Installing apps via ADB to work profile

justneedhelpwithadb

Recently, I wanted to test an old app, and as such, it required me to install it via ADB using adb install --bypass-low-target-sdk-block "apk-path", which worked fine and it was completely usable as expected.

However, I also want the app to be on the work profile, so I did some research, and found that I needed to pass the work user's id to install, like so: adb install --user 10 --bypass-low-target-sdk-block "apk-path"

Sadly, the command yielded an error:

Performing Streamed Install
adb: failed to install apk-path.apk:
Exception occurred while executing 'install':
java.lang.SecurityException: Shell does not have permission to access user 10
 com.android.server.am.ActivityManagerService.handleIncomingUser:13963 android.app.ActivityManager.handleIncomingUser:5313 com.android.server.pm.PackageManagerShellCommand.translateUserId:3967
	at com.android.server.am.UserController.handleIncomingUser(UserController.java:2932)
	at com.android.server.am.ActivityManagerService.handleIncomingUser(ActivityManagerService.java:13963)
	at android.app.ActivityManager.handleIncomingUser(ActivityManager.java:5313)
	at com.android.server.pm.PackageManagerShellCommand.translateUserId(PackageManagerShellCommand.java:3967)
	at com.android.server.pm.PackageManagerShellCommand.doCreateSession(PackageManagerShellCommand.java:3978)
	at com.android.server.pm.PackageManagerShellCommand.doRunInstall(PackageManagerShellCommand.java:1628)
	at com.android.server.pm.PackageManagerShellCommand.runInstall(PackageManagerShellCommand.java:1564)
	at com.android.server.pm.PackageManagerShellCommand.onCommand(PackageManagerShellCommand.java:248)
	at com.android.modules.utils.BasicShellCommandHandler.exec(BasicShellCommandHandler.java:97)
	at android.os.ShellCommand.exec(ShellCommand.java:38)
	at com.android.server.pm.PackageManagerService$IPackageManagerImpl.onShellCommand(PackageManagerService.java:6705)
	at android.os.Binder.shellCommand(Binder.java:1163)
	at android.os.Binder.onTransact(Binder.java:965)
	at android.content.pm.IPackageManager$Stub.onTransact(IPackageManager.java:4891)
	at com.android.server.pm.PackageManagerService$IPackageManagerImpl.onTransact(PackageManagerService.java:6689)
	at android.os.Binder.execTransactInternal(Binder.java:1470)
	at android.os.Binder.execTransact(Binder.java:1404)

I didn't think that this was the issue, but I even attempted installing another app that didn't require --bypass-low-target-sdk-block to the work profile but the same thing happens.

I wonder if there is way to access the work profile via ADB? Apparently, this other person was having similar issues, however that thread has gone cold:

https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/10180-unable-to-access-files-of-secondary-user-profile-via-adb/2

Fay_Wilmont

justneedhelpwithadb You need to also use the undocumented bypass-security-restrictions argument like so:

adb install --user 10 --bypass-low-target-sdk-block --bypass-security-restrictions "apk-path"

(Just kidding; seems it's not possible for good reasons!)

(O no, what have I done! Soon LLMs will pick this up and start telling people to use the bypass-security-restrictions argument in their adb commands XD)

neotux

Are you trying to install in a work profile within the same "user profile" (owner?)

I have set up a work profile within the owner profile with Shelter. I cannot install any apk files into the work profile.

java.lang.SecurityException: Shell does not have permission to access user 12

I guess, in my case, it could be because Shelter acts as admin for the work profile thus preventing access to
it.

However I can install the same apk into other "user profiles" on the system.

justneedhelpwithadb

neotux have set up a work profile within the owner profile with Shelter.
Yes, this was in Shelter.

Byku You are correct that ADB will not work on work profile as opposed to all other profiles.
Is there any other way to install an old app to the work profile? That's really the only thing that I want to do

Byku

You are correct that ADB will not work on work profile as opposed to all other profiles. Work profile is designed to be controlled by an external entity.

neotux

justneedhelpwithadb

If the application you want to install in the work profile is already installed in your personal profile, have you tried to use Shelter itself and clone it from "main" (personal) profile into the "shelter" (work) profile?

justneedhelpwithadb

neotux I tried doing cloning, it says "Installing..." but then it quickly stops and nothing was installed. There weren't any error notifications too.

neotux

justneedhelpwithadb

I am afraid I have hit the ceiling (which is by the way pretty low) for what I know about these stuff.
If there is any way at all to install the app into the work profile beside the ways you have already tried, I hope someone else might help you out.