Installing apk programatically causing parse error

Question

I am trying to install an apk programmatically.

Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
intent.setDataAndType(Uri.fromFile(new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory() + "/AppFolder/" + "app.apk")), "application/vnd.android.package-archive");
startActivity(intent);

This is the code I have used. But when I run the code it prompts to choose package installer and when I select package installer I am getting the error "There was a problem while parsing the package".

This is my MainActivity.

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

private Button btnInstall;
private String path;

@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
    setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);

    if(Build.VERSION.SDK_INT>=24){
        try{
            Method m = StrictMode.class.getMethod("disableDeathOnFileUriExposure");
            m.invoke(null);
        }catch(Exception e){
            e.printStackTrace();
        }
    }

    btnInstall = (Button) findViewById(R.id.btn);
    btnInstall.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
        @Override
        public void onClick(View view) {
            Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
            intent.setDataAndType(Uri.fromFile(new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory()  + "Snapseed.apk")), "application/vnd.android.package-archive");
            intent.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
            startActivity(intent);
        }
    });
}
}

Am trying to install Snapseed app from the SDcard by clicking the button`

Thanks in advance.

Solved : Thank you all.I have found the issue. I was saving the file in my External storage but in the code, I was pointing to internal storage.

Please check that your apk has the minimum sdk version which is greater than the device version (API level) you are trying to install and let me know — Rakesh L, Feb 19 '18 at 08:48
I am able to install the app maually.But when i try programatically am getting the error — Eby Cloudins, Feb 19 '18 at 08:50
Are you sure that you are using the same APK when installing manually. There can be the reason if the App shows "Parse Error" when the file is corrupted. — Rakesh L, Feb 19 '18 at 08:54
Checkout [this SO post](https://stackoverflow.com/a/4604922/6611700) — riyaz-ali, Feb 19 '18 at 08:55

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Feb 19 '18 at 10:51

1

Add Flag in your code. Try this one. It works for me.

 Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
 intent.setDataAndType(Uri.fromFile(new File
 (Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory() + "/download/" + "Xender.apk")),
 "application/vnd.android.package-archive");
 intent.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
 startActivity(intent);

answered Feb 19 '18 at 10:51

Darshini Trivedi

11
2

Check this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjt5ObW_Yxw @EbyCloudins – Darshini Trivedi Feb 19 '18 at 11:45
In this its not installing when tried manually. But for me when i install the apk manually its installing properly but i try to install using the app am getting the error. – Eby Cloudins Feb 19 '18 at 11:50

Shambhu · Answer 2 · 2018-02-19T13:53:24.853

0

I was also getting the same error in my case.

String path = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory().getAbsolutePath() +"/app-debug.apk";

intent.setDataAndType(Uri.fromFile(new File(path)), "application/vnd.android.package-archive");

We've to check the label of existing and the new .apk should be same.

Hope this will help.

Edit

    Intent i = new Intent();
    i.setAction(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
    i.setDataAndType(Uri.fromFile(new File(path)), "application/vnd.android.package-archive" );
    i.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
    i.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_TOP);
    Log.d("Lofting", "About to install new .apk");
    startActivity(i);

The above code is working fine for me, I can install or update my existing app.

edited Feb 19 '18 at 13:53

answered Feb 19 '18 at 09:13

Shambhu

181
6
16

labels are same – Eby Cloudins Feb 19 '18 at 09:19
I think, you should look into the path. try adding `getAbsolutePath()`. Please check, the apk name, the default is `app-debug.apk` or `app-release.apk` for the signed one. Is this `Snapseed.apk` after generating the .apk? – Shambhu Feb 19 '18 at 13:49
i don't think, it need here. I was getting `parsing error` because of name of `apk`. I had changed the app name as `Lavazza.apk` and the app was generated as `app-debug.apk`. Is these same in your case? – Shambhu Feb 20 '18 at 11:52
First i renamed it. But now am using it as app-debug.apk – Eby Cloudins Feb 20 '18 at 11:55
Well, this is the issue. Try uninstalling the previous one. Install the app without changing the name and then use the program of installation. – Shambhu Feb 20 '18 at 12:48
The app is not installed now, i need to install it only using program – Eby Cloudins Feb 21 '18 at 04:17
now am using the app-debug apk. I have not renamed it – Eby Cloudins Feb 21 '18 at 04:18
Even then it's getting the name `Snapseed.apk`, I believe. First time try installing manually with the label `app-debug.apk`. And then the program will work. – Shambhu Feb 21 '18 at 05:40
I am able to install it maually. But not using program – Eby Cloudins Feb 21 '18 at 06:17
Have you tried manually after changing the name from `Snapseed` to `app-debug` ? – Shambhu Feb 21 '18 at 06:19
Let us [continue this discussion in chat](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/rooms/165535/discussion-between-eby-cloudins-and-shambhu). – Eby Cloudins Feb 21 '18 at 06:21

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Feb 19 '18 at 09:33

Try this one,

add permission on Manifest file

  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INSTALL_PACKAGES" />

and try this code for installing apk

Intent newIntent = new Intent();
newIntent.putExtra(PackageUtil.INTENT_ATTR_APPLICATION_INFO, 
mPkgInfo.applicationInfo);
newIntent.setData(mPackageURI);
newIntent.setClass(this, InstallAppProgress.class);
String installerPackageName = 
getIntent().getStringExtra(Intent.EXTRA_INSTALLER_PACKAGE_NAME);
if (installerPackageName != null) {
    newIntent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_INSTALLER_PACKAGE_NAME, 
    installerPackageName);
}
startActivity(newIntent);

this permission can be granted to only system apps – Eby Cloudins Feb 19 '18 at 09:41 — Eby Cloudins, Feb 19 '18 at 09:41

Installing apk programatically causing parse error

3 Answers3