install multiple apks on one device tries to replace previous app

I install my apps by sending the apk file to my gmail account as an attachment and then install the app fro开发者_C百科m there. But by doing this, I find that I can install only one app at any point. the device tries to replace any previously installed app if i try to download and install another one. I found the same thing when sideloading the apps through command prompt. am i missing something here? any help is appreciated. thanks.

You need to have different package names for the apps , also if you do this, put separate names too to avoid confusion on your home screen.

There are two kinds of packages in Android-land. One is the Java package that your classes are in and the other is the Android package that is in the manifest. I assume that you are talking about the Android package, not the Java class package, right? I was confused by the need to give a package name in the manifest and assumed that it wanted the Java package name. And since I used the same Java package for both of my first two apps, when I installed the second one, it replaced the first one.

On a related question, what is a typical naming convention for Android packages?

First of all, go to File and find Export to zip file and click it.

Like here:

Now extract the generated zip file and reopen this Android project. It works for me.

Try renaming the .apk files, that might help.