Got an app that's installed on an old device and refuses to install on a new one (e.g. it was discontinued)? As of November 2025:

* On your old device:
* Install an APK exporter (such as https://f-droid.org/en/packages/axp.tool.apkextractor/)
* Copy the APK off the device
* On your new device
* Copy the APK into storage
* Install APK Explorer & Editor (https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.apk.editor/)
* Open the app and click "APK's[sic]" at the bottom
* Click "Select from storage" and select the file
* Click the compass symbol next to the tabs at the top
* Select "Simple Decompile (faster)"
* Click the folder symbol at the bottom
* Click AndroidManifest.xml
* Click `android:minSdkVersion` and `android:targetSdkVersion` and set them to 29
* Click "Save"
* Click the hammer at the top-right (yes, it's clickable!)
* Click "Build"
* It should give a green tick. Click "Install"
* If you're prompted about "Harmful app blocked", expand the "More Details" expander and click "Install anyway"
* Don't send the app to Google (or do, so that they can see that it's fine - but as you're the only one installing it then it's kinda pointless!)
* Wait for installation to complete

Note: This is ONLY safe because you copied the APK from your old device. Otherwise, pay attention to the harmful app warnings!

#Android #APK #SystemUpgrade #LegacyApps #LegacySoftware #MakeDoAndMend #Hacks #Workaround #FDroid