How to Fix Parse Error in Android?

Fix Parse Error in Android – A parse error is an error message you sometimes get on Android devices when an app fails to install. The message itself is not very specific, and there are a lot of smartphone problems that can cause it.

Causes Of Parse Android Error?

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’

1. The app is not compatible with your device.
2. The .apk file you are trying to install is corrupted or damaged.
3. Your security app might be blocking the installation of the app.
4. Permission to install the third-party app from an unknown source is disabled.
5. Sometimes, certain cleaning & antivirus apps are responsible
6. There might be some internal issues with your smartphone.

How to Fix Parse Error in Android?

Clear Caches Of Google Play Store

This is one of the simplest yet most effective workarounds to fix parse errors 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.

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 it’s probably 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.

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.

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 this kind of issue, 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. In case you are still witnessing the Parse error, it is better to move to the next method shown below.

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.

1. To enable USB Debugging firstly, you will need to get into the Developer mode on your Android phone.
2. 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”.
3. No go back to Settings again & locate Developer Options. From the list, find ‘USB Debugging’ & toggle it on.
4. You might be asked to allow USB debugging, tap OK to proceed.
5. Now try to install the application which was previously giving you the Parse Error.

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.

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’s error on Android.

To disable the security app on Android, head towards Settings > Search for security solution running on your Android & tap on the Force Stop button.

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.

Check for Compatibility and 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 the compatibility factor.

Therefore, if you are installing the .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 errors on Android quickly.

Reset your Android to Factory Settings

Well, this is your last resort to resolve Parse Error: There Was A Problem Parsing The Package. 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.

Also Read: How to Fix Server Connection Lost Tarkov?