Why can't I install any apk's? (pressing install does nothing, no error message whatsover)

[TMCThomas]

Hey everyone, got an issue while trying to install an apk. For some reason when I click on install during the apk installation proces nothing happens. No error, no permission message, no installation message etc. Just nothing. I've got a video of what happens when I try to install an apk over here:

In the past i've installed many apk's before without issues. Now interestingly if you watch the video carefully you can see another screen pop up. Before giving me the installation option. That screen has the title "unknown" and says 'executing app" I don't remember seeing that before. Maybe it's part of the problem?

Thinks I've tried so far: -Rebooting the phone -Clearing packet installer cache -wiping all system cache (through recovery mode) -trying different apk's

Now interestingly when I use the app that the top comment of this older reddit thread recommands (

https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidQuestions/comments/va4nbq/apks_wont_install_on_android_11

) to install apk's it works just fine. While it's nice that that works I would prefer to install apk's the normal route without an extra app. I think some system component might be bugged, clearing the data for it might fix it but I wouldn't know which one to target. Anyone got any idea what's going on and how I might fix it?

Phone: s21 ultra
Software: Android 14 ( one ui 6.1)
Security patch: 1 october 2024

 

[SpookDroid]

The app you're installing from (yes, that matters this time around) may be blocked from installing apps from unknown sources. Go to your phone's Settings, Security and Privacy, More security settings. There, you'll find the Install unknown apps option, where you can allow individual apps to install APKs.

 

[TMCThomas]

The app you're installing from (yes, that matters this time around) may be blocked from installing apps from unknown sources. Go to your phone's Settings, Security and Privacy, More security settings. There, you'll find the Install unknown apps option, where you can allow individual apps to install APKs.

Unfortunately that's not the issue, I should have mentioned it but it was the first thing I checked. Chrome and epic both have permission.

 

[SpookDroid]

Is the 'Auto Blocker' option disabled in the Security and privacy settings? Have you tried running the APK file directly from the File Manager? Is the Epic app allowed storage access?

https://www.epicgames.com/help/en-US/c-Category_Fortnite/c-Fortnite_TechnicalSupport/how-to-disable-auto-blocker-on-your-samsung-galaxy-phone-running-one-ui-6-1-1-a000090482

 

[TMCThomas]

Auto blocker is off, running from file manager doesn't work either. I've even tried to install APKs that were still in my downloads that i have installed before without succes. Same thing happens everytime. Epic doesn't seem to ask for storage permission.

 

[SpookDroid]

I'm stumped on this one Maybe a bug on the latest update from Samsung? ddddddddddddddd

 

[TMCThomas]

I'm stumped on this one Maybe a bug on the latest update from Samsung? ddddddddddddddd

Yeah I had the same thing hahah, I suppose but I don't think it's widespread and it's been like this for a few months now. Could of course try to reset the phone, but I would really rather not do that.

 

[SpookDroid]

If you uninstall the Epic store (reboot the phone after), do other APKs you mentioned install now? Or do they still 'stall'? Also, not sure if that would be the case, but maybe the 'Draw over apps' permission isn't set correctly and the system isn't displaying that 'Are you sure you want to install this' pop-up? (Which could explain why these don't install and just hang there...because they're not getting that confirmation button).

 

[mustang7757]

Moved this to the s21 forums

 

[mustang7757]

Try going to settings>apps>3 dots upper right corner tap reset app preference and see if this works


Which site are you getting these APK?