Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_ALREADY_EXISTS] when I tried to update my application

Question

when I tried to update my applcation with new version that has same signature as previous one, shows above error.

What I am missing?

Answer 1

If you install the application on your device via adb install you should look for the reinstall option which should be -r. So if you do adb install -r you should be able to install without uninstalling before.

Answer 2

You are getting that error because an application with a package name same as your application already exists. If you are sure that you have not installed the same application before, change the package name and try.

Else wise, here is what you can do:

1. Uninstall the application from the device: Go to Settings -> Manage Applications and choose Uninstall OR
2. Uninstall the app using adb command line interface: type adb uninstall After you are done with this step, try installing the application again.

Answer 3

To Install

adb install -r exampleApp.apk

(The -r makes it replace the existing copy, add an -s if installing on an emulator)

Make sure the app is signed the same and is the same debug/release variant

Bonus

I set up an alias in my ~/.bash_profile, to make it a 2char command.

alias bi="gradlew && adb install -r exampleApp.apk"

(Short for Build and Install)