insufficient storage - df - sufficient conditions?

Question

I know there're lots of questions about insufficient storage, but no real answer so far ! In particular about /data/app, which has plenty of space in my case. So why can't I install any new app ?!
What are the precise conditions that make install fail ?
(I don't want tricks like clearing cache or /data/app, which are both fine in my case..., but I'm more interested by a dev answer about how the install process proceeds)

Thanks !

shell@wiko:/ $ df

Filesystem

Size
  Used
  Free
Blksize

/dev

 235.3M
128.0K
235.2M
4096

/sys/fs/cgroup

235.3M
 12.0K
235.3M
4096

/mnt/secure

235.3M
  0.0K
235.3M
4096

/mnt/asec

  235.3M
  0.0K
235.3M
4096

/mnt/obb

235.3M
  0.0K
235.3M
4096

/system

 787.4M
687.4M
100.0M
4096

/data

  2.5G
  1.0G
  1.5G
4096

/cache

  221.5M
  4.1M
217.3M
4096

/protect_f

8.8M
  4.1M
  4.8M
4096

/protect_s

8.8M
  4.0M
  4.8M
4096

/storage/sdcard0

2.3G
  1.0G
  1.3G
4096

logcat gives:

I/PackageManager(  672): Apk copy done

I/PackageManager(  672): Checking for more work or unbind...

I/PackageManager(  672): Posting delayed MCS_UNBIND

V/PackageManager(  672): + starting restore round-trip 16

V/PackageManager(  672): No restore - queue post-install for 16

V/PackageManager(  672): Handling post-install for 16

V/Provider/Settings(  672): get setting for user 0 by user 0 so skipping cache

V/Provider/Settings(  672):  from settings cache , name = sys_free_storage_log_interval , value = null

V/Provider/Settings(  672): get setting for user 0 by user 0 so skipping cache

V/Provider/Settings(  672):  from settings cache , name = disk_free_change_reporting_threshold , value = null

D/dalvikvm(  672): GC_EXPLICIT freed 579K (8856), 21% free 15405K/19324K, paused 5ms+10ms, total 125ms

I/Finsky  (14148): [15066] com.google.android.finsky.packagemanager.impl.h.a(9): Package install status for fr.smoney.android.izly.REC is -4

W/Finsky  (14148): [1] com.google.android.finsky.installer.a.aa.a(37): Install failure of fr.smoney.android.izly.REC: -4, Exception: n/a

— xtof54 | Sources

Answer

There's a related thread on XDA describing a work-around. Adapting it a little so you don't need that "specific tool" (LP):

Set the install location explicitly to internal storage:

pm set-install-location 1 # (0=auto (default), 1=internal, 2=SDCard)

Clear the Play Store settings

Now your install should go through.

As the comment in the code line shows, by default Android is set to automatically chose the storage the install should go to. It seems something is messed up in that evaluation. So by making your wish explicit, that "auto evaluation" routine is skipped, and thus the error avoided. If that's what's behind the issue, it should work as well setting your preferred storage to 2 (SDCard) if you prefer that.

Reading your comment, the culprit might have been a little different at least in your case: If you had set the install location to 2 and then removed the card, it's pretty much clear why there's "insufficient storage" on the empty slot :)

— Izzy | Sources

insufficient storage - df - sufficient conditions?

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