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Install with Options

0.9.2guideapp

Simple-ish app using Shizuku to install APKs on-device with advanced options

★3,318 stars
•System Utilities•by zacharee•MIT•Updated Mar 14, 2026
Platforms:
✓ Shizuku✓ Rootless✓ Magisk✓ KernelSU✓ APatch
Download 0.9.2Starting download...GitHub Source
InstallWithOptions_0.9.2-release.apk

Overview

Starting with Android 14, Google significantly restricted what applications users can sideload onto their devices. The operating system now blocks the installation of applications targeting older Android API levels (to prevent malicious software from evading modern runtime permissions), rejects developer test builds (android:testOnly="true"), and restricts installation parameters.

Traditionally, circumventing these limitations required connecting the phone to a desktop computer with ADB and running command-line instructions:

adb install --bypass-low-target-sdk-block -t app.apk

Install with Options, created by prolific Android developer zacharee (Zachary Wander), solves this limitation by bringing desktop-grade pm install capability directly onto the device. By interfacing with Shizuku, the application gains shell-level package installation authority, allowing users to customize installation flags on the fly.

Technical Architecture & Installation Flags

When an APK or split bundle is opened in Install with Options, the application passes parameters directly to PackageInstaller.SessionParams via Shizuku’s privileged shell IPC:

  • Install with Options UI: User selects an APK or split bundle (.apks, .xapk) and configures targeted installation flags (e.g. Bypass Low SDK, Allow Test, Request Downgrade).
  • Shizuku Service: Dispatches the session parameters utilizing privileged shell IPC (android.permission.INSTALL_PACKAGES under UID 2000).
  • Android PackageInstaller Session: Executes installation applying selected flags:
    • --bypass-low-target-sdk-block (installs legacy apps targeting Android 5.1 and below on Android 14+)
    • -t (INSTALL_ALLOW_TEST - allows test-only packages)
    • -d (INSTALL_REQUEST_DOWNGRADE - allows lower version codes)
    • --dont-kill (preserves existing running process during updates)

Core Capabilities & Features

1. Bypass Android 14+ Low Target SDK Block

Modern devices reject retro games, abandoned utilities, and classic tools compiled for Android 5.1 or older. Install with Options automatically passes --bypass-low-target-sdk-block, enabling seamless installation of legacy applications on Android 14 and Android 15.

2. Test-Only Build Installation (-t)

Android Studio compiles debug builds with android:testOnly="true" by default. Standard Android PackageInstaller will throw INSTALL_FAILED_TEST_ONLY. Install with Options intercepts the file and installs it without requiring APK re-signing or decompilation.

3. Native Split APK / App Bundle Support

Many modern applications distribute multiple split APKs (base APK + language configs + DPI screen assets). Install with Options opens .apks, .xapk, and raw multi-APK selections, streams them into a single atomic installation session, and installs them cleanly.

Usage Guide

  1. Install and activate Shizuku on your device.
  2. Sideload and launch Install with Options.
  3. Grant Shizuku permissions when prompted.
  4. Tap Select File and pick the .apk, .apks, or .xapk archive.
  5. Review the installation options dialog:
    • Toggle Bypass Low Target SDK Block if installing legacy apps on Android 14+.
    • Toggle Allow Test-Only if installing development test APKs.
    • Toggle Allow Downgrade if attempting a rollback.
  6. Tap Install to commit the package.

Troubleshooting Common Errors

INSTALL_FAILED_NO_MATCHING_ABIS

  • Cause: The application includes native libraries compiled for an unsupported architecture (e.g., 32-bit ARM on 64-bit-only hardware like Pixel 7/8/9).
  • Resolution: This is a physical hardware CPU limitation. You must locate a 64-bit (arm64-v8a) version of the package.

INSTALL_FAILED_UPDATE_INCOMPATIBLE

  • Cause: The package’s signing certificate does not match the certificate of the app already installed on device.
  • Resolution: Install with Options cannot forge cryptographic signatures. Enable CorePatch in LSPosed to bypass signature verification checks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Android 14 block older apps from being installed by default?

Starting with Android 14, Google's PackageManagerService enforces a minimum targetSdkVersion of 23 (Android 6.0 Marshmallow) to prevent legacy malware from bypassing modern runtime permission models. Sideloading such apps via standard Android package installers fails with INSTALL_FAILED_DEPRECATED_SDK_VERSION. Install with Options resolves this by appending the --bypass-low-target-sdk-block flag via Shizuku shell execution.

Can Install with Options bypass APK signature conflicts?

No. Install with Options controls installation flags (test-only, downgrade, target SDK), but does not hook system memory. To install an update signed with a different certificate without uninstalling the original app, you must install and enable the CorePatch Xposed module.

Why do some older apps fail with INSTALL_FAILED_NO_MATCHING_ABIS?

Modern SoCs (e.g. Google Tensor G3/G4, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) have completely dropped hardware ARM32 (armeabi-v7a) support and run in 64-bit-only mode. If an older app only includes 32-bit native libraries, the hardware cannot execute them, and installation fails regardless of installation flags.