Root [Verizon] Installing an .apk?

[rimjay]

Good evening,

I wanted to install an .apk on my phone using a file manager such as Astro, but when i go to install it, it always says not downloaded. I tried using other file managers to install it to no avail. What am i doing wrong? Should i flash the .apk? Sounds silly but not sure what to do here.

 

[CafeKampuchia]

Go to Settings / Security and make sure Unknown sources (below Device administration) is checked.

 

[Mikestony]

May I add, just be careful of apps that you do not download from the Play Store or Amazon as some can cause issues on your phone

 

[rimjay]

Go to Settings / Security and make sure Unknown sources (below Device administration) is checked.

Thanks for the response,

I made sure to do that but still no luck. Maybe the .apk file is bad?

 

[Mikestony]

Is it compatible with your device? What is the app you are trying to install and where did it come from?

 

[rimjay]

Is it compatible with your device? What is the app you are trying to install and where did it come from?

It was a keyboard apk. I figured out that I have to replace the stock apk with the one im trying to install. Thanks for the help

 

[samsgun357]

Some system apps won't just install like a normal .apk. If that's the case you have to "push to /system/app". You have to be rooted to do this.
1. Open root file app, I use root browser, navigate to the apk you want to install.
2. Long press the apk and either copy or move apk
3. Navigate back to /system/app and paste the apk
4. Long press the apk and fix permissions
*the normal perms for system apps is
rw-rw-r--
5.reboot and enjoy
* if you are installing a new system app for example you want the 4.2.x camera on your 4.1.x ROM, you can and should rename the old one (androidappname).bak. by replacing apk with bak it will keep the file in case you want it back but it removes it as an active application.