When we download an application from Google Play Store, it downloads and then magically installs on the Android device.
But supposing we do a Factory Reset, or that we upload a new firmware or simply suppose we have another Android device at home and we would like the same application to be installed there too.
Is it possible to somehow maintain the installation files and be able to copy these files off the Android device and then use them on another device?
Yes. An app comes as an 'apk' installer file that can be transferred to another device and installed or re-installed on the same device. But to get the apks of apps installed via Playstore, you will need an app like "App Backup and Restore".
P.S. Sharing apks of paid apps is illegal and not recommended. :good:
immortalneo said:
Yes. An app comes as an 'apk' installer file that can be transferred to another device and installed or re-installed on the same device. But to get the apks of apps installed via Playstore, you will need an app like "App Backup and Restore".
P.S. Sharing apks of paid apps is illegal and not recommended. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have this "App Backup" but I am trying to understand the mechanism a bit more.
The apk file is not the end of the story. Try the game "Yesterday". It is a 1GB download, however the .apk is only a few MBs and the rest is the actual game. However this 1GB file comes straight from the app store, so there is a mechanism that App Backup does not cover.
I managed to restore this game by saving the data myself, but every application is different.
Related
i somehow lost all my app links in the market, i have about 130 apps installed and would like to have the possibility again to update them.
is there any way to get my app links back in the market?
Titanium Backup
already tried Titanum Backup but it says that there are no recoverable links or something like that....
any other methods other than reinstalling all the apps?
Lol, if you don't want to reïnstall all the apps, how would youvlike it?
Only way is backing up your app + data to restore with links
i have them all backed up with titanium but reinstalling them with TB doesnt fix the market problem...
In titanium delete the data for the market and install one app on the market and uninstall it
well i had to reinstall all the apps for them to be visible again... i hope that doesnt happen again.
now i have an other problem, whenever i move a app to the SD card it also disappears from the market.
any way to display them if they are on the SD card?
I´m with the same problem. After installing CM7 last build I receive the new Android Market (2.2.11) and all my downloaded links gone from the market.
When I look for an already installed application its appear as not installed and then I have to download and install it again to its appear in market downloaded list.
Any way to fix that?
flitzjoy said:
I´m with the same problem. After installing CM7 last build I receive the new Android Market (2.2.11) and all my downloaded links gone from the market.
When I look for an already installed application its appear as not installed and then I have to download and install it again to its appear in market downloaded list.
Any way to fix that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i could not find a other solution, in titanium backup/restore you can long hold on the apps and then go directly to the market to download them, that made it a bit less painful to install them again
grognaz said:
i could not find a other solution, in titanium backup/restore you can long hold on the apps and then go directly to the market to download them, that made it a bit less painful to install them again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I find another similar stupied solution: QuikMarketLinks, this app will list all your installed applications and link to their market page. I downloaded again 60 programs.
If you install AppBrain application you'll be able to reinstall all your applications in one shot (provided that you had already synchronized your phone with the site) as the list is saved on the site. I'm not sure it will reinstall your market links yet but this isn't a big problem as AppBrain - like the official market - shows when there are updates .
I've also noticed that the applications that I've got on my SD card are displayed as non-installed in the market whereas they are displayed as installed in AppBrain app.
The bonus of the application is that you can browse the Appbrain site on your PC, select the applications that you want to install and when you synchronize your phone it will install these applications.
Really a great app!
You might want to try this as it worked for me.
I installed several apps manually by running the apk and selecting install. These apps didnt appear in market as installed, and presumably werent being checked for updates.
I went into settings->Applications->Manage Applications->All->Market->Force Stop & Clear Data
Launched Market again and after re-accepting the terms, all the apps that I had manually installed now appear in my list of installed apps.
verbalinsurection said:
Titanium Backup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
zimma said:
You might want to try this as it worked for me.
I installed several apps manually by running the apk and selecting install. These apps didnt appear in market as installed, and presumably werent being checked for updates.
I went into settings->Applications->Manage Applications->All->Market->Force Stop & Clear Data
Launched Market again and after re-accepting the terms, all the apps that I had manually installed now appear in my list of installed apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1+ worked for me thanks
I have tried this out - worked for me in under 10 seconds on HD2 running CoreDroid. I had over 65 'misssing' apps
https://market.android.com/details?id=net.andirc.erismarketfix
well i tried the market fix and it did nothing...
also as soon as i move a app 2 SD i no longer have it in the market:/
someone has his apps on the SD and is still able to see them in the market?
zimma said:
You might want to try this as it worked for me.
I installed several apps manually by running the apk and selecting install. These apps didnt appear in market as installed, and presumably werent being checked for updates.
I went into settings->Applications->Manage Applications->All->Market->Force Stop & Clear Data
Launched Market again and after re-accepting the terms, all the apps that I had manually installed now appear in my list of installed apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was fast and easy!
zimma said:
You might want to try this as it worked for me.
I installed several apps manually by running the apk and selecting install. These apps didnt appear in market as installed, and presumably werent being checked for updates.
I went into settings->Applications->Manage Applications->All->Market->Force Stop & Clear Data
Launched Market again and after re-accepting the terms, all the apps that I had manually installed now appear in my list of installed apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ditto! thanks a lot mate!
I am trying to install an App which for some reason will not install in the country I am visiting. The App is a free App, but Google Play has blocked it from downloading into this country. I managed to download the app from the evozi apk-downloader but when I click on it in File Manager it will not install and I get an "App will not install." error.
I would like to try and install the app manually but despite all my searching have not been able to come up with a way to do this. I tried copying the apk file to the system/app directory and rebooted, but that did not work. I then downloaded ZipSigner to sign the apk file and put the created opex file in the system/app folder and rebooted again, but still no results. I've tried some other installers but still unable to get it to install, even when I am offline with my GPS off.
How can I manually install an app to bypass the Google app installer?
charliep8 said:
I am trying to install an App which for some reason will not install in the country I am visiting. The App is a free App, but Google Play has blocked it from downloading into this country. I managed to download the app from the evozi apk-downloader but when I click on it in File Manager it will not install and I get an "App will not install." error.
I would like to try and install the app manually but despite all my searching have not been able to come up with a way to do this. I tried copying the apk file to the system/app directory and rebooted, but that did not work. I then downloaded ZipSigner to sign the apk file and put the created opex file in the system/app folder and rebooted again, but still no results. I've tried some other installers but still unable to get it to install, even when I am offline with my GPS off.
How can I manually install an app to bypass the Google app installer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you enabled allow installation of apps from sources other than Play store if not go settings> Security> tick unkown sources and try it again it will surely help..and use the file browser from the phone and find the apk that you want to install n click on it and install
hit thanks button if helped
The app I want to install is FlightAware - I travel a lot, hence my desire to install this app before I return to the USA. I found that the ShopSavvy apk also has this problem. Both of these are freeware but somehow they won't install on my phone. My Google account was created in the USA with a USA address and has a USA credit card attached to Google Wallet, but with both apps I just get a "App not installed." error.
I already have the Unknown Sources - Allow installation of Apps from unknown sources Checked and the Verify Apps - Disallow or warn before installation of apps that may cause harm - Unchecked.
hmm then you sure those apks work correctly sometimes errors occur when its incorrectly or incompletely tampered.. or else try this go to settings> application manager>google play store and clear data and clear cache and do the same in google play services and try again
hit thanks button if helped
No, that did not work. I am really looking for a more technical solution to explain how to manually install an opp. Is this not possible in Android?
charliep8 said:
I am trying to install an App . . .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am assuming your phone is rooted. If not, then it will be better to root it before going further.
Here is a link you can try:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2231949
The ADB SDK is available here:
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
App not installed fix:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJTDwrp-gkQ
Video shows him choosing sim unlock, what does that have to do with apk not installed?
AngelFRANTIX said:
App not installed fix:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJTDwrp-gkQ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint gs5, CM-root, TWRP, SDfix...
I have an app which I do not want updates to...
The developer is making changes to the app to fix issues with other brands/models...
The current version works well on mine and I don't want it to update to a version which might break it for my brand/model...
In the playstore I disabled auto-update, but it still shows up in the manual and group update list...
I went into titanium (pro) and detached it from the market and it showed 'attach to market (forced)'
I checked playstore and it is off my app list...
Several minutes later it re-appeared in playstore and titanium went back to 'detach from market'
So the detach function is not sticking...
Any Ideas?
KaptainRandom said:
Sprint gs5, CM-root, TWRP, SDfix...
I have an app which I do not want updates to...
The developer is making changes to the app to fix issues with other brands/models...
The current version works well on mine and I don't want it to update to a version which might break it for my brand/model...
In the playstore I disabled auto-update, but it still shows up in the manual and group update list...
I went into titanium (pro) and detached it from the market and it showed 'attach to market (forced)'
I checked playstore and it is off my app list...
Several minutes later it re-appeared in playstore and titanium went back to 'detach from market'
So the detach function is not sticking...
Any Ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its been an issue with Titaniium before and appears as it does on your device. Try this:
1) get the Apk you wanna detach (ex using TitaniumBackup) into location you can easily get to (ex. SD card)
2) install ZipSigner from play store
3) re-sign the extracted Apk using ZipSigner and test key
4) uninstall the original app and install the re-signed Apk you made
5) profit
Hi, I realise this is an old post but it's something I've been trying to do for a while too. I've finally accomplished it successfully so I thought I'd share it on in some of the topics.
It works by changing the apk signature so the app typically becomes 'different' to the one on the Google Play Store and therefore doesn't appear in your Google Play Store list. But by doing this, you won't be able to update the app from Play Store.
How to:
Need Root.
First do a TB backup of current apk just to keep it.
With a file explorer, go to root\data\app and copy the app apk that you want to change and paste it somewhere on SD card.
Now uninstall the app
Download and install: ZipSigner by Ken Ellinwood from Play Store.
Open ZipSigner, choose input file and navigate to earlier copied apk
I used key/mode: auto-testkey
Sign the file
The new signed apk will be put in the same directory the original file was.
Now install that signed apk and your're done. Check market.
Worked for me - hope it works for you!
HTC One
RevelationOmega said:
Its been an issue with Titaniium before and appears as it does on your device. Try this:
1) get the Apk you wanna detach (ex using TitaniumBackup) into location you can easily get to (ex. SD card)
2) install ZipSigner from play store
3) re-sign the extracted Apk using ZipSigner and test key
4) uninstall the original app and install the re-signed Apk you made
5) profit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazing, Thanks for this.
So, this is my first time rooting a phone, and once I managed to get it to work, I started playing around to see what capabilities I had now.
In doing this, I uninstalled the play store. I've tried multiple methods to reinstall it, but none have worked so far.
I've tried installing a new play store apk and used systemize to turn it into a system app, but that didn't work (the app crashed on launch)
I've also tried using link2sd but the app wouldn't let me convert to system app.
If anyone else has any tips for me I'd be grateful.
Using a samsung running android 11 - rooted with magisk, recovery method.
Copy it from another device using ApkExport then transfer the installable copy over to the victim device and install.
I haven't tried it with Playstore but it works on other apks even if the donor device is on a different Android OS version.
blackhawk said:
Copy it from another device using ApkExport then transfer the installable copy over to the victim device and install.
I haven't tried it with Playstore but it works on other apks even if the donor device is on a different Android OS version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sadly the only other device i have is a samsung galaxy S2 that is barely functional. I doubt that'll work.
Before you do anything I'd make sure you have a good backup of your device. Copy text messages, contacts, photos, etc all to external storage.
My first thought was just download install APK, but I see you've done that.
Someone else may have a better suggestion, but, if nothing else works, I'd try installing pico GApps to restore Playstore functionality.
https://opengapps.org/
Pico PackageThis package is designed for users who want the absolute minimum GApps installation available. In this package you will find the core Google System Base, Google Android Shared Library, Google Play Store, Google Calendar Sync, Dialer Framework and the following Play Store applications:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FreSchDude said:
sadly the only other device i have is a samsung galaxy S2 that is barely functional. I doubt that'll work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try it. It will copied system apks and updates.
I copied apks from a S4 running on Kitkat to my Note 10+. If it loads Playstore will need to update, that may be a problem... or not.
APK Export (Backup & Share) - Apps on Google Play
Manage and extract your apps.
play.google.com
blackhawk said:
Try it. It will copied system apks and updates.
I copied apks from a S4 running on Kitkat to my Note 10+. If it loads Playstore will need to update, that may be a problem... or not.
APK Export (Backup & Share) - Apps on Google Play
Manage and extract your apps.
play.google.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No dice. App crashes on launch.
SMcC2 said:
Before you do anything I'd make sure you have a good backup of your device. Copy text messages, contacts, photos, etc all to external storage.
My first thought was just download install APK, but I see you've done that.
Someone else may have a better suggestion, but, if nothing else works, I'd try installing pico GApps to restore Playstore functionality.
https://opengapps.org/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ill give it a shot, thanks
FreSchDude said:
So, this is my first time rooting a phone, and once I managed to get it to work, I started playing around to see what capabilities I had now.
In doing this, I uninstalled the play store. I've tried multiple methods to reinstall it, but none have worked so far.
I've tried installing a new play store apk and used systemize to turn it into a system app, but that didn't work (the app crashed on launch)
I've also tried using link2sd but the app wouldn't let me convert to system app.
If anyone else has any tips for me I'd be grateful.
Using a samsung running android 11 - rooted with magisk, recovery method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Play Store app by type is a normal 3rd-party app. Wondering why you want to convert it to a system app?
jwoegerbauer said:
Google Play Store app by type is a normal 3rd-party app. Wondering why you want to convert it to a system app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's originally a system app. trying to get mine fixed because no matter what I do the app crashes on launch.
FreSchDude said:
it's originally a system app. trying to get mine fixed because no matter what I do the app crashes on launch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it's a system app on my Note 10+, can't be uninstalled*.
Normally it doesn't crash although it's common for it to not connect to Playstore. It does that if Google play Services is disable but even then it doesn't crash.
* I think, it has a disable option but to find out if there's an uninstall I would need to revert to the factory load first... which isn't something I want. It appears to be as I originally stated.
blackhawk said:
Yeah it's a system app on my Note 10+, can't be uninstalled*.
Normally it doesn't crash although it's common for it to not connect to Playstore. It does that if Google play Services is disable but even then it doesn't crash.
* I think, it has a disable option but to find out if there's an uninstall I would need to revert to the factory load first... which isn't something I want. It appears to be as I originally stated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is no uninstall option. I uninstalled it through other means as my phone is rooted. Now I'm having issues re-installing it and getting it to work.
My last 2 cents here:
Per definition only apps that are needed by Android OS to work are called system apps and are stored in /system/apps. Other apps - called 3rd-party apps like Google Play Store - may be stored in /system/priv-apps.
BTW:
If you manually install Google Play Store APK then it installs to /data/app directory - as expected.
i installed an apk app mod on my Samsung galaxy note 10+. the apk is an older version of the app but when i went to uninstall the app as usual to install the latest release off google play instead of downloading and installing it just installed the previous apk installed from google which i havent seen before. i have tried clearing the data and using app cleaners such as sd maid but its still installing the unofficial version. i also tried to install a newer version of the app from an apk off google and it wont install at all. i believe that after uninstalling the app that some of the files have not been deleted and google recognises these as the correct app files. using sd maid i traced to this path:
/data/app/~~HQ5E7AhU5J2CuBMCGbfjTg==/com.snapchat.android-PWYp8D9k00ttRuj98fIkTA==
im pretty sure this is what needs deleting to get google to download the official version but due to samsungs security rules i cant delete it. i dont want to root or factory reset my phone
any help is much appreciated
That's Snap Chat, is that installed or was it part of the Google app?
Try clearing the system cache from the boot menu.
System apps and systen privileged apps including their daa can only get deleted by ROOT, only deleting their related data can get achieved by a FR.