (and maybe above versions), at last step of Generate Signed APK window, in Signature versions: part, check both check boxes, then click Finish to generate APK.

edited Sep 21 '18 at 21:30

halfer

19,824
17
99
186

answered Mar 12 '17 at 08:47

Sayed Abolfazl Fatemi

3,678
3
36
48

1

Thanks so much!! I kept thinking it was because of something I had done in the manifest – Mr. Supasheva Mar 13 '17 at 14:56

score 14 · Answer 6 · answered Aug 10 '15 at 12:11

14

Tried to check the above solutions but didn't help me.

Finally I followed the below steps to over come on My device( Asus Zenfone 2)

Settings> Users> 1. Owner 2. Guest

Clicked on Guest> Playstore> Uninstall the application(Option came up once you search for that application)

After un-installing went back to Owner(User) from Guest. Was able to install the application successfully.

answered Aug 10 '15 at 12:11

Arunjith S

141
1
2

This solution worked for me. The error message should better specify what it means by 'user'. I thought it was referring to my Play Store user accounts, not my phone user accounts. – andreini Jan 24 '20 at 13:31

score 11 · Answer 7 · edited Feb 13 '21 at 08:14

11

I used a USB cable, then I run this command in Terminal sudo adb uninstall packagename something like com.example.appname.

edited Feb 13 '21 at 08:14

Yunnosch

26,130
9
42
54

answered Feb 12 '21 at 10:01

Bercove

987
10
18

2

So, after running that command did it work? – Sabito stands with Ukraine Feb 12 '21 at 10:03
I removed the no-success story part. The remaining is quite short on explanation and might not be perceived as a helpful answer. Please consider rephrasing it by [edit]ing to add an explanation of how and why this helps. – Yunnosch Feb 13 '21 at 08:16
Yeah that's what I only did and it worked fine. – Bercove Feb 17 '21 at 14:31
1

Life Saver. Nice! – jakeforaker Jun 27 '23 at 20:13

score 10 · Answer 8 · answered Dec 02 '19 at 15:52

10

I have Fixed this issue on xiomi mobiles.

The issue is because your app is already exist in parallel space or (Second Space).

Go to your settings
Find second space and press enter.
Switch to second space mode.
Once you enter. you can see your app there.
Unistall your app and switch back to second space.
Open playstore now you can download app easily.

answered Dec 02 '19 at 15:52

Yasir Ali

155
1
11

1

@ManiruzzamanAkash welcome bro. vote up this answer if you didn't. – Yasir Ali Jul 06 '20 at 08:33

score 8 · Answer 9 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:10

Since lollipop it looks like the app preferences are associated with the signing key. Since the debug version of the app uses a different signing key, you have to completely uninstall the old debug app, including data.

To do this:

Open settings.
Choose app.
Is should default to the downloaded app list in alphabetical order.
You will find the uninstalled applications are not in alphabetical order but actually at the bottom of the list.
Click on the application
Choose 'Clear Data'

Note - most of this information is the same as another answer by Preethi Rao but my edits have been rejected - also I have zero reputation so cannot actually comment.

score 6 · Answer 10 · answered Feb 05 '17 at 07:53

6

This is my solution for my Meizu pro 6.

Settings -> Fingerprint and security -> Guest Mode -> Clear guest data

answered Feb 05 '17 at 07:53

Dennis Yekimov

61
1
2

Vipan · Answer 11 · 2017-10-30T10:17:49.663

6

For Redmi or Mi Phones, the debug app was got installed on second space.

Go To Setting -> Second Space -> Open Second Space.
Settings -> App - > downloaded app list.
Click on the application, You want to Uninstall.
Click on Uninstall.
Back to First space from setting.

android redmi redminote3 app

edited Oct 30 '17 at 10:17

answered Oct 26 '17 at 07:10

Vipan

177
3
11

score 4 · Answer 12 · answered May 05 '19 at 05:39

4

Honor Device Solution

I needed to uninstall it from private space too. You can open private space from

Setting > Security & Privacy > Private Space

Then open private space, and go to setting>apps then delete app from there.

answered May 05 '19 at 05:39

Khemraj Sharma

57,232
27
203
212

score 3 · Answer 13 · answered Oct 09 '17 at 07:26

3

Update to Preethi Rao's Answer.

From Android O this option is available under

Settings > Apps & Notifications > App info

There you can see your uninstalled debuggable app with label Not installed for this user.

You can open it now, and you can see triple vertical dot in top right corner.

In that there is option Uninstall for all users. By taping it you can uninstall the app completely.

answered Oct 09 '17 at 07:26

Gunaseelan

14,415
11
80
128

1

it works. i have android orio API27. MIA1 Stock android os. – Vrajesh Apr 25 '18 at 11:04

score 3 · Answer 14 · answered Aug 15 '18 at 05:58

3

On Samsung Galaxy TAB S2, Android 7.0, after clicking on setting -> Apps and then clicking on the app for which the error was displayed, I clicked on the 3 dots at the top right and there is an option there "uninstall of all users"

answered Aug 15 '18 at 05:58

Yossi

5,577
7
41
76

Vrajesh · Answer 15 · 2018-04-28T10:39:13.783

2

In Android API 25+

Steps (Stock android os) :

Settings-> Storage ->Other Apps-> -> clear cache and data ->press "i" icon -> App Info open -> click right side on action bar -> press "Uninstall for all users"

now app is uninstall and install your apk, your app is able to install...

Happy Release :)

edited Apr 28 '18 at 10:39

answered Apr 25 '18 at 11:22

Vrajesh

1,312
19
25

score 1 · Answer 16 · answered Jun 03 '16 at 21:20

1

Just change your profile to guest or another if you have then uninstall it from all other users.

And Voila ! ;)

answered Jun 03 '16 at 21:20

OMArikan

306
1
3
9

score 1 · Answer 17 · answered Apr 21 '17 at 01:41

1

If you are a developer. Goto adb terminal and do adb uninstall "package name of the app"

answered Apr 21 '17 at 01:41

abat

655
1
9
19

score 1 · Answer 18 · answered Sep 27 '18 at 05:06

I had this issue on a Xiaomi device when i had a debug APK previously installed and try to install the release one from playstore. Even after uninstalling the app, playstore still showed that error, i reeboted cleared cache, but everything got failed. At last i found the solution by going through playstore settings -> my apps and notifications -> library -> where you can see all your installed files directory. Remove your app from that list and try again. Now the error will be gone.

score 1 · Answer 19 · answered Jan 29 '21 at 04:06

1

Some devices has the option to log in as a "guest", try login into that guest account and see if you can locate and delete the problematic app. Typically check on Settings->Users->Multiple users

answered Jan 29 '21 at 04:06

Or Assraf

564
1
4
12

score 0 · Answer 20 · answered Mar 04 '15 at 11:31

0

Likely you have a framework that has to install with your app, and that is what is actually erring. If you use xamarin, phone gap or any other development platform, make sure to go to installed apps and uninstall the framework.

I have seen this very often with Xamarin

answered Mar 04 '15 at 11:31

Tim

2,878
1
14
19

Nope. It's a native Android app. – Mar 04 '15 at 11:32
Any dependencies? Even native could have frameworks to install – Tim Mar 04 '15 at 11:33

score 0 · Answer 21 · answered Oct 27 '15 at 14:15

0

In Android Lollipop there are user, so this message mean that you need to switch the user and uninstall the app from all the users in the device...

See in Settings->Users

answered Oct 27 '15 at 14:15

fanaur

117
1
3

score 0 · Answer 22 · answered Jan 12 '16 at 16:31

0

In my case, I couldn't install the app because I had it installed on a different user on the device. So deleting the app from that user fixed the problem on my end

answered Jan 12 '16 at 16:31

Alex

191
1
10

score 0 · Answer 23 · answered Mar 10 '17 at 15:11

The existing app should be un-installed by going to settings-> Apps->...you may find the message that "this application is not installed for this user". Such apps can not be installed in the current user. If that is the case then, change the user/profile and then try to uninstall the app.

score 0 · Answer 24 · answered Mar 14 '17 at 08:08

For Updated Android Studio 2.3 or upcoming...

Build > Generate Signed apk.
Create Keystore path.
Put Password, alias, key password.
Build type select accordingly(eg to release in playstore use release).
Signature Version select both V1 and V2 checkboxes.
after you click on Finsih.
Wait for gradle building.
After gradle build Android Studio will show you a notification to open the apk location explorer.
Go to explorer where you selected for the apk to store and you will see your .apk file name as app-release.apk use it.

Hope this will solve your issue.

score 0 · Answer 25 · answered Dec 27 '17 at 04:47

If You Know Android Development

Then you can simple uninstall this app by adb.

adb uninstall packagename exa: adb uninstall com.sdcardprefer

Here com.sdcardprefer is packagename.

This adb command remove incompatible version of the app that install in your devices.

score 0 · Answer 26 · edited Feb 12 '21 at 10:03

0

For my case, since I installed "Workspace" from google, the old app was installed inside the workspace. So, I need to go to "Workspace" then uninstall that old app from there first.

edited Feb 12 '21 at 10:03

Sabito stands with Ukraine

4,271
8
34
56

answered Nov 16 '18 at 11:46

elsennov

875
9
14

score 0 · Answer 27 · answered Aug 23 '23 at 13:18

When I go to download the app from the app store after deleting the debug app, I get this alert. I couldnt fix that through my device. So, I connected my device to my laptop and ran this command to find the package name.

adb shell pm list packages

Next, I uninstalled it again with this command

adb shell pm uninstall myAppPackageName

"You cannot install this app because another user has already installed an incompatible version on this device"

27 Answers27

Linked