com.google.android.packageinstaller- Usages and troubleshoot

com.google.android.packageinstaller is another system app or app package on Android devices that helps Android OS to perform installation, uninstallation and update of apps on your Android. Know all about com.google.android.packageinstaller. A detailed overview

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what-is-com.google.android.packageinstaller — what is com.google.android.packageinstaller

What is Google.Android.PackageInstaller?

com.google.android.packageinstaller AKA package installer on Android is an app package responsible for installing new apps on Android devices.

In other words, it’s an analog to ZIP files used by Android OS to down apps on the device that includes the software update as well.

All the APK files are integrated into zip format and before you install the app on Android, it is required to unzip them.

In such com.google.android.packageinstaller comes on the surface that ensures the compressed apk files to properly unzipped and installed.

In addition, it also checks the sources APK files for compatibility, potential malware and other spyware injections.

KNOW MORE: What is KLMS agent? All about Knox Security

What is the Android package installer used for?

Android package installer acts as a daemon app on Android devices and remains unnoticed. The only function of the packages is to assist your Android device to monitor and assist in installing new apps and app updates on the device.

In addition com.google.android.packageinstaller is also used for the installation of an APK file on Android.

It can monitor your device for software and apps in most cases and keeps running in the background.

Package Installer vs Package Manager

So, here comes the question again- ‘What is the difference between a Package Installer and Package Manager?’.

As the name suggests the package installer is used for installing and uninstalling the apps on Android. While the Package manager is used to manage and distribute the app package files.

These are the core functions of an Android device and integrated with the Android OS database itself. They both work together to handle the distribution, installation and uninstallation of any app or APK file on Android.

Here is the detailed explanation between the Package installer and manager.

Location: The package manager is broader than the package installer. It is used to monitor and performs all the task related to apps on Android including the system apps. Meanwhile, the package installer is limited for the installation and uninstallation of the APK files.
Shipping: A package installer is shipped with the computer program. But a package manager is usually shipped with the operating system.
Maintenance: the scope of the package installer’s maintenance is with which it was bundled, but for a package manager, it is, all the packages on the operating system.
Development: A package installer is developed by numerous installer developers, whereas the package manager has only one vendor.

In a nutshell, the Package manager is a bit different from the package installer on the functional level.

The basic task of the Package manager is to analyze the apk files and display all necessary information to the user(confirmation, permission, etc) in the form of a pop-up.

Once the user grants the permission, another java ‘installPackage‘ process is initiated and the package installer starts the installation process on the APK file by uncompressing and storing the files on the required storage location.

How do I stop the package installer?

As you read above the com.google.android.packageinstaller keeps running in the background on your Android and monitors all your app activity.

But, before you get panic and consider uninstalling com.google.android.packageinstaller, let me tell you, it is not possible to uninstall or disable com.google.android.packageinstaller on Android with or without root.

The app is the spine of your Android app and considering it as bloatware is a mistake.

As per safety, it is completely secure and doesn’t contain any spyware or malware. Secondly, it has nothing to do with your media and messages stored on your Android.

Where are APK files stored?

As we all know, not all apps are the same so neither the installation location is the same for all apps. To understand the APK storage location perfectly you need to understand the process of installation on an APK(Android Application Package)file on Android.

There are two types of apps on Android. one is pre-installed, camera, UI and some bloatware are the perfect examples of pre-installed apps.

While other apps are supposed to install from external sources like the Play store and manual APK files.

All the pre-installed apps on Android are stored under /data/app folder on the internal storage on Android.

No matter, what source you are using to install the app on your Android devices, the apps are installed in APK format on Android. All these third-party apps are stored under the /data/data/<package name>/ folder on Android.

Attributes of google.android.packageinstaller

There are a few attributes used to name and identify the packages and files by google.android.packageinstaller on Android. Here are the few major attributes for Com Google Android packageinstaller are as follows.

ft – the hex format timestamp.
it – the hex format timestamp with the first installation.
ut – the hex format timestamp with the last update.
Flags – it stores the information on the flags of apps.
CodePath – it can be defined as the location of the installation of the APK file.
Native Library Path – it is the native library whose default path is /data/data/<package name>/lib/.
SharedUserId – it is the Linux UID that will be shared between different apps.
User Id – it is the ID/name of the Linux user.
Version – it is the code of the version of the file AndroidManifest.xml.

How to fix “There was a problem parsing the package”? Android

How to fix ‘Unfortunately, package installer has stopped” error

improper cache distribution or some technical glitch may cause the packageinstaller to stop working and display the error while installing or uninstalling an app on Android.

In most cases, a simple restart can help you to fix the ‘unfortunately, packageinstaller has stopped’ error on Android. But, if you are still unable to install or uninstall an app on Android, follow the methods below.

To fix package installer error on Android

open Settings on Android
Go to Biometric and security
Find and open Unknown source and toggle it off
Restart the device.

It is suggested to always keep the “unknown sources” toggled off as the setting ensures the safety of your Android by keeping an eye on the installation of external APK files.

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Final Words:

google.android.packageinstaller is an integrated java function on Android devices to assist in the installation and uninstallation of APK files on Android. It acts as an agent to help the Android system to monitor the active installation and updating of apps. You cannot simply disable or remove the google.android.packageinstaller, as it is the essential package file on Android. Don’t forget to check our ABOUT section for other information guides for Android.