How to resolve common Android app install failures (with errors)

Looking to understand some of the most common application installation errors? I've compiled a list below.

For clarity, these messages are provided by Android, with the exception of ENTERPRISE_AUTO_INSTALL_ERROR_NOT_COMPATIBLE_WITH_DEVICE, which is received via CloudDPC/Google Play during the automatic installation process. The scenarios therefore when these messages would show in logs is when an application is locally installed directly on the device, via -

• ADB
• File manager
• EMM agent
• Externally hosted
• Any unknown sources-enabled application

INSTALL_FAILED_ALREADY_EXISTS

There's an identical version of the application you're trying to install already present on the device. Have you updated your version code? If not, and you don't want to, remove the existing application first.

INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_APK

Android considers the package to be invalid. It may be corrupt or not packaged correctly.

INSTALL_FAILED_INSUFFICIENT_STORAGE

There is no space remaining on the device. Delete all the saved memes and try again.

INSTALL_FAILED_DUPLICATE_PACKAGE

Though the application itself may be unique, it shares a package name with an app already installed. Update the package name, or remove any existing duplicate-named packages from the device first.

INSTALL_FAILED_UPDATE_INCOMPATIBLE

Android tried to update an existing installed application with the new one being presented, but the signatures don't match. Double-check the signing keys used. If this is an intentional change, you'll need to first remove the old application from the device.

INSTALL_FAILED_DEXOPT

Installation may have worked, but the application failed to validate its DEX files. There may not be enough space, or an application issue is present.

INSTALL_FAILED_OLDER_SDK

The minTargetSDK of the application is higher than that of the device. For example, trying to install an application targeting Android 14 (API level 34), on a device running Android 12 (API level 31). Note this is explicitly minTargetSDK, which defines the minimum version of Android an application will run on. This can be due to a particular library in use relying on newer functionality, or a misconfiguration.

INSTALL_FAILED_TEST_ONLY

The application is flagged as a test app. Build for debug or release instead.

INSTALL_FAILED_CPU_ABI_INCOMPATIBLE, INSTALL_FAILED_NO_MATCHING_ABIS

The application likely isn't compatible with the device architecture, but there are a few nuances to ABIs and the appropriate debugging should be undertaken.

INSTALL_FAILED_MISSING_FEATURE

The application defines required features in the app manifest that aren't present on the device. For example telephony, camera, GPS, etc. See ENTERPRISE_AUTO_INSTALL_ERROR_NOT_COMPATIBLE_WITH_DEVICE below for further details and resolution.

INSTALL_FAILED_VERIFICATION_TIMEOUT, INSTALL_FAILED_VERIFICATION_FAILURE

The installation verification process timed out or failed. Retry the installation.

If it continues to time out, or verification repeatedly fails, Google Play Protect is unhappy with the application. You may disable verification via ADB:

adb shell settings put global verifier_verify_adb_installs 0

Or through device Settings > Developer settings > Verify apps over USB

INSTALL_FAILED_VERSION_DOWNGRADE

The application being installed is of a lower version code than that already present on the device. The existing installed application would need to be removed because Android doesn't support rolling back.

INSTALL_FAILED_PERMISSION_MODEL_DOWNGRADE

Be honest, you're trying to bypass the permission model introduced in Android 6.0 with an update, aren't you? You can't do this. Any new version of an app that targets an SDK version supporting the runtime permissions model can only be updated with a version that still supports runtime permissions. You could remove the old version and install the new version fresh, though you really should just support runtime permissions.

INSTALL_FAILED_DEPRECATED_SDK_VERSION

A restriction on the minTargetSDK version introduced in Android 14. Target a newer SDK version for these devices. Read more here.

INSTALL_PARSE_FAILED_NOT_APK

Android only supports .APK files when not directly installed from a Store. If you're trying to sideload a .AAB, convert/build to .APK and try again.

INSTALL_PARSE_FAILED_BAD_MANIFEST

Your AndroidManifest.xml file is missing or corrupt. The application source will need to be reviewed, and a new build repackaged for installation.

INSTALL_PARSE_FAILED_BAD_PACKAGE_NAME

Your AndroidManifest.xml file has a missing or incorrectly formatted package name. The application source will need to be reviewed, and a new build repackaged for installation.

INSTALL_PARSE_FAILED_UNEXPECTED_EXCEPTION

Android fell over. Try again?

INSTALL_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR

Android fell over in a different way. Try again?

INSTALL_PARSE_FAILED_SKIPPED

Android continues to fall over, but do check the integrity of the application since this is a parser error, though the reasoning is not provided for the installation failure.

INSTALL_FAILED_USER_RESTRICTED

The user associated with the installation request is not permitted to install applications. Review policies or attempt to install under an alternative user.

INSTALL_FAILED_BAD_SIGNATURE

This happens when there is an issue detected with the application signature. Validate the app signing process and try again.

ENTERPRISE_AUTO_INSTALL_ERROR_NOT_COMPATIBLE_WITH_DEVICE

This often happens when the Play Store determines an app is not compatible with the device it has been assigned to. Commonly this is permission or - more specifically - feature related. The specific features requested (either explicitly with uses-feature or automatically through assumed feature requirement if only uses-permission is declared without uses-feature), are not available on the hardware.

Review the permissions/features in use, and if you'd like to use a permission without mandating the associated feature be present, declare android:required="false" explicitly per-permission that isn't critical to functionality.

You cannot rollout this release because it does not allow any existing users to upgrade to the newly added APKs

Your version code is likely lower than the already-uploaded application version. Increase the version code and try again.

APK signed in debug mode

You're attempting to upload an APK that isn't signed as release. Google Play doesn't accept test or debug versions of apps. Sign the APK for release and try again.

APK has been signed with an insecure key size

The application has been signed with a too-small key size. Use a stronger signing key to sign the application and try again.

APK size too big

Google Play has a size limitation for uploads. Avoid uploading files in excess of 150MB. If your app really is that large, you should consider switching to AAB and upload it through the Google Play developer console. Where possible try to lean on external resources and on-demand payloads.

APK contains an app restriction schema that failed to parse. Restriction [name_of_bundle] has one or more invalid nested restrictions.

Ensure the XML app_restrictions schema is valid and try again.

Additionally, Google Play has an undocumented limit on the depth of nested restrictions within an application. In testing this is two bundle restriction types. If a third bundle is added, any restrictions added, even if valid, will be flagged as invalid by Google Play.

Raise an issue, or get in touch.