android_install_apk
Install an app on the Android device from an APK or split bundle (XAPK/APKS — how most large modern apps ship). Provide apk_url (an https link the device downloads itself — preferred, and the only workable option for real apps) or, for tiny payloads, as apk_base64. Max 300MB. Large apps can take ...
This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-saloprj-dialogbrain/android-install-apk.md
What android_install_apk does on Dialogbrain
AI agents invoke android_install_apk to trigger actions in Dialogbrain. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call: builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
apk_url | string | — | https URL of the APK — the server downloads it (preferred; the only practical option for real-sized apps). |
package | string | — | Expected package name (for verification) |
reinstall | boolean | — | Uninstall first if package exists (for different signature). OMIT for a normal install (default false). |
apk_base64 | string | — | APK as base64-encoded bytes. Only usable for tiny payloads (the whole blob is an LLM tool argument); prefer apk_url. |
channel_account_id | integer | — | Android device channel_account ID. Omit when the workspace has a single Android device; REQUIRED when it has more than one (e.g. WhatsApp + LINE), else the call |
Parameters from the server's own tool schema.
Why android_install_apk is rated High
This tool installs arbitrary application packages on a real Android device, effectively executing foreign code with whatever permissions the APK requests. An AI agent could be manipulated into installing malicious APKs, granting full device compromise.
From the tool's definition Install an app on the Android device from an APK or split bundle... Provide apk_url (an https link the device downloads itself)... Use reinstall=true to uninstall then install
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs android_install_apk safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Dialogbrain, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For android_install_apk, this is the rule to start with:
android_install_apk stays usable, but rate-capped: a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Dialogbrain, apply this rule, and every android_install_apk call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about android_install_apk
Install an app on the Android device from an APK or split bundle (XAPK/APKS — how most large modern apps ship). Provide apk_url (an https link the device downloads itself — preferred, and the only workable option for real apps) or, for tiny payloads, as apk_base64. Max 300MB. Large apps can take several minutes; if this call times out the install keeps running on the device — verify with the app-list tool instead of re-installing. Use reinstall=true to uninstall then install (for signature changes). It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Dialogbrain MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
android_install_apk accepts 5 parameters: apk_url, package, reinstall, apk_base64, channel_account_id. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.
Register the Dialogbrain MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for android_install_apk: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Dialogbrain. Nothing to install.
android_install_apk is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the android_install_apk rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for android_install_apk. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
android_install_apk is provided by the Dialogbrain MCP server (https://api.dialogbrain.com/mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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