Cannot install any APK file due to "Out of Space" misleading error (plenty of space)
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I know there are tons of questions about this, but I have tried many possible solutions to no avail. I believe the "Out of space" error is misleading...
I have a problem: **I cannot install any .apk file** no matter what I try... I can install apps using **Play Store** though.
When I tap on an APK file in any file explorer, Android Package Installer launches. I tap the INSTALL button but I always got the following error:
> Out of space {AnyAPKApp} couldn't be installed. Free up some space and
> try again.
I have *plenty* of space, but even a tiny 248 KB APK won't install with the same argument...
This is the only problem I have with the ROM and it is very frustrating...
First, the details of my case:
- *Device:* Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime+ SM-G532M, alias Galaxy J2 Prime (Xtreme detects my device as *Model Number:* SM-G950F)
- *Android:* 6.0.1
- *ROM:* Xtreme Ultimate V6.0 (15.07.2018)
- *TWRP:* 3.0.2-0
- *Magisk:* v17.1
- *Magisk Manager:* 6.0.1 (151)
- *Storage:* Adoptable
- *Internal storage:* 7.02 GB used of 8.00 GB
- *SD card:* 9.09 GB used of 14.70 GB
- *Root Essentials "View storage used":* 9759/15787 MB (62%)
- *DiskUsage analysis:* /system = 2.94 GiB; Free space 1.61 GiB
I've already done my homework and tried all of the following to no avail:
1. Move all movable apps to SD
2. Enable Adoptable storage
3. Wipe *Dalvik / ART Cache* and *Cache* partitions with TWRP
4. Full clean with *SD Maid PRO*
5. Force move apps to SD using *SD Maid PRO*
6. Uninstall *Google Play Services* and *Google Play Store* updates
7. Overcome *unauthorized device* issue while using ADB
8. Trying to install APK using ADB (e.g. adb install someApp.apk). I got:
df output" class="img-fluid rounded" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto; margin: 10px 0;" loading="lazy">
12. Using
Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_INSUFFICIENT_STORAGE]
9. Delete /data/log
contents as suggested here
10. Attempt to install in Safe Mode
11. Using Termux and the df
command, I got the following output and there is free space in each partition: 
pm install test.apk
in a terminal emulator (*Termux*) I got [INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_URI]
. Using full path pm install /storage/emulated/0/Download/test.apk
I got the same error: Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_INSUFFICIENT_STORAGE]
The problem still remains. I think this is not really related to the full storage device error, I have plenty and the error seems misleading. It has to be something else...
I gave as much info as I thought it was useful. If more is needed, just tell me to share it.
I hope you can give me some advice to try to overcome this annoying issue.
*P.S. I'll add more attempts to my list as I try them.*
Asked by Metafaniel
(121 rep)
Dec 27, 2018, 04:33 PM
Last activity: Mar 8, 2025, 12:04 PM
Last activity: Mar 8, 2025, 12:04 PM