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Ghosthunter Installation Instructions

⚠️ Important: Google Is Making Sideloading Harder

Unfortunately, Google has been tightening restrictions on installing apps outside the Play Store. Stricter sideloading rules may expand further in autumn 2026. Depending on your Android version and region, you may hit a 24-hour waiting period when installing APKs.

There are two ways to deal with this:

  • Method A — Developer Mode: Allows installation after a 24-hour wait
  • Method B — ADB (Android Debug Bridge): Bypasses the waiting period entirely

📥 Step 1 — Download the APK

  1. Open your Android device's web browser and go to Ghosthunter on Itch.io.
  2. Locate and download the APK file for the Ghosthunter app.

🔓 Step 2 — Allow Unknown Sources

Before installing, your device must be set to allow apps from outside the Play Store.

  • Android 8.0 (Oreo) and above: Go to Settings → Apps & notifications → Special app access → Install unknown apps. Select the browser or file manager you used to download the APK and toggle Allow from this source.
  • Android 7.1 (Nougat) and below: Go to Settings → Security and enable Unknown sources.

📲 Step 3 — Standard Installation

  1. Open your file manager and navigate to your Downloads folder.
  2. Tap the APK file to start installation.
  3. Follow the on-screen prompts to finish. If prompted, you can allow Google Play to scan the file for security.

If the install is blocked by Google's enhanced protection, use Method A or B below.

🧑‍💻 Method A — Developer Mode (24-hour wait)

Enabling Developer Mode will allow the install — but only after a mandatory 24-hour wait from the first install attempt.

  1. Open Settings → About phone.
  2. Find Build number and tap it 7 times in a row. You may be asked for your PIN or fingerprint.
  3. Go to Settings → System → Developer options.
  4. Scroll down and enable Install via USB, or disable Enhanced security for unknown sources if present on your device.
  5. Attempt to install the APK. If prompted about a 24-hour wait, confirm and try again the next day.

⏱️ The 24-hour countdown starts the moment you attempt the install. You don't need to keep your screen on — just try again the next day.

⚡ Method B — ADB Install (No Wait)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) installs APKs directly from a PC or Mac, bypassing Google's enhanced protection and the 24-hour delay. You'll need a computer and a USB cable.

Step 1 — Set up your computer
  1. Download Android Platform Tools from developer.android.com and extract the ZIP to a folder (e.g. C:\adb\).
  2. Windows: Hold Shift and right-click inside the folder → select "Open PowerShell window here".
    Mac/Linux: Open Terminal and navigate to the folder with cd ~/adb.
Step 2 — Enable USB Debugging on your phone
  1. Enable Developer Mode first (tap Build number 7 times — see Method A above).
  2. Go to Settings → System → Developer options and enable USB debugging.
  3. Connect your phone to the computer with a USB cable.
  4. On your phone, tap Allow USB Debugging when prompted. Check "Always allow from this computer".
Step 3 — Install the APK
  1. Copy the downloaded APK into your ADB folder.
  2. In your command window, run: adb devices — your device should appear. If it shows "unauthorized", check your phone and tap Allow.
  3. Install with: adb install ghosthunter.apk (replace the filename with the one you downloaded).
  4. Wait for the Success message. The app is now installed! 🎉

💡 ADB completely bypasses any Google-imposed waiting period. It is the recommended method if the standard install is blocked on your device.

🕵️ How to Use the App

  1. Launch the app and grant access to the camera (photos) and microphone (EVP recording).
  2. The app will check if your device has a magnetometer sensor. If your device does not have the required sensor, the app will notify you.
  3. Walk around and investigate! If EMF readings seem erratic, shake the device or recalibrate the sensor.
  4. EVP recordings are saved to the "Ghosthunter" folder on internal storage. Photos appear in your Gallery.

🧭 Sensor Calibration

Keep the phone away from metal objects, speakers, and other electronics — they cause false readings.

  • Check your sensor: Open the Phone (Dialer) app and enter the code *#0*#. Go to Sensor and look for Magnetometer readings.
  • Calibrate: Move your phone in a slow figure-eight motion several times.
  • Alternative: Open Google Maps → tap your blue location dot → select Calibrate Compass.

💡 If you encounter any issues during installation or have any questions, please contact us at grmgamedev [at] gmail [dot] com

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