Android is the most popular mobile operating system. The reason why this OS has become so widespread among the masses is its versatility, convenience, and ease of use. Most smartphone owners give their preference to it, since most software Today it is aimed specifically at Android.
But even its popularity does not mean that some problems cannot arise with it. Every user wants to install the application they like, but sometimes when downloading it, an error appears stating that there was a failure to parse the package.
Reasons for this problem
Package parsing may fail in the following situations:
- was downloaded by you APK file Currupted or it was not fully loaded;
- there is a possibility that the “Allow installation of applications from unverified sources” item is not checked in the permissions;
- if the application does not fit existing version android.
How to fix the problem?
There are often situations when users experience a failure in parsing the Android package; not only Internet resources, but also service centers will tell you what to do in this situation if the phone is under warranty.
The solution to this problem can be quite simple:
- First, you need to allow installation of applications from all known sources. As a rule, all smartphones are predisposed to downloading applications from, but if the same document is located on another source, the phone may give an error.
- It is best to install from Google Play, even though many of them request to receive unnecessary information. The reason for this is that files on third-party resources are often unverified, and therefore some damage and defects in them are a common problem.
- If the Android version is not compatible with the selected application, then just try installing it on another smartphone with a more recent operating system update.
Failure to parse the Android package is a common problem with many smartphones, which can be solved in a few clicks. If you are unable to resolve the problems yourself, you must contact service center for more detailed information.
Android OS is the most popular smartphone OS today, and this is largely due to its extensive collection of applications. Besides Android platform is an open source operating system source code, which is very convenient for developers of all kinds of software and is also one of the reasons for its popularity. Thus, if an Android user is thinking about switching to another mobile OS, he will first look at the range of applications and only then will he decide whether to switch or not. However, even with all its advantages, the Android OS is not immune to errors, and users periodically encounter them.
Syntax error on Android devices is one of the oldest and most common errors faced by Android device owners. The error usually appears when trying to install an application on mobile phone. The message about it looks like this: “ Syntax error. Error parsing packages" You need to understand this as follows: “the application cannot be installed on your phone due to a parsing problem”
If you continue to try to install the selected software by making changes to application manifest file, then you are unlikely to get rid of the error. Artificially reducing the program's requirements for the system is not a good idea. Today we decided to thoroughly understand probable reasons error appears and offer you several ways to easily and safely resolve it.
Causes of syntax error in Android:
Before we start fixing the error, let's look at what could be causing it. Today known several such reasons:- Making changes to the application manifest file (for example, changing requirements for the Android OS version).
- Damaged or incomplete download of the .apk file.
- Download and Install third party applications from unknown sources if there is no permission for such actions in the smartphone settings.
- Incompatibility of Android OS version or hardware smartphone with the requirements of the application to be installed.
- Block the installation of any third-party applications with security settings.
Method 1. Checking the application manifest file
This solution is only intended for users who use programs to make changes to application manifest files. So, if you are one of them and have made any changes to the app's AndroidManifest.xml file, you need to try to restore it V initial state "by default". Before you do anything, make sure that the .apk name has been changed. For example, if the original.apk was named original.apk and you renamed it original1.apk then you may have to rename it back to the original name, which is "Original.apk".
After the renaming is done, try installing the application on your phone again and see if the error when parsing the package disappears.
There may be a problem with application code. It is very difficult to diagnose a specific cause in this case, and universal methods there is no solution to the problem - you will either have to figure it out long and hard, or take the path of least resistance by using an alternative method of installing the selected application (for example, from another device).
Method 2: Allow installation of applications from unknown sources
In accordance with security requirements, an Android smartphone may prohibit installing third-party applications and software from unknown sources, allowing this only from Google Play Store. The ban is due to the fact that installing third-party applications from unknown sources can damage your phone.So, if you are trying to install an .apk file, you may encounter a “package parsing error”. To correct the error and bypass the ban, you need Allow installation of applications from unknown sources. The corresponding item is available in the phone's security settings. 
Go back to the folder where the .apk file is located. Click on it and install the application.
Method 3: Enable USB Debugging
Enabling USB debugging is not really necessary to install Android apps using an .apk file. But some users claim that they solved the problem with a syntax error on Android using this method.Method 4: Disable antivirus
A syntax error can also occur if your antivirus program blocks installation. Most antivirus programs try to block the installation of applications that they consider to be unreliable or suspicious. So, if you are trying to install an .apk file, the reason for the error may be that your antivirus application is blocking the .apk file, preventing the installation of “suspicious” software.
Try temporarily disabling your antivirus and trying to install the .apk file. If the reason is guessed correctly, the installation will proceed without problems and error messages when parsing the android package.
Method 5: Corrupt or incompletely downloaded APK file
The error can also occur due to a damaged .apk file. Try downloading the latest version of the APK file and installing the application. Perhaps this will help resolve the error. Also, make sure you download full file - To do this, just compare the sizes of the proposed and downloaded file. Partial downloading of the .apk file will certainly result in a parse error during app installation.Method 6: Application incompatibility
Some programs do not support outdated versions Android operating system. Some applications are incompatible with outdated device hardware. In both cases, when you try to install the application, you receive an Android package parsing error. For example, when you try to install an application that requires and above on a smartphone with . To avoid getting caught similar situation, carefully read the description of the application on the Google Play Store, especially in the part where the system requirements are given.Today we looked at a number of ways to solve a syntax error and found out the reasons for its occurrence. If you have encountered it on your device and successfully overcome it, please tell us about your experience in the comments. Perhaps your method will be a lifesaver for some users.
Android users may, under certain circumstances, see a message on their device that says, “There was a problem parsing the package.” We will describe below how to fix such a failure, what its features and causes are. The popularity of such a platform is largely due to its extensive collection of applications.
General information
First, you should say a few words about the features of the operating system, which will help you quickly resolve the failure indicated by the message: “There was a problem parsing the package.” Android is a platform with open source, which is convenient for creators of all kinds of software. This fact also had a positive impact on the demand for the system.
Often, if Android users are thinking about switching to another mobile OS, they first evaluate the range of applications, and only then decide to migrate. However, despite all the advantages, the platform is not immune to failures.
Error: “There was a problem parsing the package” is one of the oldest and most common problems faced by device owners. This message usually appears when you try to install an application on a mobile phone.
If you try to continue installing the selected software by making changes to the manifest file, this will most likely not resolve the issue. Artificially reducing the program's requirements for the system is not a good idea. Next we will talk about more effective solutions.
Reasons
First you need to figure out why the device writes: “There was a problem parsing the package.” There are several known reasons for this failure. First of all, the message may appear after making changes to the manifest file related to the selected application. For example, if you adjust the requirements for Android versions.
The next reason is the corruption of the .apk file. The failure may also be caused by the installation of third-party applications obtained from unknown sources if the smartphone settings do not allow such actions.
The error may be caused by version incompatibility Android devices with the requirements of the selected application. Another reason could be security settings. They may prohibit the installation of any third-party software.
Checking the manifest file
Now let's take a practical look at how to fix the problem if there is a problem parsing a package. The first solution is for users who use special means to make edits to application files like manifest.
If any changes were made to the AndroidManifest.xml element before the crash occurred, you must restore the material to its original state. Before you do anything, you should make sure that the name of the .apk file has been changed. If this is the case, you need to return the previous name to the specified element.
When the reverse renaming is completed, we again try to install the application on the device. Let's check if the error has disappeared. There may also be a problem with the application code. Diagnosing the exact cause in this case is very difficult. You can resort to alternative way installing the selected application, for example, from another device.
Lifting bans
To resolve the "There was a problem parsing the package" message, you must allow installation of software from unknown sources. operating system Android may prohibit the specified action based on applicable security requirements. In this case, you can only get new applications from the Google Play store.
This limitation is justified by the fact that installing third-party software from unknown sources can damage the device. If in this case, you try to install the .apk file, a failure will occur. You can correct the error by bypassing the ban.
There is an option in your device's security settings that allows you to allow installation of software from unknown sources. We just need to do a few steps:
- Go to the “Settings” section.
- Select the “Security” item.
- We find the line “Unknown sources”.
- Use the checkbox to unlock the download.
- If the device issues a request, we confirm our decision using the “OK” button.
- We return to the folder in which the .apk file we need is located. Click on it and install the application.
Connection
If you receive a message that there is a problem parsing the package, you can resolve it by using USB debugging. Such a measure cannot be called necessary. However, a number of users claim that this method can fix the problem.
Additional funds
What should you do if there is a problem parsing a package? This can be eliminated in other ways. For example, by disabling the antivirus. It is he who can block the installation. As a result, the described error occurs. Most antivirus programs try to block access to your device for applications that they think may look suspicious or unreliable.
So, we temporarily disable the protection system. We try again to install the .apk file. The error message may disappear. The crash may also occur if the selected .apk file is corrupted.
In such a case, download the application again. Then we install it. The error can be resolved. You should also make sure that the file has been downloaded completely. To do this, we compare the sizes of the downloaded and offered files.
