Database Info

Tutorial - how to remove bloat-ware and unwanted apps from your mate 9 WITHOUT ROOT

very interesting to know is a way to remove any bloat-ware or any unwanted app from your phone without root privilege.
This tutorial should work on other phones too.
here is my tutorial:
1.) you need linux or windows system on your pc with installed (mini) adb for it!!
2.) you need to have the "developer" menu enabled on your phone
( the way to get this is described many times- please search for it if unknown! )
3.) connect your phone to pc and open a command line interface
4.) enter following command without quotes : adb devices
If everything goes alright, you should see a response like this:
List of devices attached
* daemon not running. starting it now on port 5037 *
* daemon started successfully *
AHK02574823233 unauthorized
5.) enter following command without quotes : adb shell
the prompt should change to:
HWMHA:/
6.) now you can enter the command to delete the unused software packages:
pm uninstall -k --user 0 <package name>
Examples:
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.photos removes Photo app
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.huawei.hidisk removes Huawei file manager
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.huawei.android.totemweather removes Huawei weather widget and service
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.huawei.android.totemweatherwidget removes Huawei weather widget and service
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.huawei.android.totemweatherapp removes Huawei weather widget and service
Tip: you can find the package name of all apps you want to delete with this app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.majeur.applicationsinfo
BE CAREFULL!!! All you will do, is done at your own risk!!!!
the selected apps are only removed (for user 0 only - not from your phone!) until the next factory reset!!!
so if something goes wrong, you have to factory reset your phone to get back all deleted apps! (see Edit!!!)
After a factory reset, all deleted apps are back again!
As i know, OTA updates are possible after deleting some apps because the BB is not open and the recovery was not changed!
(personally checked!)
btw: i have tested this tutorial by myself and it works without problems! (smartkey and fb are no longer available now.:laugh
Edit:
How to rebuild removed system apps:
if you have removed a app, you can do the following steps to get back without a factory reset!
1.) install "SDMaid" app
2.) go to sdmaid app -> "app control" and list all apps which are installed on your phone
3.) go to sdmaid menu (right upper corner) and select "system" to list only to the system installed apps
4.) you will see, that all "deleted apps" are present as before but without there icons!
remember, you had removed it only for user 0!!!
5.) select the app, you want to restore and press sdmaid "app export" for it!
the app should no be exported to internal sd7download folder.
6.) you can no go to the download folder and reinstall the app back to user 0 accessibility!
Hope you will understand my bad translation! If yes, you should know now the way to rebuild removed system apps!

Now, we only need a list of apps that can be safely remove

saironjay said:
Now, we only need a list of apps that can be safely remove
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you don’t know which apps are not needed , this thread is not for you!
i have removed on my phone:
Swiftkey; SwiftKeyFactorySettings; Chrome; Easteregg; Duo; Music; Photos; Exchange; Tag; Google Books; Google Drive; Huawei Drive;
Totem Weather app; Live Wallpaper Pickers; Youtube; FB; FB Installer; Partner Bockmark Provider; Google Contact and Calender sync;
Watch Sync; and some others.
But this decision depends to my personal requirement!!!!
BTW:,
If this tutorial was helpful to you, feel free to press the thanks button for it!

i have seen, that all apps are still invisible resident in system after "deleting" them. I saw it in SDMAID app.
All deleted apps are listed without a icon. After taping "info" for this apps, i get a information screen, that this apps are not installed for user 0. So everything seems to be alright!

Awesome, thanks!

Saw this a while back for P10: https://forum.xda-developers.com/p10/how-to/guide-remove-apps-bloat-adb-root-t3625227
A debloat safe list? Maybe this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/honor-6x/how-to/guide-list-bloat-software-emui-safe-to-t3700814

Anyone know how to get rid of the flashlight app found in the drawer? I've never had a flashlight app icon and want it gone

Rep7ile said:
Anyone know how to get rid of the flashlight app found in the drawer? I've never had a flashlight app icon and want it gone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you remove this app, you will have a unusable Torch icon gadget on your lock screen for it!
BTW: as i know, on our Mate 9 the torch functionality is a part of the system ui (com.android.systemui).
If you remove the system ui, you properly should get more problems as you like to get.
And this app isn’t removable from system! It is only removable from your access.
I suggest to stay with it.

How to rebuild removed system apps:
if you have removed a app, you can do the following steps to get back without a factory reset!
1.) install "SDMaid" app
2.) go to sdmaid app -> "app control" and list all apps which are installed on your phone
3.) go to sdmaid menu (right upper corner) and select "system" to list only to the system installed apps
4.) you will see, that all "deleted apps" are present as before but without there icons!
remember, you had removed it only for user 0!!!
5.) select the app, you want to restore and press sdmaid "app export" for it!
the app should no be exported to internal sd7download folder.
6.) you can no go to the download folder and reinstall the app back to user 0 accessibility!
Hope you will understand my bad translation! If yes, you should know now the way to rebuild removed system apps!

Icetea said:
How to rebuild removed system apps:
if you have removed a app, you can do the following steps to get back without a factory reset!
1.) install "SDMaid" app
2.) go to sdmaid app -> "app control" and list all apps which are installed on your phone
3.) go to sdmaid menu (right upper corner) and select "system" to list only to the system installed apps
4.) you will see, that all "deleted apps" are present as before but without there icons!
remember, you had removed it only for user 0!!!
5.) select the app, you want to restore and press sdmaid "app export" for it!
the app should no be exported to internal sd7download folder.
6.) you can no go to the download folder and reinstall the app back to user 0 accessibility!
Hope you will understand my bad translation! If yes, you should know now the way to rebuild removed system apps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find that I cannot install the APK after exporting from SDMaid. Any other settings that we need to do? Please help...

Great, thanks. it worked fine for my P20 pro too.

gbjack said:
I find that I cannot install the APK after exporting from SDMaid. Any other settings that we need to do? Please help...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you enabled the setting to install apps from unknown sources?

DM.IDOL said:
Have you enabled the setting to install apps from unknown sources?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ran into the same issue with my Mate 10 Pro. Unknown sources is on, but it keeps saying app not installed. I tried it again on my Honor 8 just to check and it's the same thing. However, it also tells me the package appears to be corrupt. This is for the com.android.providers.calendar system app. My guess is the app is already installed but hidden from us (user 0). I'll report back if I find a fix.

Icetea said:
very interesting to know is a way to remove any bloat-ware or any unwanted app from your phone without root privilege.....
.......
Hope you will understand my bad translation! If yes, you should know now the way to rebuild removed system apps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for this.tutorial! I could use it on my Mate 20 X! ?

Safe debloat with XiaomiADBFastbootTools

For a better battery life, it's a useful Java app for Uninstall/Reinstall, Deactivate/Activate apps and services for every Miui Rom, tested on Miui 12.
Without root works only Debug Usb via Developer options and Fastboot.
For Mac, Linux and Windows
Modules:
App Manager - Uninstall/reinstall/disable/enable system apps and services on demand
Camera2 - Enable Camera2 and EIS (TWRP required)
File Explorer - Transfer files between a device and a computer using ADB
Screen density - Tweak screen density by overriding the DPI value
Screen resolution - Tweak screen resolution by overriding the width and height values
Device properties - Retrieve tons of statistics and information about your device
Flasher - Flash any partition with an image, boot to any image or flash a Fastboot ROM (unlocked bootloader required)
Wiper - Wipe the cache or perform a factory reset
OEM Unlocker & Locker - Lock or unlock the bootloader (Unlocking is only supported by Android One devices)
ROM Downloader - Get links to the latest MIUI Fastboot ROMs or download them right away
Rebooter - Advanced rebooting options using ADB/Fastboot
https://github.com/Szaki/XiaomiADBFastbootTools
Safe debloat list
Analytics
Android accessibility suite
app vault
browser
calendar
compass
Catchlog
digital wellbeing
downloads
fm radio
facebook
feedback
freeform
games
gmail
google app
google duo
google lens
joyose
msa
market feedback agent
mi credit
mi drop
mi pay
mi video
mi wallpaper
miui daemon
music
notes
PAI
Partner bookmarks
partner netflix activation
quick apps
quick ball
recorder
scanner
translation service
weather
WMService
yellow pages

Thx for this usefull app. I have debloat everything that I don't need.

i want to remove more some apps, how to add them to the list of the tool?
thanks

k1n9n0th1n9 said:
i want to remove more some apps, how to add them to the list of the tool?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to menu app manager and add apps, then you can load a file or just add the name of the package in the list. Save and your apps will appear in list

I really thank you too!
Despite MIUIMIX, there is a lot of bloatware left on the device.

Thank You for list Safe debloat list What more can we uninstall ?? Especially what applications from Google, so that the system remains stable

k1n9n0th1n9 said:
i want to remove more some apps, how to add them to the list of the tool?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use adb, you can delete all apps without root.
1. adb shell
2. pm list packages
3. pm uninstall -k --user 0 <name of package>

just a question, there is any difference using disable instead of uninstall??
thanks

yes, deactivate, the application remains installed in but not functional, no activity in RAM.

Quick question guys! I have successfully uninstalled or disabled most of the apps that were annoying me in my Mi 10T. I also tried adding the default Camera app to the ones I wanted to uninstall through the "App Manager -> Add Apps" menu and it returned a warning that I might end up bricking my device. I didn't go through with it and would like to know if someone has done it without facing any problems. Should I go on with it?? I am used to using Gcam and it bumps me that I get to have a set of unwanted apps (Camera - Gallery)!!

great tool.
i just want to a add a few comments:
1. i would add a select all - deselect all in the different categories. uninstaller for example.
2. in the uninstaller you're missing quite a few apps - contacts, phone, gallery, themes,(all of xiaomi ) google news and maybe also sim toolkit and security (dunno if security is essential).
3. debloating poco launcher without ensuring you have an alternative can be a bit of a problem, so maybe a hint.
thanks for all!

ironia. said:
just a question, there is any difference using disable instead of uninstall??
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just uninstall it. If something wrong, you can execute Factory reset, theses app will comeback

1994bluemoon said:
Just uninstall it. If something wrong, you can execute Factory reset, theses app will comeback
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is possible without flash again the rom?
When uninstall the app that is gone, and a factory reset should just cancel all user data and apps.

.

Hi everyone, please tell me how to run the program.
I have jdk 16 installed on my pc

Wataf said:
Hi everyone, please tell me how to run the program.
I have jdk 16 installed on my pc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the application says that it cannot find ADB/Fastboot even though you have downloaded the OS-specific ZIP, open a terminal inside the extracted folder and enter
java -jar XiaomiADBFastbootTools.jar

Waw Thank you. Im using it now

still working miui 12.5 a11 sir?

The latest released version was more than a year ago, 31st Aug 2020 TBP, why there is no updated version of this useful tool? Pls make an updated version as some app is not being uninstalled in MiUi 12.5+

Tool works with A11 and miui12.5.

Bloatwares

Hi Everyone!
I was searching about the removal of Bloatware and found this:
https://gadgetstouse.com/blog/2019/...oatware-from-realme-smartphones-without-root/
It teach us how to remove Bloatwares with this steps:
1 - You need to enable developer options by going to Settings > About phone > tap on Build number 7 times.
2 - Now, go to the developer and enable the USB Debugging option.
3 - Connect your phone to your PC via USB cable and open an elevated(Run as Administrator) command window.
4 - Enter the command “adb shell” and press Enter.
Now, enter the commands from the list below to remove the respective app.
pm uninstall –k ––user 0 Name Of The App
And, i made a list of apps that I THINK it could be removed (no technical knowledge at all!).
Does anyone removed those apps or know that is too risky to do so?
The list is:
com.Heytap.yoli
com.Colorist.oppopods
Coloros.oppopods
com.Coloros.personalassistant
com.Coloros.digitalwelbeing
com.Coloros.weather2
com.Coloros.weather.weatherapplication
com.Coloros.familyguard
com.Heytap.reader
com.Colorist.onekeylockscreen
com.Coloros.onekeylockscreen
com.Coloros.backuprestore
com.Oppo.ctaautoregist
com.Heytap.pictorial
com.Android.providers.calendar
com.Heytap.cloud
com.Finshell.wallet
com.Sohu.inputmethod.sogouoem
com.Coloros.healthcheck
com.Iflytek.speechsuite
com.Coloros.athena
com.heytap.market
com.Heytap.usercenter
com.Coloros.oshare
com.Coloros.bootreg
com.Coloros.assistantscreen
com.Coloros.activation
com.Coloros.remoteguardservice
com.Coloros.operationmanual
com.Heytap.themestore
com.Coloros.ocrscanner
com.Heytap.quickserachbox
com.Nearme.atlas
com.Coloros.directui
com.Coloros.browser
com.Realme.findphone.client2
com.Coloros.findmyphone
com.Coloros.smartdrive
com.Coloros.speechassist
com.Coloros.codebook
com.Coloros.widget.smallweather
com.Coloros.feedback
com.Coloros.calendar
com.Coloros.alarmclock
com.Coloros.securepay
com.Coloros.sauhelper
com.Oppo.logkit
com.Heytap.speechassist.engine
com.Coloros.video

Macjars said:
Hi Everyone!
I was searching about the removal of Bloatware and found this:
https://gadgetstouse.com/blog/2019/...oatware-from-realme-smartphones-without-root/
It teach us how to remove Bloatwares with this steps:
1 - You need to enable developer options by going to Settings > About phone > tap on Build number 7 times.
2 - Now, go to the developer and enable the USB Debugging option.
3 - Connect your phone to your PC via USB cable and open an elevated(Run as Administrator) command window.
4 - Enter the command “adb shell” and press Enter.
Now, enter the commands from the list below to remove the respective app.
pm uninstall –k ––user 0 Name Of The App
And, i made a list of apps that I THINK it could be removed (no technical knowledge at all!).
Does anyone removed those apps or know that is too risky to do so?
The list is:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I've done this on the chinese ROM, can't remember exactly what i did remove (it wasn't exactly that list), I used an app called 'Package Names' from the Play Store to help identify which ones I wanted to remove.
It is a bit risky so I targeted the Breeno voice stuff and apps that I knew wouldn't be system critical, has been a success.
Google assistant now working. Also google feed now comes up instead of the breeno feed thing.
Nearly feels like a european ROM, my only remaining niggle is how to get location tracking turned back on for google maps timeline.

htcherouk said:
Yeah I've done this on the chinese ROM, can't remember exactly what i did remove (it wasn't exactly that list), I used an app called 'Package Names' from the Play Store to help identify which ones I wanted to remove.
It is a bit risky so I targeted the Breeno voice stuff and apps that I knew wouldn't be system critical, has been a success.
Google assistant now working. Also google feed now comes up instead of the breeno feed thing.
Nearly feels like a european ROM, my only remaining niggle is how to get location tracking turned back on for google maps timeline.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey,u deleted also app market,theme store and instant router? Or cant?i exactly do the same and cant uninstall these three.i can delete the other and going well.i typed pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.heytap.market and enter.it showed like cant delete internal error or smt.This happened to u also?

hi guys, I wanted to debloat but i couldnt download deep testing apk file to unlock the bootloader of my RMX2071 from baidu website. can anyone please lodge it somewhere out of pan.baidu.com please! I appreciate your help !

Myopaingthu said:
Hey,u deleted also app market,theme store and instant router? Or cant?i exactly do the same and cant uninstall these three.i can delete the other and going well.i typed pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.heytap.market and enter.it showed like cant delete internal error or smt.This happened to u also?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem on RMX2071, anyone could uninstall market app? thanks in advance

santoshee said:
hi guys, I wanted to debloat but i couldnt download deep testing apk file to unlock the bootloader of my RMX2071 from baidu website. can anyone please lodge it somewhere out of pan.baidu.com please! I appreciate your help !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here, I have a bookmark for it on somebody's Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18SuOKen-pSi8Qlhpkw8umrjS2qneFrWj/view?usp=sharing

Dohvakiin said:
Here, I have a bookmark for it on somebody's Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18SuOKen-pSi8Qlhpkw8umrjS2qneFrWj/view?usp=sharing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot mate !!

htcherouk said:
Yeah I've done this on the chinese ROM, can't remember exactly what i did remove (it wasn't exactly that list), I used an app called 'Package Names' from the Play Store to help identify which ones I wanted to remove.
It is a bit risky so I targeted the Breeno voice stuff and apps that I knew wouldn't be system critical, has been a success.
Google assistant now working. Also google feed now comes up instead of the breeno feed thing.
Nearly feels like a european ROM, my only remaining niggle is how to get location tracking turned back on for google maps timeline.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes same here as well. DId you manage to get the google feed to display English instead of straight Chinese characters as well?
As a bit of information, IDK if you've played around with defaults aswell:
I have been trying to get past the default app limits arbitrarily placed in the OS. I followed similar instructions to above to get a working SMS app other than the stock Messages. For me personally, I enjoy using Textra.
First I backed up the stock messages app and then removed it via the method above. Then I reinstalled it. Next I deleted Textra and then reinstalled it as well. I set Textra to default in the Textra app itself. Finally I removed Messages. I can message in Textra, but every time I receive a message the entire system has a hint box that appears that suggests to change preferences. It is important to note that the OS does not recognize Textra as the default, but it functions as one since the default is removed temporarily.

insanedoc said:
I have the same problem on RMX2071, anyone could uninstall market app? thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I can't uninstall market app too. This app is really annoying because its always updating.
Please someone help us.

insanedoc said:
I have the same problem on RMX2071, anyone could uninstall market app? thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think this is a sytem app,
So as to remove it ,you need root previlage ,
AS the twrp for realmex50pro is not availabe,you need to do this,
extract your bl of your current rom,
install magisk ,use magisk to patch the bl
boot to fastboot mode,flash the magisk patched bl,
boot to system,and complete the magisk install,
In magisk,set adb root previlage,
In adb command,type su,
then you type the correspondence delete command,
This time,Things will be done
Anyway,extract the bl of the current rom may be the most difficult task.
Try this website,I got it from another post,
GitHub - bkerler/oppo_ozip_decrypt: Oppo Firmware .ozip decrypter
Oppo Firmware .ozip decrypter. Contribute to bkerler/oppo_ozip_decrypt development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com
,
this need python,I wonder if the depressed password of realme x50pro is included yet,
I tried realme x2,And it worked well.

ferryp888 said:
Yeah, I can't uninstall market app too. This app is really annoying because its always updating.
Please someone help us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just Disabled it
pm disable-user --user 0 com.heytap.market

How To Guide Clone Any APPS into Dual Messenger (OneUI 3.1)

How to clone any apps into dual messenger, WITHOUT 3rd party apps.
Requirements​1. PC that have any OS
2. Your pc installed adb version 31.0.2 or later
How To Clone with PC (Simple)​1. Download AyraDualApps on your PC
2. Make sure you've enabled developer settings and enable debug settings
3. Plug your phone into PC
4. Open AyraDualApps and click Browse, select any apk that you want clone
5. Click Install and wait till done, it will show in default launcher
How To Clone without PC (Simple)​You need a PC for first time, or if you uninstalled SAI in dual messenger.
1. Download SAI from here
2. Download AyraDualApps on your PC
3. Make sure you've enabled developer settings and enable debug settings
4. Plug your phone into PC
5. Open AyraDualApps and click Browse, select SAI.apk that you download earlier
6. Click Install and wait till done
7. Open SAI, click Install APKs, select System file picker, select any apk or apks. then install.
How To Clone (Manual)​1. Download SAI from here
2. Make sure you've enabled developer settings and enable debug settings
3. Open dual messenger in advanced settings, enable any apps to create DUAL_APP user.
4. Plug your phone into PC and type
adb shell pm list users
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The output will be:
Users:
UserInfo{0:Ayra Hikari:c13} running
UserInfo{95UAL_APP:20001030} running
UserInfo{150:Secure Folder:10021030} running
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can see that DUAL_APP has user id 95, remember that.
After that you are ready to install any apk into dual messenger storage.
Type manual with
adb install --user 95 any.apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Remember to replace user 95 to your DUAL_APP user.
NOTE​- Not all apps compatible with Samsung Dual App, i tried some but they force close. Most of them are works tho!
- NEVER uninstall any dual apps in your settings storage, it will Uninstall your main app than cloned app. After that, you cannot uninstall cloned app since main base.apk are missing, then your system well bugged. READ HERE TO HOW TO FIX and Workaround

neat

Ayra Hikari said:
How to clone any apps into dual messenger, WITHOUT 3rd party apps.
Requirements​1. PC that have any OS
2. Your pc installed adb version 31.0.2 or later
How To Clone with PC (Simple)​1. Download AyraDualApps on your PC
2. Make sure you've enabled developer settings and enable debug settings
3. Plug your phone into PC
4. Open AyraDualApps and click Browse, select any apk that you want clone
5. Click Install and wait till done, it will show in default launcher
How To Clone without PC (Simple)​You need a PC for first time, or if you uninstalled SAI in dual messenger.
1. Download SAI from here
2. Download AyraDualApps on your PC
3. Make sure you've enabled developer settings and enable debug settings
4. Plug your phone into PC
5. Open AyraDualApps and click Browse, select SAI.apk that you download earlier
6. Click Install and wait till done
7. Open SAI, click Install APKs, select System file picker, select any apk or apks. then install.
How To Clone (Manual)​1. Download SAI from here
2. Make sure you've enabled developer settings and enable debug settings
3. Open dual messenger in advanced settings, enable any apps to create DUAL_APP user.
4. Plug your phone into PC and type
The output will be:
You can see that DUAL_APP has user id 95, remember that.
After that you are ready to install any apk into dual messenger storage.
Type manual with
Remember to replace user 95 to your DUAL_APP user.
NOTE​- Not all apps compatible with Samsung Dual App, i tried some but they force close. Most of them are works tho!
- NEVER uninstall any dual apps in your settings storage, it will Uninstall your main app than cloned app. After that, you cannot uninstall cloned app since main base.apk are missing, then your system well bugged. READ HERE TO HOW TO FIX and Workaround
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hii can I do multiple clone like 3 whatsapp?

Tested in OneUI 4. Works great, the only issue is that SAI doesn't work, it crashes when opening. Don't know if this is because of OneUI 4.
I can't believe I never saw this. This works perfect for me that I can't fix Secure Folder on Android 12 yet because of root. This is the only reason I use Secure Folder, to clone all apps. Thanks!

What about if I update the main app from google play store? Does the clone app updates itself automatically or do I need to update it manually?

ShaDisNX255 said:
Tested in OneUI 4. Works great, the only issue is that SAI doesn't work, it crashes when opening. Don't know if this is because of OneUI 4.
I can't believe I never saw this. This works perfect for me that I can't fix Secure Folder on Android 12 yet because of root. This is the only reason I use Secure Folder, to clone all apps. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you need to install the apk for the normal user and then for dual app user (95). It works fine on OneUI 4.1

Question Install apk from local storage

Hey guy's, I hope somebody can help me out here. I can't find any explanation on internet. I want to install an apk from the local storage on my Rog phone 5 ( android 12,un rooted) .
In the old days it was pretty simple, just a slide to activate the "allow unknown sources", click on the apk file and it would install. Now on the rog phone 5 in the apps&notifications, special app-acces, install unknown apps it only shows a few apps that I can give permissions to install from unknown sources. Like Chrome, file manager, gmail, brave browser etc. ( see picture). So I give the file manager or brave the permission,restart the phone, go to the apk in the file manager but it won't install.
It will just show the contents of the apk. If I select the apk I can remove it, rename it, compress it, anything but install it.
I can choose open with brave but still nothing happens. I tried downloading an app in the playstore to install apk files but it won't even list the apk file. I have no clue why they made something that used to be so easy so complicated. So I hope somebody can enlighten me how to install an apk on this phone. Thanks in advance!

Have you enabled install unknown apps in developers options ? Special app access allows you to allow/not allow individual apps to install unknown apk files. I think you have to enable it in developer options for the native installer first. I may be wrong but it's worth checking.

I'll go check if the option is there and let you know. Tnx man.

The only thing I found was " force app allowance on external drive" and but it changed nothing.

Piriroekoe said:
The only thing I found was " force app allowance on external drive" and but it changed nothing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you could try
Code:
adb shell settings put secure install_non_market_apps 1
adb shell settings put secure unknown_sources_default_reversed 1
that would be from terminal on pc or you could install settings database editor from play store and grant it permissions via adb and you will have gui to change system settings

Could you please walk me through how to do this? Tnx.

Piriroekoe said:
Could you please walk me through how to do this? Tnx.
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Click to collapse
Ok, first I guess I need to ask some questions. Have you tried a different file manager, installed thru play store ? How many .apk files have you tried to install ? If it is just the one app that you have in storage it may be corrupt. Have you tried a fresh copy of it ? Is it an old app and is it compatible with your Android version ?
I don't know what I was thinking, that isn't in developer options anyway, it's in security. It would seem odd for them to remove the ability to install personal apk.