unsigned APK can not be installed

Question

I am trying to distribute my application to some people for testing. I have installed it on my Desire directly from eclipse and it works fine.

To create an APK-file, I choose "Export Unsigned Application Package" directly from eclipse, and then an APK file was created. I emailed it to myself and downloaded the file to the SD-card. But when I try to install it (using ES File Browser), I get a message saying "Application not installed".

(I have already checked the "Allow installation of non-Market application" on my phone) Any ideas?

Yeah I found the problem, see my answer below:

I did not know that even with the "Allow Installation of non-Marked application", I still needed to sign the application. I self-signed my application, following this link self-sign and release application, It only took 5 minutes, then I emailed the signed-APK file to myself and downloaded it to SD-card and then installed it without any problem.

Answer 1

I did not know that even with the "Allow Installation of non-Marked application", I still needed to sign the application.

I self-signed my application, following this link self-sign and release application, It only took 5 minutes, then I emailed the signed-APK file to myself and downloaded it to SD-card and then installed it without any problem.

Answer 2

You cannot install an unsigned application on a phone. You can only use it to test with an emulator. If you still want to go ahead, you can try self-signing the application.

Also, since you are installing the application from an SD card, I hope you have the necessary permissions set. Do go through stackoverflow.com and look at questions regarding installation of applications from an SD card - there have been many and they have been asked before.

Hope that helps.