Solved! How to reinstall system app

[TrillSama]

I moved Google play games to my SD card a some point and that specific SD card got lost. So now when I try to install Google play games it says it's out of storage which isn't the case cause I have 20GB free. I checked the app an it's on SD card section of application manager and its app size is 0.0B, how do I reinstall it?

 

[webworkings]

Did you first try uninstalling it? You have to get it removed from the system before you can re-add it.

This is one of the reasons moving apps to a SD card can be problematic.

Actually I am a bit surprised it let you move it. That particular app is not meant to be moved off the device. Unless you rooted the phone, which that creates a whole other host of issues.

If you can't remove the listing in your settings (uninstall) it, then you are likely going to have to do a "Hard Reset" of the phone. However this can only be done if the phone was not rooted. If it was, then it will have to be unrooted first.

This will require you save any personal stuff off the phone first. Files, pictures, music, contacts, etc. Except apps, you can't save those. However, for some, you can save data files and then put them back after all the changes have been done.

If the phone was indeed rooted, then you will need this info first. Then use the "Hard Reset" info below. If not rooted, then just use the "Hard Reset" info.

But, be sure you try the options above first.

I know of two apps that should be able to help with unrooting a device. Others may know of more or other ways, as I am really not a fan of rooting, so not my expertise. The two apps, which should be able to be found at the Google Play Store are "SuperSU" and "ES File Explorer". I think "SuperSU" is free but I don't know about "ES File Explorer".

How to unroot Android: Using SuperSU

1. Download, from the Google Play Store, and install "SuperSU".
2. Launch the app and go to “Settings”.
3. Scroll down and locate, and tap, “Full unroot”.
4. It will ask you to confirm that you really want to unroot your device. To start, tap continue.
5. When it is done, the app will automatically close and then restart your device.
6. When it is done, and the device restarts, it should be fully unrooted.
7. Uninstall "SuperSU" and you are done.

How to unroot Android: Using ES File Explorer

1. Download, from the Google Play Store, and install "ES File Explorer".
2. Launch the app and tap "Menu".
3. Scroll to locate “Tools”. Tap that and then turn on “Root Explorer”.
4. Now you will have to grant it "root privileges", if prompted.
5. Go back to your home screen and then navigate to your device’s root folder. It should found as “/” in explorer.
6. From root, navigate to “system” and then “bin”.
7. Find, and delete, the “busybox” and “su”. If you can’t find them, move on to step eight.
8. Navigate back to “/” and open the “app” folder.
9. Delete superuser.apk.
10. Restart your Android device. Your device should reboot unrooted.

How to "Hard Reset"...

NOTE: Doing this will clear 'all' the data on your phone, so it is suggested you not choose this option unless you have to, or aren't worried about losing anything on the device.

Be sure you back up any data you want to keep, to a computer or cloud account, before doing the reset.

To "Hard Reset" the phone...

1. Make sure that the phone is actually powered off.

2. Remove your SD card, if there is one in the device.

3. Press the "Power" and the "Volume Up" buttons, together, until you see the start-up logo on the screen.

4. Once you can see the logo, release the buttons and allow the device to enter the "System Recovery Mode".

5. Next use "Volume Down" button to get to the "wipe data/factory reset" option.

6. When in recovery mode the "Volume Up" and "Volume Down" buttons are how to can navigate and highlight what option you need.

7. Once you have selected the "wipe data/factory reset", press the "Power" button to select that option.

8. On the following screen, repeatedly press the "Volume Down" button until the "Yes - delete all user data" option is what is selected.

9. Then press the "Power" button to hard reset the phone.

10. If you took your SD card out in step 2, when the device is up and running again, reinsert the SD card.