There was a problem parsing the package android
‘there was a problem parsing the package android’ is an error message that occurred on Android devices while installing a package or app. There may be several reasons like device incompatibility, error in code, corrupted drive or disk, etc., behind it. But we can solve this in a very easy manner.
Parse error
We often see this message soon after opening an application or APK or file on an Android. This is an error message. Most often this error message arises because of the corrupted code in the apk or a file. Sometimes it is because of incompatibility of your device. Soon after seeing that pop up with this error message, many users quit or withdraw from working with that sort of files and apk.
Android allows its users to download the applications (apps) from Playstore with registered e-mail ID. On the other hand, it also allows all of its users to download apk’s from their browsers. This differs from application in Playstore. The total control of this apk will be under a private body sometimes a single person or a developer who knows app development. Installing such apks is not always advisable and sometimes dangerous too.
Continue reading to know totally about the error message we are dealing at present, reasons behind it, and solutions for it. What exactly an apk is? and many other things.
Reasons for this error to occur
We know that everything occurs for a reason. In the same way, this parsing error has many reasons to come up. I mention here those reasons below. And it also gives their respective solution are also in this article itself.
Most probably android users face this issue. It may be during a file reading, apk installing or file editing. However, whatever it might be, when you tend to see “there is a problem parsing the package” message on your screens, these may be the possible reasons for it occur.
- File or apk might not have downloaded completely.
- The memory card/ drive you are using may be crooked.
- The apk you are trying to open may have some missing values or data.
- The current android version you are using now might not be adaptable.
- Lack of required features and configurations in your device might also be a reason.
- Error in the developed apk code.
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1st Method | Just update and restart
Sometimes play store apps itself display this error message ‘There is a problem parsing the package’. Then there might be a necessity to update the app. Play store applications often release updates for their apps. Some of these updates are automatic and most of them wait for the user’s permission. In such cases, we should visit that application in the Play store and tap ‘Update’. To know it more detailed just follow the steps here.
1: Go to play store app on your android mobile.
2: Open/search for the app, which shows the error message in Playstore. (with the same name).
3: Click “Update” button.
4: After completion of the update, restart your phone.
5: Now you have the issue solved. If not, try another method, you can find them here.
2nd Method | tick and un-tick
When you have a problem with apk files, try the below steps. Mostly the quality of the app depends on the site you are using to download it. Apkmirror is the best website to find apk files. For all the original apps in playstore you can have the apk with exactly the same features on this website. Sometimes, new features are unlocked with no cost through Apk files in Apkmirror.
1: Go to setting.
2: Then go to security.
3: You’ll find the below mentioned three options ticked,
- Unknown sources.
- Verify apps.
- App permissions.
As you see them ticked, remove those ticks and once again tick them. (Tick and Untick)
4: Now open browser and browse www.apkmirror.com.
5: Then search and install the app you are looking for.
6: Now you have the issue solved. If not, try another method, you can find them here.
3rd Method | apkeditor | Sdk error
I have already mentioned that this problem will also occur due to code error. If the problem is really due to sdk error in your apk file, then this might fix your issue. To solve the sdk file error, follow the steps mentioned below.
1: download Apkeditor, in your android mobile.
2: Soon after downloading the app open it and “Select an apk file”.
3: After selecting you’ll be shown three editing options, select the first one i.e. Full edit.
4: Now, while loading itself you’ll see ‘manifest’ option at the right-bottom corner, click it.
5: It takes some time to laod, It displays you the apk code.
6: Now, you’ll be provided with search option down to the screen. Search for the term ‘Sdk’.
7: You’ll find minSdkversion=19 in the code. Just change that ‘19’ to ‘14’.
8: Now click on Save at top to save the changes. It takes a couple of minutes.
9: Finally, Go back and install the same apk that troubled you. Now you’ll have no more issues.
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4th Method | Check storage
Many of the times this error might also occur due to storage issues. Then all you need to do is clear the unwanted data, delete some unwanted applications and just create free space to download apk. As it is a known fact that apk takes more storage than a regular app from playstore, this step to clear data is necessary. To check and clear some space to follow the steps below.
1: Go to settings on your android mobile.
2: Select ‘storage’.
3: If there is no enough space in your device, then go to step 4. Otherwise choose an alternate method from this article to surpass the error.
4: look for the unwanted applications, unused documents and a clear cache of large apps. (say, all Google services apps)
5: Soon after doing this you’ll be getting enough space for your new apk.
6: Download and install it now, with no parsing error.
5th Method
Sometimes just disabling the third-party apps that indirectly manage your OS, may also give a solution for this sort of errors. For example, antivirus app and etc., These apps prevent the Apk files in some or the other way to work on your android mobiles. So, to uninstall such apps, > restart your device and then install the apk you desire for. This should definitely fix your problem of the same we are discussing.
What is an APK?
APK (Android Package Kit) is sometimes called an Android Application Package. The installation and distribution of mobile applications happen through a package file format called as an APK. To be more literal is guides and helps the installation of mobile apps in Android Operating Systems. Apps that are available on Appstore have some restrictions and guidelines to follow. But we can directly download and install these package kits (APK) from the internet or our browser.
We can also access all the restricted features of an Appstore application through this Apk just by downloading it. However, we cannot purely trust these APK files. There are no guidelines and policies for these APK files. So, we treat these as harmful both for devices and your privacy.
Hint to solve all the android problems
We often face technical issues regarding android apps and devices. However, there is a common solution which gives an answer to all the issues. So, whatever the problem is, first go to settings > Apps > Application manager > Select the app > Force stop and clear cache along with app data > restart your device. If this does not solve your problem, then move to the next steps like Google or YouTube.
Clearing the cache and restarting the device itself makes many issues clear. This frees your machine’s software free from old data or sometimes corrupted data. Force stopping an application disables all its past pending assignments and renews the app for new assignments.
Conclusion
Thus we have solved the issue in five different ways. There are many such ways to solve the issue. But these are standard and can solve all sorts of issues an APK has. Most often this error message arises because of the corrupted code in the apk or a file. Sometimes it is because of the incompatibility of your device. Soon after seeing that pop up with this error message, many users quit or withdraw from working with that sort of file and apk.
As I have already mentioned, clearing the cache and restarting the device itself makes many issues clear. This frees your machine’s software free from old data or sometimes corrupted data. Force stopping an application disables all its past pending assignments and renews the app for new assignments.
As always said and heard, be aware with APK files. So, it is now “there was a problem parsing the package android“
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Hii, My name is Karthik Yarramati and I’m fond of writing content.
I am an author, speaker, Programmer and entrepreneur too.
Besides pursuing my B-tech, I work as a Search Engine optimizer at ricestores.in and blogger at Devrushi.com. Being a technical student, I am passionate about technical stuff and content development. By the way, I’m good at programming in c, c++ and python.
My first writing is non-intentional and is written out of pain regarding Disha’s incident in India. It includes awareness and Self defense importance. My friend posted it on WhatsApp and www.Devrushi.com as a blog post. Within one day it gained huge response and popularity.
Day by day I started to write such many blogs. My blogs have grown in popularity and have begun to generate income.
In this way, my hobby turned out to be a profession.
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