Xamarin, problem with running APK - There was a problem parsing the package

Question

I try programmatically to install the APK file. I put it into the "download" folder of the device. I make everything according to the instructions from this link Installing APK

i.e. I put the xml file in Resources/xml/provider_paths.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<paths>
    <external-path name="external_files" path="."/>
</paths>

I add the manifest inside application tags

<provider
            android:name="androidx.core.content.FileProvider"
            android:authorities="${applicationId}.provider"
            android:exported="false"
            android:grantUriPermissions="true">
    <meta-data
        android:name="android.support.FILE_PROVIDER_PATHS"
        android:resource="@xml/provider_paths" />
</provider>

And then I try to install APK in code

public void OpenApk()
{
    var path =
        Android.OS.Environment.GetExternalStoragePublicDirectory(
        Android.OS.Environment.DirectoryDownloads);

    Java.IO.File file = new Java.IO.File(path + "/", "test.apk");

    Intent install = new Intent(Intent.ActionView);

    Android.Net.Uri apkURI = FileProvider.GetUriForFile(Forms.Context, Forms.Context.ApplicationContext.PackageName + ".provider", file);
    install.SetDataAndType(apkURI, "application/vnd.android.package-archive");
    install.AddFlags(ActivityFlags.NewTask);
    install.AddFlags(ActivityFlags.GrantReadUriPermission);

    Forms.Context.StartActivity(install);
}

But the installation fails with "There was a problem parsing the package" What can be wrong?

Did you check the compatible android version? – Akash Kansara May 25 '22 at 08:47 — Akash Kansara, May 25 '22 at 08:47

Liyun Zhang - MSFT · Answer 1 · 2022-05-27T06:51:12.027

0

I had done a simple and reproduced your problem. The cause of it is the apk file in the media Download folder.There are two solutions for you.

Move the apk file to your app's own folder, such as: var path = GetExternalFilesDir(null).ToString();

Grant your app the permission about accessing all the files.

Add the permission into the AndroidManifest.xml:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />

Use the following code to request the permission before you install the apk:

if (!Android.OS.Environment.IsExternalStorageManager)
        {
            Intent intent = new Intent();
            intent.SetAction(Android.Provider.Settings.ActionManageAppAllFilesAccessPermission);
            Android.Net.Uri uri = Android.Net.Uri.FromParts("package", this.PackageName, null);
            intent.SetData(uri);
            StartActivity(intent);
        }

Update:

This is the OnCreate method of my MainActivity and it worked well:

  protected override void OnCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState)
    {
        base.OnCreate(savedInstanceState);
        Xamarin.Essentials.Platform.Init(this, savedInstanceState);
        global::Xamarin.Forms.Forms.Init(this, savedInstanceState);
        LoadApplication(new App());
        if (!Android.OS.Environment.IsExternalStorageManager)
        {
            Intent intent = new Intent();
            intent.SetAction(Android.Provider.Settings.ActionManageAppAllFilesAccessPermission);
            Android.Net.Uri uri = Android.Net.Uri.FromParts("package", this.PackageName, null);
            intent.SetData(uri);
            StartActivity(intent);
        }
    }

edited May 27 '22 at 06:51

answered May 26 '22 at 03:01

Liyun Zhang - MSFT

8,271
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Intent intent = new Intent(); intent.SetAction(Android.Provider.Settings.ActionManageAppAllFilesAccessPermission); Android.Net.Uri uri = Android.Net.Uri.FromParts("package", this.PackageName, null); intent.SetData(uri); StartActivity(intent); It gives the exception "No Activity found to handle Intent" – user2273044 May 26 '22 at 07:00
You can try the first solution and I do this in a xamarin.android project. So I will try to find how to resolve the exception and reply to you.@user2273044 – Liyun Zhang - MSFT May 26 '22 at 07:04
You can put the code in the OnCreate method of the MainActivity.@user2273044 – Liyun Zhang - MSFT May 26 '22 at 07:08
I had try this in a forms project and it worked well.@user2273044 – Liyun Zhang - MSFT May 26 '22 at 07:09
yes, I put it in the OnCreate and have same error – user2273044 May 27 '22 at 06:39
You can check the update in the answer and had you tried the first solution? You can put the apk into the app's own folder and this will be easy.@user2273044 – Liyun Zhang - MSFT May 27 '22 at 06:53
The first solution runs properly. Thank you – user2273044 Jun 02 '22 at 10:45

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 30 '22 at 10:10

-> In Archive for Publishing, the Distribution Channel dialog presents two choices for distribution. Select Ad-Hoc -> After Ad-Hoc is selected, Visual Studio opens the Signing Identity page of the dialog as shown in the next screenshot. To publish the .APK, it must first be signed with a signing key (also referred to as a certificate).

-> An existing certificate can be used by clicking the Import button and then proceeding to Sign the APK. Otherwise, click the click the + button to create a new certificate -> The Create Android Key Store dialog is displayed; use this dialog to create a new signing certificate that can be used for signing Android applications. Now sign in and then run on android

Xamarin, problem with running APK - There was a problem parsing the package

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