Insufficient Storage to Update apps

[timhewison]

Since updating my (unbranded) Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S (LT18i) to ICS (v4.0.4), build number 4.1.B.0.587, I have had problems updating many of my apps.

I've got lots of space on my phone's memory (42MB) and the SD card (1.06GB).

The notification area regularly tells me lots of updates are available - some get updated automatically - most don't. In particular:

• Google Drive
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Maps
• Where's My Water? Free

PlayStore will download the app, but then try to install and I get the message "Insufficient storage available" [OK] - no it's not!

It seems particularly problematic when trying to update apps which are larger than 6.1MB.

I've read lots of posts in the forums and other random internet pages, and have tried the following:

• Clear the apps' caches
• Uninstall apps I don't use much
• Turning off and on again
• Moving everything to SD card that I possibly can

None have worked.

I have not tried - and do not want to try

• 8 "simple steps", which looks very dubious to me, as I haven't got a clue what it does or why
• Rooting my phone
• Sending it back to Sony - although I will before the end of warranty period unless I get a resolution

I see lots of other people have this problem, but have seen no satisfactory answer yet.

[Uliwooly]

why don't you move your apps to your SD card? also you could root your phone, partition  your SD card and then use links2sd to increase your internal storage for apps

Don't forget to mark the Correct Answers & Helpful Answers

unrelated topic, if you have some time please check this thread

http://talk.sonymobile.com/message/244522#244522

[zhur9]

Hi, try delete all files in application installer. I dont know if you have this application installed or not. I have it originally installed and  Its work for me. no need to download application like history eraser or else.

Visit the link to know how to fix this problem http://ibn-yusoff.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-simple-step-to-fix-insufficient.html

[timhewison]

Thanks for the ideas, but as I said:

I have already tried "Moving everything to SD card that I possibly can".

I do not want to try "rooting my phone."     

[timhewison]

Thanks for the interesting suggestion - not one I'd seen before.

So I had a look, but there was no "Application Installer" pre-installed on my phone.

I downloaded an app with that name from the PlayStore, but it didn't have the same functionality.

Could you maybe point me to the correct app?

Cheers

Tim

[Trevor868]

I would uninstall all updates for FB & Google apps.. FB app is mostly crap anyways.

also theres a sneaky app called Google Play Services keeps popping up even after I uninstalled 3 times so look for it too.

[zhur9]

I'm not sure whether the application available or not on the android store, because these application already  installed on my phone since i bought it and before update to ICS 4. but I'm still looking for another solution to help those who are still having problems.

[ash0078]

I have an identical problem with my LT15i. The only solution I have found is restoring the software via the Sony PC Companion, and labouriously re-installing my apps, moving as many as possible to external storage. This fixes the problem for a few weeks.

[Niklaus]

Oh God! Finally someone posted this! I am having the same problem with my Xperia Neo. I have around 42MB free and it says that I don't have enough storage.I also tried everything as you did, and I have no intention to root my phone.

Any solution?

Sony Xperia Support, please help us!

[ash0078]

See also: http://talk.sonymobile.com/message/299622#299622