Install unknown apps all disabled / greyed out (2025)

Hi guys

I'm having an issue with my Samsung Galaxy Note fan edition. I tried downloading an APK file and when I click to install it, a screen pops saying I need to uncheck the "allow install unknown apps". The problem is its disabled and there is no way I can move it to enable. I have attached the pictures. Its really annoying I have tried everything from factory reset to disabling any light app to restarting the phone nothing seems to work! I even tried downloading a new file explorer app as someone mentioned to try that and still no result.

I came across many users who had this issue and below are some links that are related to my issue but I still cant figure it out. What is strange is if you look at the picture I have attached, there is a whole bunch of other sources which are all disabled such as Chrome, Drive, Facebook, Gmail etc and there is no way I can enable them to download from these sources.

In the link below, the user said to disable blue light filter as it was interfering with the touch response...I tried this and it doesnt work. But I do believe this could be the issue because I can toggle and click everything else except for the "Enable" push button. I dont remember downloading any screen or light filter hence Im not sure what could be the issue.

https://forums.androidcentral.com/s...-help-cannot-install-3rd-party-apps-apks.html

Would really appreciate it if someone could help because at the moment there is no chance of me downloading any app that isnt available on play store

Thank you

Welcome to Android Central! See if there are any other apps causing a screen overlay: https://www.howtogeek.com/271519/how-to-fix-the-screen-overlay-detected-error-on-android/. Uninstall them one by one to see if it helps.

Also, check your security settings to see if anything might be blocking this. I'm not sure if Knox plays around with this kind of stuff, but if you have a 3rd party security app installed, check there as well.

Hi Diddy!

Thanks for the reply. It worked! It was a security settings issue. Steps below is what I did to solve this issue and I have also attached the screenshots

1. Go to settings
2. Click "biometrics and security"
3. Click "other security settings"
4. Under Device Admin, click "device Admin apps"
5. Deactivate all device Administrator apps. Now you will be able to enable 3rd party apps installation. Once the installation is completed, activate admin apps again

Cheers

jasgill17 said:

Hi Diddy!

Thanks for the reply. It worked! It was a security settings issue. Steps below is what I did to solve this issue and I have also attached the screenshots

1. Go to settings
2. Click "biometrics and security"
3. Click "other security settings"
4. Under Device Admin, click "device Admin apps"
5. Deactivate all device Administrator apps. Now you will be able to enable 3rd party apps installation. Once the installation is completed, activate admin apps again

Cheers

Click to expand...

Mine are not like you i have 4 apps 1:find my device 2:Firmware recovery 3:KC Client and 4:Knox Enrollment Service.Only find my device that i can activate/deactivate but the rest i can't

Shz3885 said:

Mine are not like you i have 4 apps 1:find my device 2:Firmware recovery 3:KC Client and 4:Knox Enrollment Service.Only find my device that i can activate/deactivate but the rest i can't

Click to expand...

I'm same problem with u
Do u find the solution?

jasgill17 said:

Hi Diddy!

Thanks for the reply. It worked! It was a security settings issue. Steps below is what I did to solve this issue and I have also attached the screenshots

1. Go to settings
2. Click "biometrics and security"
3. Click "other security settings"
4. Under Device Admin, click "device Admin apps"
5. Deactivate all device Administrator apps. Now you will be able to enable 3rd party apps installation. Once the installation is completed, activate admin apps again

Cheers

Click to expand...

I tried that there are no active admin apps and I still can't enable install from unknown sources

Can anyone help?

kingmir 2125 said:

Can anyone help?

Click to expand...

Welcome to AC!
Which device you have?

Try this. Go to settings->apps->3 dot menu->reset app preferences. Then disable any admin apps. Maybe restart phone after and see if you can enable the setting. Remember to enable at least find my phone again.

https://youtu.be/3VKErXit-QE

I also have the same issue who could help me

B. Diddy said:

Great, and thanks for posting such a detailed and well-organized solution!

Click to expand...

claire said:

I also have the same issue who could help me

Click to expand...

Welcome to Android Central! You're posting in a 5 year old thread, so it's important to know what the exact make and model number of your phone is, and what version of Android it's running. And just to be clear, are you saying that you want to install apps from unknown sources, but are unable to find the correct setting to allow that?

B. Diddy said:

Welcome to Android Central! You're posting in a 5 year old thread, so it's important to know what the exact make and model number of your phone is, and what version of Android it's running. And just to be clear, are you saying that you want to install apps from unknown sources, but are unable to find the correct setting to allow that?

Click to expand...

Yes I can't install apps because they are disabled

You mean the ability to install apps from unknown sources is disabled?

I also asked what the exact make and model of your phone is, and what version of Android it's running.

B. Diddy said:

You mean the ability to install apps from unknown sources is disabled?

I also asked what the exact make and model of your phone is, and what version of Android it's running.

Click to expand...

I have a motorola g 5g 2022 version 12 and i disabled my admin apps (find my phone) and the options to install unknown apps are still greyed out. i tried a few things i saw on the internet and none of them worked. i called the phone company and they said that its not allowed and wouldnt tell me how to fix it. is there anyone who knows how i can install apks without this or how to fix this?

tkmikeyy said:

I have a motorola g 5g 2022 version 12 and i disabled my admin apps (find my phone) and the options to install unknown apps are still greyed out. i tried a few things i saw on the internet and none of them worked. i called the phone company and they said that its not allowed and wouldnt tell me how to fix it. is there anyone who knows how i can install apks without this or how to fix this?

Click to expand...

Welcome to Android Central! Find My Phone wouldn't have any impact on your ability to install apps from unknown sources.

Is the phone managed by your workplace? Or did you add a work account to the phone?

What phone company did you contact -- your mobile service provider, or Moto, or someone else? They typically wouldn't have any insight into this kind of thing, so it's odd that they would say it's "not allowed."