---
title: "Why can't I install APK apps?"  
description: "Why can't I install APK apps?"  
author: "Lily Chitlangiya"  
published: 2021-12-09  
canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/94422/why-can-t-i-install-apk-apps  
category: "troubleshooting"  
tags: ["android", "troubleshooting"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# Why can't I install APK apps?

Why can't I [install](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/12876/the-top-5-reasons-to-buy-and-install-a-tonneau-cover) [APK](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/23271/is-there-a-way-to-get-the-source-code-from-an-apk-file) [apps](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/12333/browsers-not-apps-are-the-future-of-smart-phones)?

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## Answers

### Answer by Hitesh Vohra

The App is not installed problem, which happens when users **try to sideload APK** from other sources, is a less common yet annoying error (not Play Store). Because typical users rarely install software from **third-party sources,** to begin with, this issue is uncommon. **Solution** **Updating (or downgrading) apps** with an APK is usually a wonderful option to either go back to a supported but less-than-optimal version or receive a newer version without having to wait for the official Play Store release. It does not, however, always work as intended. We propose removing the original software and doing a **clean install instead of updating an app (overwriting version).** Of course, this does not apply to some system software that cannot be removed. You can't even use the stock package installer to upgrade some Android skins. For them, you need presumably **delete updates** and then sideload an APK to restore them. So, instead of updating and downgrading an app, conduct a fresh install with an APK.


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Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/94422/why-can-t-i-install-apk-apps

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