.apk file won't open on android phone.

[Casey 37]

I emailed an .apk file from app inventor to my android phone.  When I try to open it the screen shows the symbol and name, and this message;

Do you want to install this application?  It does not require any special access.

The rest of the screen is blank.

At the bottom of the screen there are 2 buttons,

Cancel 

Install

Cancel works.

Install does nothing.  No response at all.  No explanation.

I did set the security to accept from unknown sources.

What an I missing?

Thanks

[Ghica]

Maybe try installing your .apk using the QR-code option when building the .apk. You can scan the QR code with the companion. The easiest way to install an app.
Cheers, Ghica.

[Casey 37]

I did use the QR-code but got the same results.  Nothing.  It downloads but won't install/open.

[Ghica]

Do you have a friends phone you could try?
Cheers, Ghica

[Casey 37]

I emailed it to my daughter.  She couldn't open it either.  The file is one I developed using AppInventor.  When I scan my phone for .apk files is doesn't find the files I downloaded.  When I look in my download file, they are there.  Why can't they be found?  Could it be a problem with AppInventor?

[Ghica]

Could you post your .aia (you cannot post an .apk)
Cheers, Ghica

[Casey 37]

Sorry for the delay.  I have attached the aia file.

[Ghica]

I tried to build your .aia and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.
What version of Android are you running?
Were you able to run it using the companion?
Are you sure that you allowed to install .apk's from unknown sources?
The easiest way to install an .apk is to build it choosing provide QR code for .apk
Then, if you did that, use the companion to scan the QR code.
Please try again!
Cheers, Ghica.

[Casey 37]

I am running Android 6.0.1

Yes, I can run companion and it does come up on the screen

Yes, I allowed install from unknown sources

Yes, I did build with QR code

Yes, if I scan the QR code with companion it comes up with the same install page but when I click install, nothing happens.

It just won't install the app.  The only way I can get it on my phone is when my computer and companion are connected.

[Ghica]

I really do not know. Is your phone on the same WiFi as your PC?
Cheers, Ghica

[Casey 37]

I don't know either.

Yes, my phone and computer are on the same WiFi.

Everything else works great.  I connect with companion.  I can watch and test the app on my phone while I'm creating it on my computer.  Everything works fine.

I build the package and either send it to my phone or scan the QR code.  It downloads to my phone but won't install.

One strange thing.  If I run the app "Easy Installer" it says No apk files found.

When I download the file to my phone it put it in storage, other, download.

Why doesn't "Easy Installer" see it?

When I tap the file the screen says "Do you want to install this application.  It does not require any special access."

At the bottom of the screen are 2 boxes.  Cancel and Install

Cancel works and closes the screen.

Install does nothing.  The screen just stays the same, nothing.

[SteveJG]

Here are a few things you might try  

1)  Download one of the aia files from the AI2 free online eBook   http://www.appinventor.org/book2 ... the links are at the bottom of the Web page.  The book 'teaches' users how to program with AI2 blocks.

There is a free programming course here http://www.appinventor.org/content/CourseInABox/Intro  and the aia files for the projects in the book are here:  http://www.appinventor.org/bookFiles  .    Why?   What might be inhibiting your loading might be something in your Project that your phone is not compatible with.  If you can compile the apk for a different project and it loads properly would point to a problem in your Project that is inhibiting loading.  If these projects compile/load,  you can focus on perhaps the code in your Project as creating an issue on YOUR phone. It might be as simple as using an AI2 component in your Project that is not compatible with your Android 6 device.

2) Typically, an AI2 app requires some type of 'access' to permissions. You see  "Do you want to install this application.  It does not require any special access.""  You probably should see SEVERAL permission requests.  The message that 'does not require any special access" probably means your system is not compiling a correct apk.   Did you modify the manifest using a third party tool?  Did you compile part of your app using App Inventor 2 and then part using Thunkable or one of the third party versions of 'App Inventor'?  Doing things like this could create issues with the compiled apk .  A modified Project manifest might be the reason for not loading properly on your device.

3)  If you go to Settings in your phone and go to Application manager, can you find the 'name' of your App in the list of applications? That is can you find Cat (if you did not specifically change the name of your app)?

4) You already know "Anyone installing your app (which is an ".apk" file) will need to change the setting on their phone to allow installation of non-market applications:

To find this setting on versions of Android prior to 4.0, go to "Settings > Applications" and then check the box next to "Unknown Sources". For devices running Android 4.0 or above, go to "Settings > Security" or "Settings > Security & Screen Lock" and then check the box next to "Unknown Sources" and confirm your choice."  Your device is an Android 6 phone; did you use the second method described to allow unknown sources?   When you do this, make sure your G3/G4 network is turned off...there is a complicated reason why network should be disabled but I won't go into it.   Just try.

5) Are you using a virus checker?  You might send yourself the apk you download to your PC , read the eMail, then click the downloaded file.  Make sure you have given your phone sufficient time to download...it you attempt to install a file that is only partially installed, the install would fail. Now disable the virus checker and attempt to load.  The virus checker, depending on the vendor, might be inhibiting a proper loading.  Download the apk to your PC and send yourself an eMail...using the QR code is nice but downloading the apk is a more certain way of loading an app.  I do not know why but using the QRcode might not work for you.  When something does not work, try something different. If you do this instead of using the QR code, you do not need to be concerned with Ghica's question about WIFI because you won't use WIF to load the app (as the QR code method does)

6) Are you looking for your app's Cat icon on your phone so you can run the app in the wrong place?    Find the  grid icon that is probably labeled  Apps (it may look like a 4x4 grid of dots or small squares) and look for the app there.  It might be there and your app loaded after all.

What happens in each of these cases?   Knowing the results might help someone provide additional advice that will solve the install problem.

Good luck.

Regards,

Steve

[Casey 37]

Ghica,

Attached is my apk file.  See if you can open it.

apk file removed.   If Ghica wants to see and test the apk, she will ask you to send it to her direct.  Please do not post apk files directly to the forum.  As a security issue,

apk files are prohibited on the Forum.... see  Forum posting guidelines https://groups.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/mitappinventortest/VSXuh8EBSMY .

Testing the apk you generated on an Android 6 device is a good idea.

--Steve

[Ghica]

Casey,
Never do that again, posting .apk's! I told you so earlier.
Anyway, because I am subscribed to the subject, I recieved the .apk and I decided to trust you. So, I put the .apk in a dropbox folder, clicked on it on my phone (Android 6.0.1)
The install screen appeared, I clciked on install, then the open screen appeared and I clicked om open, then the cat appeared and it mews too. Now, I will delete everything again.
So, Either you did not have the settings for allowing other .apk's right, or you did not click on install, or, you did not click on open.
Cheers, Ghica.

[Casey 37]

Sorry for posting but I thought that was the only way to pinpoint the problem.  Thanks for all your help. Now I know it's a phone problem.  I'll let you know if and when I resolve it.