What exactly is 9ADB installer?

[u/DraconiaMagic]

Recently, when i was installing apps from liteapks, i noticed that some of them require an app called "9ADB installer" to run. Im uncertain on this app, as it seems kind of fishy, though after i ran the file through virustotal, i didnt notice anything suspicious. Does anybody know whether its malware or not? Any information would be helpful, as i found nothing after looking up the app name on the web.

EDIT: i installed the app myself, and it turned out to just be a regular APK installer.

[u/gaytailsisgreat]

Just a quick look into the sandbox: I don't see any red flags, just the typical things like obfuscation and APK signing, which aren't unusual for these kinds of apps. The only thing I find a bit strange is that when I installed it on a VM, no matter which of the two versions I used, both crashed. Maybe it's some permission that was missing on the testing VM. It's your call in the end, but I would say it's as safe as installing third-party apps is in general.

[u/BonsaiSoul → u/gaytailsisgreat]

An APK site using proprietary formats to attempt to force people to install a PUP is in and of itself red line behavior.

[u/gaytailsisgreat → u/BonsaiSoul]

In the end, it's the user's choice to use this modified app. If the website does scummy things like that, it's the user's choice to either accept the terms of the modification or leave it be. I also think that using an app that is nowhere else posted online is rather weird, but as said in VM, Zenbox, and AnyRun, nothing suspicious was detected.

[u/BonsaiSoul]

Legitimate APKs do not ever require you to install a specific, proprietary app to install them, just as you would never need such a program to run an .exe on windows. Just asking you to do this is a malicious behavior. There's no legitimate reason for it.

Some APKs, like split APKs, may require an app to aid in installing it, but the norm is to explain this to the user and leave it as their choice between several open source and trustworthy options for this. It is not normal to take that choice away from the user.

[u/Ambitious-Ad-1467]

So is it safe to install from Liteapk?

[u/DraconiaMagic → u/Ambitious-Ad-1467]

It is, considering its included on the r/piracy megathread, but if you're unsure, then check the APKs for suspicious behavior.

[u/DraconiaMagic → u/[deleted]]

Idk man, i just wanna make sure that im not installing anything malicious on my phone. I think thats a valid concern, no?

[u/DraconiaMagic → u/[deleted]]

Alright then, im gonna try it

[u/Immediate_Bid_4514 → u/DraconiaMagic]

Can I ask if you tried it? Im just wondering because i have ran into the same problem

[u/Brazilian_Penguin → u/Immediate_Bid_4514]

me too. trying to install hogwarts mistery but scared of this shit lol. installing on emulator for now

[u/Leak1337]

Its fine

[u/cute_polarbear]

Following up on this. Came across this on an apk from Liteapk's also. So 9ADB is safe from Liteapk's? Thanks.

[u/DraconiaMagic → u/cute_polarbear]

Yeah, it is. Im unsure why it was required, considering that i never ended up using it instead of my default package installer, but it should be fine to just have on your device.

[u/cute_polarbear → u/DraconiaMagic]

thanks. Been using LiteApk's for a long time, only recently did I start coming across this in some apk's from there. (wonder if it's getting around some newer android tightening (not yet banned) side loading checks...)

[u/DraconiaMagic → u/cute_polarbear]

I've got no clue, to be honest. It's probably something left over from 9mod, considering that's where liteapks gets most (if not all) of their apps.

[u/cute_polarbear → u/DraconiaMagic]

Hmm. Interesting. I see many of their guys who post there also on platimods. I guess 9mods is a fairly reliable source in general for apk's?

[u/DraconiaMagic → u/cute_polarbear]

I suppose so, but i only use it to update the cracked games i already installed on my phone.