[vox-tech] Package file invalid error when installing android apps

[Brian Lavender]

On Sun, Mar 31, 2013 at 03:15:46PM -0700, Alex Mandel wrote:
> On 03/31/2013 01:46 PM, Brian Lavender wrote:
> > On Sun, Mar 31, 2013 at 12:50:40PM -0700, Brian Lavender wrote:
> >> On Sun, Mar 31, 2013 at 11:11:40AM -0700, Alex Mandel wrote:
> >>> On 03/31/2013 10:48 AM, Brian Lavender wrote:
> >>>> On Sun, Mar 31, 2013 at 12:35:04AM -0700, Brian Lavender wrote:
> >>>>> I keep getting the "Package File Invalid" error when I try to install apps
> >>>>> on my android. I tried clearing caches and data, but I can not seem to
> >>>>> get any apps to install. I have a Samsung R910 from Metro PCS with the
> >>>>> Basix for R910.  I am attempting to install apps over wifi as I don't have
> >>>>> service on this phone anymore.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> http://androidforums.com/indulge-all-things-root/381732-rom-r910-basix-1-0-aitos-revenge-speed-battery-smoothness-customizability-7-24-11-a.html
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Any tips?
> >>>>
> >>>> How do I get the apk package files for applications? I am thinking I can
> >>>> just use adb to install them.
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> What method are you trying to use right now? Google Play?
> >>> Wifi should not be a factor.
> >>> I'm not sure there is an easy way to extract apk from the Google Play
> >>> webpages, it mostly should be about finding the url to grab the file.
> >>>
> >>> I can give you an apk to try side loading (need allow 3rd party app
> >>> installation enabled).
> >>> http://www.wildlifecrossing.net/california/android
> >>
> >> This phone has Google Market. Previously, when I reset the phone, it auto upgraded
> >> to Google Play. It has not yet auto upgraded. Yet, I did give it my Google account
> >> and when I log into Google Play website, I can see that it detected the phone.
> >>
> >> I just tried "adb shell" and I can't even get a shell on the device. Usually, the shell
> >> will work.
> >>
> >> It looks like other problems as well. I turned on usb debugging and I
> >> have used adb before, so I am pretty sure I am using adb correctly. Below
> >> is the output I get:
> >>
> >> [brian at localhost indulge.aio.v1.00]$ sudo ./adb shell
> >> * daemon not running. starting it now on port 5037 *
> >> * daemon started successfully *
> >> error: device not found
> >
> > After playing a bit, I got adb shell working. So, I tried installing
> > Roadkill and it worked. I ran the application and played with it a
> > bit. Below is the output:
> >
> > [brian at localhost indulge_root]$ ./adb install roadkill-latest.apk
> > 177 KB/s (136028 bytes in 0.750s)
> > 	pkg: /data/local/tmp/roadkill-latest.apk
> > Success
> >
> > I did notice some oddities when I tried doing an lsusb. It seems that
> > my phone would not appear in the list of devices. After connecting and
> > disconnecting a few times and turning on and off the debugging settings
> > and storage settings, the phone connected with "adb shell".
> >
> > I was able to install a few other apps now from the "Android Market". Yet,
> > if I try to install Firefox it still says "Package file is invalid".
> >
> >
> > brian
> >
> 
> Are you positive that Firefox packages available are compatible with 
> your version of Android. Usually if you browse on the Play website with 
> your computer, logged in so it knows your phone, it will tell you when 
> you try to select an app.

99% sure. 

> 
> FYI, you know you can trigger an app download from the web as long as 
> you use the same account for the phone.

I have two phones registered to this account. I gave one an alias as was
recommended. When I select Firefox, it says it is compatible with my phone.
Yet when I try to tell Google play to download it to the phone, it doesn't 
automatically do it like it has done in the past. 

-- 
Brian Lavender
http://www.brie.com/brian/

"There are two ways of constructing a software design. One way is to
make it so simple that there are obviously no deficiencies. And the other
way is to make it so complicated that there are no obvious deficiencies."

Professor C. A. R. Hoare
The 1980 Turing award lecture