Why is there more than one listing of an app under a Tab?

 

AppApp will never overwrite a file, and if there is a duplicate when moving or backing up, then the name of the APK file being moved will have an incremented number appended to the end after an underscore (like "_1").  So, first look close at the information about the duplicate apps and compare versions, package name, and the size.  You may also note that one of them is showing as being installed while another is not, and more than likely, the one with the newer version will be the installed app, and you can go ahead and delete the older one if you wish, by long touching the app in the list and then touching the Delete button(twice).

 

You may also choose Purge Duplicates in the Options Menu which will delete all of the True Duplicates, that is, the ones with all the same info except an incremented file name.

(True Duplicates means the same app listed with the same Versions, the same Size and same Package Name.)

 

 

Why does an app not reinstall after being backed up?

 

APK files that typically do NOT re-install are those that are 1) System apps and 2) Paid apps:

 

1) System Apps.  Apps that were backed up from an original system application, that is from the SYSTEM Tab.  The problem here is that the APK file created from a backed up system applications will insist on installing back as a system file when you choose to reinstall it. Unfortnately you, the user, do not have permission to do this.

 

2) Paid Apps.  If this is an app that was originally purchased from Google Play[TM], or another Apps Market, it is possible that the Market, Device manufacturer, or telecom Carrier made sure that the original APK was encrypted for anti-pirating issues, and thus will be encrypted when you back it up from an installed state.  Thus, this app will be locked from future re-installs except through the original source. This is more true for new versions of Android, say about 4.0, Jelly Bean (API 16) or so.

 

Free apps, such as those found under the USER INSTALLED Tab should be re-installable.

Applications that were backed up from the SECURED Tab, may or may not re-install depending on their free or paid status, and version of Android you are using.

 

The best way to find out if an application is re-installable is to back it up and try to reinstall it.  You can always delete the created APK file if it turns out to be uninstallable.

 

 

What are the files listed as "Bad File Construct"?

 

There are several reasons a file may be listed as "BFC":

 

1) AppApp assumes any file ending with the extension .apk is an Android package file, and if a file that is not an actual Android package file is renamed to have this extension, then the file will be shown in the list but designated as "Bad File Construct."

 

2) An encrypted application has been backed up from a SYSTEM or SECURED Tab listing.  When this is done, the file is stored, but the relevent information is hidden and triggers the BFC label.  These files cannot be reinstalled by design.

 

 

How is that although AppApp does not require internet permission, it still goes to the web, and sends emails?

 

AppApp uses the external web browsing and email applications that you would use separately to perform these tasks.  From within AppApp you will always see when the internet is being used because your browser or email application will pop up.  A permission is needed only if an app requires direct access the internet, and AppApp simply does not need to do that.

 

 

What are those four Green, Yellow or Red circles for?

 

These are Permission Rating Indicators, and are shown under each icon. An indicator consists of a set of four(4) circles representing the potential invasiveness of the app based on the permissions the application asks for.  The indicators can be turned off under Preferences.

From left to right each circle represents a color rating for the permission elements:

 

Personal, Location, Network and System (or simply remembered as  "P L N S")

 

The colors indicate the level of invasiveness from

Green   = Low

Yellow  = Meduim

Red       = High

 

For example, a set of circles showing (from left circle to right circle):

 

 Green - RED - Yellow - Green

 

would represent an app with low Personal and System information gathering invasiveness, with high Location and medium Network invasiveness.

 

More details about AppApps permission rating system can be found under About Permission Ratings in the Options Menu of AppApp on your device, and the latest list of rated permissions can be found on this website here:  Permissions Ratings Key.

 

 

 

What does that blue triangle at the end of some of the Permission Rating Indicators mean?

 

If the app requires the use of a service a blue TRIANGLE is shown to the right of the four circle Permission Rating Indicator.

 

A service is typically a background running activity written by the developer and associated with the app.  They are used to perform certain functions that are not necessary for the user to interact with, but important for the functionality of the application such as network polling and process monitoring.  Services may run only during the time the app is running while others run only for a short time, and some can run indefinitely, regardless if the app is currently being used.  Services do not indicate any particular type of invasiveness, but are worth considering along with the permissions when evaluating an app for potential over reach.

 

 

 

When I try to input my own Backup Directory it does not work.

 

There are several reasons why AppApp fails to create a new Directory:

 

1) The text included other characters than those allowed, which are: Letters, Numbers, -, _ or /.

 

2) Permission (to you) was not allowed by the operating system.  The areas where you can create a new Directory are limited, and can vary depending on the OS version and carrier company. Using one of the "Suggested Directories" should always give a permissabe path, and indicate hints of where you have access when attempting to create your own Backup Directory.

 

 

 

Some actions performed on AppApp seem to take a long time...

 

We decided that there would be minimal permissions and no background services within AppApp so that the user would have confidence the app is not intrusive and would have as little foot-print as possible on the active resources of your device.  Therefore there is no background activity for indexing your apps when the app is not in use.

 

We also want to make sure the app listings are up-to-date as possible while you are using AppApp.  The trade-off is that there will be some activities that take extra time to accomplish, such as the initial Loading of the app lists at startup and Refreshing of lists after some function has been performed, such as an app Backup. Consolidating Stored Apps and Backing Up Installed Apps can take time as well, in particular if there are many apps to move. You should expect about a second per app for these processes to finish.

 

To make this a better user experience, we have included these time saving User Preferences:

 

- You may choose to NOT load the SYSTEM apps. 

 

- You may choose to NOT automatically Refresh.

 

Another time saving trick:

(This one actually applies to most Android apps.)

Keep in mind that using the Back Button to exit the app will completely terminate AppApp, and thus will require a Full Refresh the next time it is started. By using any other method to leave AppApp (such as the HOME button) places it into a saved background state until you come back and typically, it WILL NOT need an initial refresh.  (The Android operating system may terminate background paused apps regardless, if the device program memory or battery level get too low.)

 

 

What email address can I use to contact the developers of AppApp to relay some constructive criticism or kudos for a job well done?

 

 

Our email address is:  Info@AppAppInfo.com

 

And since you are on our website, you can easily leave us a note on the Contact Us page.

 

If you are reporting a bug or concern about the behavior of this application please include the version of operating system and type of device to assist us in our diagnosis and solution.