# Install and update the Android app

Source: https://frosvo.com/docs/android-app
Updated: 2026-10-24

Install Frosvo on Android, enable chat notifications and understand APK updates and signed app improvements, with steps for common installation problems.

The Frosvo Android app lets your team answer chats and receive notifications on a
phone. Use this guide to install it and understand the two kinds of app update.

## What do you need before installing?

Use your team's existing Frosvo account and an Android phone. Download only from
the official [download page](/download). Keep your sign-in and two-step recovery
details available; installing an app does not create a workspace or team invitation.

## How do you install or update the APK?

1. Open the download page on your phone and choose the Android download.
2. Open the downloaded APK. If Android asks, allow installation from the browser
   or Frosvo for this installation, then confirm Install or Update.
3. Open Frosvo and sign in. Allow notifications when Android asks so new chats can
   reach you. Check your presence and notification preferences.
4. When the app offers an APK update, choose **Update now**. Wait for the download
   and confirm Android's installation prompt. Optional updates can be postponed;
   a required update must be installed to continue.

## How do signed app improvements work?

The signed-update pilot requires a new enabling APK first; older APKs keep using
their normal installer updates. For the pilot on a **64-bit ARM Android phone**,
install the official [Frosvo 2.1.0 pilot APK](/desktop/updates/frosvo-2.1.0-pilot-arm64.apk)
once. Other devices should keep their existing release until a compatible pilot
build is available. Compatible builds check for improvements at
startup and download them in the background. If **An app improvement is ready**
appears, finish your message and choose **Restart now**, or choose **Later**.

These improvements can change screens and text. New native capabilities and
permissions still require a new APK. An offline phone uses its installed bundle;
it does not need a connection to the update server merely to open the app.

## What if an installation or update fails?

**Android refuses the APK:** confirm it came from Frosvo's download page and that
the phone allows installation from the application opening it. A signature
conflict can indicate a different distribution of the app; contact support before
uninstalling so you do not lose local work.

**An improvement does not appear:** your installed native version may not be
compatible, or the improvement may not be published to your build yet. Check for
an APK update and reopen the app when online.

**Restart does not work:** finish your work, close Frosvo fully and reopen it.
Do not repeatedly reinstall the app to resolve a temporary connection problem.

**Notifications do not arrive:** check Android's notification permission, battery
restrictions and [notification preferences](/docs/notifications-and-presence).

## Related

- [Install Frosvo for Windows](/docs/install-desktop-app).
- [Notifications and presence](/docs/notifications-and-presence).
- [Two-step sign-in and recovery](/docs/two-step-sign-in).

## Common questions

### Does every update need a new APK?

Native changes require an APK update. Builds with signed app updates can receive compatible screen and text improvements without installing another APK.

### Will an improvement restart an active chat?

The app offers Restart now and Later when an improvement is downloaded. Finish sending your message before restarting; it can also apply on a later cold start.