Where is an .apk stored on a phone?

[Kel Mohror]

My Alcatel Evolve2 has an app named "File Manager." I can't find an "About" that tells me its capabilities. A search for ".apk" yields no results,; I can't see if my test project is installed or not. The phone storage meter is red; the microSD is essentially empty. Can't even get out of the ai2Starter blocks.

[Chris Ward]

The phone manufacturers all have their own bits and bobs on top of Android. You should be able to see more of the files by connecting your phone to a PC via a USB cable.

How did you get your test project onto the phone? Using Companion?

If you connect the phone to your PC with a USB cable, you can save the APK file on your PC, then drag-drop it into a folder on the phones "virtual" SD card (Android phones usually have an area of memory labelled SD - not to be confused with a physical SD card plugged into the slot). On my phone, there is a very convenient folder named "downloads". Once on the phone, you can double click the APK (with your mouse on the PC)  and the App should install.

Normally, you cannot see the files of an installed App. Each App has it's own private area on the phone, a basic security measure by Google. Of course there are Android apps/PC apps out in the wild that can explore more, but you shouldn't need to.

The phone Storage Meter is Red? That sounds like an Alcatel thing - perhaps it means that you cannot install another app? Perhaps try uninstalling apps you hardly ever use? Perhaps moving media files (photos, music etc) from the phone to the microSD card will help free-up memory?

[Kel Mohror]

To test the .apk I am building, Chris, I connect by USB the Alcatel to my PC.My phone does show a "Downloads" folder; rather the folder names are vague (e.g. DCIM, .Notes, .android). When I click one to open it, a "Folder empty" message is displayed. Should I create a Downloads folder (or will that confuse Android?)

If I put the test .apk (standard components and blocks; no hacking functionality) on the phone and run it, can it break the OS, making the phone a hockey puck?

I will go to the cell service store and ask there about the red storage meter. The phone has two pages of Google apps (most I rarely use, some I have uninstalled. One uninstall killed the onscreen easy-to-read time/date display. Since I don't know how "everything is connected to everything else" app-wise, I'm not uninstalling others for now).

Thanks for setting some "stepping-stones" in my journey to learn AI2!

Kel

[Chris Ward]

Hi Kel

Perhaps you could post a screenshot of your folders list? Sounds like you are in the right place. DCIM folder should contain pictures taken with the camera and it should be safe to place the APK file in there. Note that an APK is effectively a zip file. When you double-click on it, the OS should either install your app or give an error message that might be useful or might look like it was written by a Martian.

I think a hockey puck could be a handy item anyway........but I don't know if your test app could do any harm to your phone. I can say it is very unlikely to. If you post the .aia file, I will take a quick look at it for you.

[Timothy S]

Download the "solid explorer file manager" App. and click on the "enlarges gals" type the name of your app en find him..

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pl.solidexplorer2&hl=nl

[Chris Ward]

How did you do Kel?

There is an excellent guide on how to switch to developer mode on Alcatel phones:

http://www.hardreset.info/devices/alcatel/alcatel-alcatel-one-touch-pixi-4-5/faq/tips-tricks/how-to-open-developer-options-in-android-device/