Any Android Experts Here?

[Doofus]

I have an HTC Desire C for a specific project. I bought it (for about £5) because the screen size is exactly what I need.

It runs Android 4.0.3, which is no longer supported, and therefore I can't log into my Google account and the Play Store.

In theory, I can sideload the apps I need, but the phone doesn't have a file manager. It's got an app call "File Browser", but it only shows up in Settings/Apps (not the app drawer), so I can force it to stop, or disable it, but I can't actually run it.

I can transfer APKs to the phone using usb or a microSD, but I can't actually navigate to them on the phone to install them. Any ideas?

I'm happy to completely hack the phone, although I don't actually know what I'm doing.

[QuartzDad]

There are other 3.5" 320x480 handsets that run Android 5, would that be easier?

https://www.gsmscore.com/model-finder/screen-size/...

[Doofus]

It's actually the overall phone size which is important. The 3.5" screen is a result of that.

Further info: I don't want to use it as a phone - it won't even have a SIM installed.

[dudleybloke]

There's plenty of custom roms about for it, might be your best option.

[zedx19]

https://forum.xda-developers.com/f/htc-desire-c.19...

A better source of information and requesting of help.

[Doofus]

EmailAddress said:

What happens if you mount it as a device onto a computer, can you then browse through the file structure?

E.g Android Transfer on Mac.

ETA, Can you then move the object to the 'Desktop' or create a shortcut for it somewhere that is accessible?

I can mount it as an external HDD. I can see the file structire using my pc, but not onnthe phone.

[Doofus]

dudleybloke said:

There's plenty of custom roms about for it, might be your best option.

That's what I'm asking.

[V8covin]

Try sideloading a file manager for your version of Android....
https://www.google.co.uk/m?q=file+manager+for+andr...

[Doofus]

EmailAddress said:

What about using Developer options or Safe Mode.

Does that enable you to access the full structure somehow.

That's also what I'm asking.

[Doofus]

EmailAddress said:

What about downloading an .APK and then clicking on the download notification when it completes. Will that start the install immediately.

Enabling you to get a File Browser.

Anything I try to download directly onto the phone fails. "There is a problem parsing this package".

[Doofus]

V8covin said:

Try sideloading a file manager for your version of Android....
https://www.google.co.uk/m?q=file+manager+for+andr...

I've already said I can't sideload anything.

[Doofus]

zedx19 said:

https://forum.xda-developers.com/f/htc-desire-c.19...

A better source of information and requesting of help.

Thank you.

[Doofus]

I've managed to find a very small file manager APK which I was able to download and install. Hopefully that's my main issue sorted...