adb install is the fastest way to put an app on an Android phone from a PC: no Play Store, no copying files, no tapping through installers. This guide covers the basic command, the flags you'll actually use, installing on every connected phone at once, and how to fix the common INSTALL_FAILED errors.
adb install app.apk. To update an installed app and keep its data: adb install -r app.apk.Install an APK with ADB
- Turn on USB debugging on the phone (Settings → About phone → tap Build number 7 times → Developer options).
- Connect it to the PC and accept the "Allow USB debugging?" prompt.
- Check it's connected, then install:
adb devices
adb install "C:\Downloads\app.apk"
Performing Streamed Install
SuccessIf more than one phone is connected, add the serial: adb -s R58M42ABCDE install app.apk.
Useful adb install flags
| Flag | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
-r | Replace an existing app, keeping its data | Updating an app |
-d | Allow a lower version code (downgrade) | Rolling back a build (debuggable apps) |
-g | Grant all runtime permissions listed in the manifest | Test devices, to skip permission prompts |
-t | Allow test-only APKs | APKs built with testOnly |
install-multiple | Install several split APKs as one app | Apps delivered as split APKs |
Install on every connected phone
Windows CMD (install-all.bat)
@echo off
rem Usage: install-all.bat C:\builds\app.apk
for /f "skip=1 tokens=1,2" %%a in ('adb devices') do (
if "%%b"=="device" (
echo Installing on %%a...
adb -s %%a install -r "%~1"
)
)PowerShell 7, in parallel
$apk = "C:\builds\app.apk"
adb devices | Select-String "\tdevice$" | ForEach-Object { ($_ -split "\t")[0] } |
ForEach-Object -Parallel {
$r = adb -s $_ install -r $using:apk
"$_ : $r"
} -ThrottleLimit 8Parallel installs are much faster on 10+ phones. More bulk commands are in ADB commands for multiple devices.
Common errors and fixes
| Error | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
INSTALL_FAILED_UPDATE_INCOMPATIBLE | Installed app has a different signature | adb uninstall com.example.app, then install (deletes the app's data) |
INSTALL_FAILED_VERSION_DOWNGRADE | APK is older than the installed version | Use -d (debuggable apps) or uninstall first |
INSTALL_FAILED_ALREADY_EXISTS | App already installed | Add -r |
INSTALL_FAILED_INSUFFICIENT_STORAGE | Not enough free space | Free up storage on the phone |
INSTALL_FAILED_OLDER_SDK | App needs a newer Android version | Use a newer phone or a build with a lower minSdk |
INSTALL_FAILED_NO_MATCHING_ABIS | APK built for a different CPU (e.g. x86 vs ARM) | Use the APK for the phone's architecture |
INSTALL_PARSE_FAILED_NO_CERTIFICATES | APK isn't signed | Sign the APK (debug or release key) |
INSTALL_FAILED_USER_RESTRICTED | Phone blocks USB installs (common on Xiaomi) | Turn on "Install via USB" in Developer options |
more than one device/emulator | Several phones connected | Add -s SERIAL |
Split APKs, .apks and .xapk files
Many Play Store apps are delivered as several APK files (a base plus splits for language, screen density and CPU). Install them together:
adb install-multiple base.apk split_config.arm64_v8a.apk split_config.en.apk split_config.xxhdpi.apk.apks and .xapk files are archives of these splits: unzip them and use install-multiple, or use Google's bundletool for .apks.
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How do I install an APK with ADB?
Connect the phone with USB debugging on and run adb install path\to\app.apk. Use adb install -r to update an app that is already installed while keeping its data.
How do I install an APK on multiple devices at once?
Loop over the serial numbers from adb devices and run adb -s SERIAL install -r app.apk for each one. In PowerShell 7, ForEach-Object -Parallel installs on several phones at the same time.
How do I fix INSTALL_FAILED_UPDATE_INCOMPATIBLE?
The installed app is signed with a different key than the new APK. Uninstall the old app first with adb uninstall PACKAGE_NAME (this deletes its data), then install again.
How do I install split APKs or an .apks file?
Extract the APK files and install them together with adb install-multiple base.apk split_config.arm64_v8a.apk split_config.en.apk, or use Google's bundletool for .apks archives.