Test Model Assets After Reinstalling an Android AI App

Direct answer

A clean reinstall is not the same event as an app update, clearing app data, restoring a backup, or transferring to a new device. The location and type of each file determine what may persist. Android documentation says app-specific files are removed when the app is uninstalled, while Auto Backup can include much app data by default and applies version-specific backup and device-transfer rules. A model file, a user conversation, settings, temporary download, database, permission grant, and derived cache therefore need separate ownership and retention rules. Do not tell users that a local model “stays on the phone” without naming the tested storage location and reinstall path. Nor should an app assume the model will be restored by Auto Backup: backup inclusion is controlled by platform behavior and app rules, and the size and transport constraints may make large artifacts unsuitable. Cove’s source records model-manager states and searches configured storage locations; its downloader creates a temporary file and has an optional digest check when a value is configured. Those facts do not establish how any unspecified published build behaves through uninstall, backup, transfer, or restore. Test the actual app configuration and backup rules. Separate at least four paths: an in-place app update that keeps app data; force-stop or process recreation; clear app data; and uninstall then install again, with cloud backup or device-to-device restore as separate variants. For each path, record whether the model is still present, whether its exact identity and digest can be verified, whether permissions or URI grants remain, whether user-created records restore, and whether the app can complete a fresh representative task offline. Do not conflate a restored database entry with a restored model file. A user may see old history while the model is missing, or a file may remain while its manifest, runtime or integrity evidence is absent. The app must show distinct states such as installed artifact verified, model needs download, backup restored but runtime not ready, user data restored, transfer unavailable, and first-run setup required. If the model must be downloaded again after reinstall, describe the connection and storage requirements from verified product behavior and provide a clear non-destructive path. Never delete a transcript or conversation to repair model storage. Conversely, privacy rules may require excluding model artifacts or sensitive content from cloud backup; configure and test backup rules rather than relying on assumptions. Android 12 and later can use data-extraction rules, and cloud backup and device transfer can have different inclusion behavior. A backup restore test is not the same as reinstall without restore; exercise both. Use synthetic model fixtures and non-sensitive sample records. Capture old/new app version, install or restore path, OS build, backup configuration, artifact revision/byte length/digest state, storage location, restored data types, network state, model load and task outcome. Inject interruption during redownload, low storage, denied network, removed external volume, corrupted temporary bytes, stale database metadata and a runtime initialization failure. Verify that retry does not create duplicate work or overwrite the only valid artifact. Keep expected behavior user-visible: before uninstall, warn about data and assets known to be app-specific; on first launch, state whether backup restoration completed; if a model is missing, offer a user-selected acquisition path; and after acquisition, verify the final file before setting ready. Do not claim a particular backup restore, model persistence or offline readiness until that exact flow has been tested. A reliable result reports each lifecycle path independently rather than compressing them into a generic “reinstall preserves your data” claim. This guide is a validation method; it does not state that Cove apps are publicly distributed, automatically back up models, or preserve any given user record after uninstall.

A user reinstalls an offline AI app before a trip

The user expects a downloaded model, conversation history, and language settings to return after reinstalling the app. The product may have platform backup enabled, but there is no verified record showing which large model files were included or whether the restored artifact can open offline.

Decision

Test update, clear-data, uninstall/reinstall without restore, cloud restore, and device transfer separately; classify each data type and verify the model before promising readiness.

Expected outcome

The app gives a truthful first-run state, protects user-created content, and offers an explicit model reacquisition path when the model was not restored.

Evidence to collect

The claim becomes reviewable only when the following evidence is attached to the same artifact and test run:

• Fresh install and update scenarios
• Storage and model identity inventory
• Redownload, verify, task, and cleanup results

A completed byte stream is not enough. Final placement, integrity, runtime load, and recovery must also pass.

Implementation workflow

1. Inventory data by location and owner. List the model artifact, partial download, database, history, preferences, temporary/cache files, URI grants and exports, then map each one to internal app-specific, external app-specific or shared storage.
2. Define separate lifecycle test paths. Prepare fixtures for app update, force-stop/process recreation, clear app data, uninstall/reinstall without restore, cloud backup restore and device-to-device transfer; do not use one path as a proxy for another.
3. Inspect backup inclusion rules. Review manifest settings and version-appropriate XML extraction rules for cloud and device transfer. Verify what was actually restored and do not assume a large model artifact is included.
4. Verify identity and task readiness after restore. Check model revision, expected byte length, configured digest state, accessible volume and runtime-open result, then run a fixed offline task. Treat history restoration and model readiness as separate outcomes.
5. Test safe recovery and user disclosure. Inject missing files, unavailable external storage, low space, interrupted redownload and failed runtime initialization. Preserve user data, explain what is missing and offer a non-destructive retry or reacquisition choice.

Keep each transition observable. A failure should identify the stage, artifact, runtime, and recovery action without logging private user content.

Acceptance criteria

• Results separately cover update, clear-data, reinstall without restore, cloud restore and device-transfer paths that the product claims to support.
• Each data class has an observed location, backup/restore result, access state and deletion owner; no database record is treated as proof the model file exists.
• The restored or reacquired model passes identity, configured-integrity and runtime-open checks before the app reports ready or offline-capable.
• Missing or corrupt assets can be repaired without silently deleting conversations, transcripts, photos or exports.

Decision table

Failure patterns to prevent

• Assuming uninstall removes every external file
• Restoring stale consent state

Also prevent silent fallback, unpinned artifacts, missing cancellation, and conclusions that combine unlike configurations. Store unsuccessful runs alongside successful ones.

Minimum reproducibility record

Release checklist

• ☐ The primary query is answered without an unsupported number.
• ☐ Every artifact and runtime is pinned.
• ☐ The representative task and failure policy are explicit.
• ☐ Lifecycle, cancellation, cleanup, and fallback are tested.
• ☐ User-content and network boundaries are documented.
• ☐ Result wording applies only to the recorded configuration.
• ☐ The page links to raw method or evidence when results are added.

Sources and related evidence

• Android privacy and security
• Android Developers — App-specific storage and uninstall behavior
• Android Developers — Auto Backup rules
• Android Developers — Test backup and restore
• Cove ModelManager and downloader state facts

Chinese deployment and troubleshooting content is organized in the .奇连 AI 端侧专题.

Frequently asked questions