“Parse Error: There was a problem parsing the package” is one of the oldest yet most common Android errors. It usually pops up when someone fails to install an application on an Android smartphone. Witnessing the Android error simply means the application cannot be installed due to the .apk parser, i.e. parsing issue. Most of the time, the Android error occurs while installing the app from a third-party source rather than Google Play Store. So, let’s find out what is parse error in this blog and then try to resolve the issue.
If you’ve received a parse error & still want to install the app, you will first have to identify the issue & fix the “Parse Error: There was a problem parsing the package”.
Let’s See What Are The Root Causes Of Parse Android Error?
Parsing error meansthe compiling error caused by the conflict in the read and write for an application on Android. There are several reasons why Parse Error occurs while installing an application. So, let’s look at a few reasons behind facing ‘there was a problem parsing the package’
- The app is not compatible with your device.
- The .apk file you are trying to install is corrupted or damaged.
- Your security app might be blocking the installation of the app.
- Permission to install the third-party app from the unknown source is disabled.
- Sometimes, certain cleaning & antivirus apps are responsible
- There might be some internal issues with your smartphone.
Now that you know all the possible reasons behind facing parse error. It’s time to know the solutions for the same. So, let’s check out some effective ways to resolve Parse Error: There Was A Problem Parsing The Package.
How to Fix Parse Error Android
Below are some methods that you can try to fix “There Was A Problem Parsing The Package” on Android.
METHOD 1- Clear Caches Of Google Play Store
This is one of the simplest yet effective workarounds to fix parse error on Android. Clearing Play Store caches help users to delete all the clogged up useless data. So, try clearing caches of Google Play Store & see if it does wonders.
To clear caches of Play Store, launch Google Play Store > Settings > Clear local search history. Now try to install the application which was giving you the Parse Error: There Was A Problem Parsing The Package. Hopefully, it gets resolved now!
METHOD 2- Update Android to the latest version
If you are using an Android phone which has an old OS version, i.e. 4.0 or below, then probably it’s time to update your operating system to the latest version. Doing so will help you install & enjoy Android apps which are designed with lots of advancements & are compatible with the latest versions. This will help you to resolve parse error in Android.
To update your Android OS version, go to Settings > About Phone > Check for Updates > If the latest update is available for your device, it will appear in front of you & you can tap the Update button to fix it.
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METHOD 3- Enable the permission to install an app from an unknown source
For security reasons, Android doesn’t allow users to install applications from unknown sources. So, if you are trying to download a .apk file from other sources apart from Google Play Store, then you may witness the Android Parse Error. To fix such issues, you need to give permissions to allow apps to get installed from unknown sources.
To enable it, just go to Settings and search for ‘Unknown Sources’ and toggle on to enable it. This will let your app get installed on your Android device. In case you are still witnessing the Parse error, it is better to move to the next method shown below.
METHOD 4- Disable the security application if installed any
Most of the Android security applications block the installation of applications that are installed from unknown sources & not from the Play Store, which further results in Parse Error. But if you think the file you are trying to download is safe, then you can try disabling the security app temporarily to fix Parse error on Android.
To disable the security app on Android, head towards Settings > Search for security solution running on your Android & tap on Force Stop button.
METHOD 5- Enable USB Debugging option
Several users have reported that enabling debugging options on Android certainly helped them to fix Parse Error: There Was A Problem Parsing The Package.
To enable USB Debugging firstly, you will need to get into the Developer mode on your Android phone. So, head towards the Settings of your device and tap on ‘About Phone”, from there, find ‘Build Number’ and tap on it at least 7 times, you’ll see a pop-up saying “You are now a developer”. No go back to Settings again & locate Developer Options. From the list, find ‘USB Debugging’ & toggle it on. You might be asked to allow USB debugging, tap OK to proceed. Now try to install the application which was previously giving you the Parse Error.
METHOD 6- Check the Manifest file of your app
This solution is only applicable for users who keep trying to mess with the app manifest file, to make modifications to it. So, in case you’ve made some alterations with the .xml file, try restoring it to its default state to fix the “Parse Error: There Was A Problem Parsing The Package”.
To fix it, if you have made changes to the name of the .apk file, then rename it to its original name, this will help to come out of this issue.
METHOD 7- Delete the partial downloaded or corrupted .apk file
If the .apk file of the app is not downloaded correctly then, you will not be able to install the app & witness the parsing error. Also, if the .apk file turns out to be corrupted due to any technical reasons, then this will also fail the installation, and you may see the Parse Error.
To fix the Android error, you are required to delete the partial downloaded or corrupted files and then reinstall the application the usual way.
Must-Read: How To Fox ‘Download Pending’ Error On Google Play Store?
METHOD 8- Check for the compatibility, install the latest version of the app
If you are still getting Parse Error: There Was A Problem Parsing The Package, even after trying multiple methods, then chances are it’s happening due to compatibility issues. If the app you are trying to install is not compatible with your device either due to running an older OS version or the app is far older than its current release, then it comes under compatibility factor.
Therefore, if you are installing, .apk file of your app, which is older than the current version, then you should download and install the app from trusted sources. You will surely be able to come off the loop & fix parse error on Android quickly.
METHOD 9- Reset your Android to Factory Settings
Well, this is your last resort to resolve Parse Error: There Was A Problem Parsing The Package. But before doing so, make sure you backup all your data, because this will delete all your multimedia files, contacts, and other data and all your devices would be reset to default.
To Factory Reset your Android, go to Settings > System > Advanced options > Reset > Factory Reset. The path to reset your Android to Factory settings can differ from device to device. Hope you were able to fix the parse error on Android after this.
Were You Able To Resolve The Parse Error?
All the workarounds are easy to implement & doesn’t require any in-depth technical know-how. Just walkthrough the methods one by one, you might not realize which potential solution can help you fix parse error on Android.
We hope this article will help you learn about what is parse error, and how to resolve it. We would like to know your views on this post to make it more useful. Your suggestions and comments are welcome in the comment section below. Share the information with your friends and others by sharing the article on social media.
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Frequently asked questions –
Q1. What is the parsing problem in Android?
Parse error means the error caused when the parsing of a PHP code is interfered with. This can pop up on your Android device while trying to launch or download an application. It means that the file is not readable and thus not useful on your Android device. So we hope this answers your question ‘what is a parse error?’
Q2. How do I fix parsing the package error?
To resolve Parse error in Android you need to follow the methods shown in the blog. The installation error on your Android device may be due to outdated software, denied permissions, or corrupted downloads. Go through the steps and check all of them and try downloading and installing the file again.
Q3. Why is there a problem while parsing the package?
The problem occurs when a file is not completely downloaded, corrupted, broken, incompatible, or denied permissions on the device.
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