What is com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim On Android? Everything You need to know.

com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim is an Android testing tool pre-installed as a system app on the device. It's a compatibility test suite the lets the developers test the Android features and compatibility of the device.

This guide focuses on the details about com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim. What is it? What is it used for? And finally, troubleshoot the common errors with com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim on your Android device.

What is com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim?

com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim is a development suite tool for Android devices that is used by the developer to test the device in the early stages. It's a compatibility test tool pre-installed on Android phones as a system app. The package name for the app is com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim or com.Android.cts.csshim.

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Info about com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim

  • Name: Compatibility Test Suite
  • Package Name: com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim
  • Developer: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
  • Permissions:
  • Category: System App

understanding com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim

The term com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim stands for Compatibility Test Suite and priv stands for private. The package often comes with an additional package(com.android.cts.ctsshim)which is used globally.

What is it used for?

The com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim(Compatibility Test Suite) is developed by Google for Android phones for developers. The CTS app is used by developers to test the device and its compatibility for every stage for hardware and software changes.

Is com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim Virus or Spyware?

No, it's just a testing tool to test the device environment. The app is completely safe and doesn't contain any malware, spyware or malicious code.

Also, the app is developed by Google LLC and complies with the Play Protect policies. This means the app is scanned for potential malware or spyware by Google Play Store itself.

com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim error

users have reported getting a random pop-up "com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim has stopped" error message on the device frequently. This can be caused by a false trigger and is easy to resolve by adding the app to the manual whitelist.

Ways to fix com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim error

Here are the ways to fix the error:

1 Force Restart

The easiest solution to frequent com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim pop-up message is to force restart your Android. A force restart kills all the running apps in the background immediately and resolves the software glitch that may cause the error to surface.

Here is how you force restart:

  • Samsung Android:

Press and hold the power button and release it once you feel a short vibration.

  • Galaxy Pixel:

Press and hold the power button and release it once you feel a short vibration.

  • LG

Press and hold the power and volume buttons together and release them once you feel the short vibration on the device.

2. Clear the cache

Another simple solution to fix the com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim error is to clear the cache of the app. Here is how you do it;

  1. Open settings.
  2. Goto Apps Drawer.
  3. Tap on three dots at the top to open the action menu and select "Show system apps".
  4. Find the "com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim" in the list and tap to open in-app settings.
  5. Here tap on "Clear Cache" option.
  6. Go back and restart the device.

3. Force Stop App

Another solution to eliminate the error is to force stop the app and eliminate the app from the process. Here is how you do it;

  1. Open settings.
  2. Goto Apps Drawer.
  3. Tap on three dots at the top to open the action menu and select "Show system apps".
  4. Find the "com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim" in the list and tap to open in-app settings.
  5. Here tap on "Force Start" option.
  6. Go back and restart the device.

Remember, the process will kill the app temporarily and it will stop till you restart the device. Once you restart your Android, the error may come back. Another best solution is to disable the app to avoid further pop-ups.

To Disable the App Completely

Open the in-app settings following the steps above and this time tap on the "Disable" button.

4. Factory Reset Android

The last resort to resolve the com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim casing error is to factory reset your Android. But, make sure to backup all the data, contacts and media stored on the device as the action will delete them completely resetting the device to factory mode as you had purchased your phone.

Here is how to Factory Reset the Android

Reset Android Using Settings

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Navigate to System.
  3. Find Reset Options.
  4. Choose Factory Data Reset.
  5. Confirm the Reset.
  6. Wait for the Reset to Complete.

Reset Android Using Recovery Mode

  1. Turn off your device.
  2. Press and hold specific button combinations to boot into recovery mode (varies by device, commonly Power + Volume Down).
  3. Use the volume keys to navigate to "Wipe data/factory reset" or similar option.
  4. Press the power button to select it.
  5. Confirm the reset.
  6. Wait for the process to complete.
  7. Reboot your device.

Remember, this method will erase all data on your device, so ensure you have backed up any important data before proceeding.

5. Update Firmware:

A software or Android version glitch may also be a reason for the CTS error on your Android.

Can I remove or Uninstall com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim Safely?

No, it's not safe to remove or uninstall com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim. This package is a critical component of the Compatibility Test Suite (CTS) used for testing Android devices' compatibility with the Android platform. Removing it could potentially disrupt the functioning of your device and may cause issues with system stability and performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim?

com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim is a package associated with the Compatibility Test Suite (CTS) on Android devices. It helps ensure that the device meets compatibility standards set by Google.

Why is com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim installed on my device?

It's installed to verify that the device's software and hardware adhere to compatibility requirements for running Android apps and services.

Can I remove or uninstall com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim safely?

No, it's not recommended to remove or uninstall com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim. Doing so could disrupt the device's compatibility testing mechanisms.

What happens if I disable com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim?

Disabling it may lead to compatibility issues with certain apps or services that rely on CTS verification.

Is com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim safe?

Yes, it's safe and necessary for ensuring compatibility with Android standards.

What permissions does com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim require?

Typically, it requires permissions related to system-level access for compatibility testing purposes.

Can I customize or configure com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim?

Generally, it's not intended for user customization or configuration.

Is com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim necessary for the proper functioning of my device?

While it's not directly involved in day-to-day device usage, it's crucial for ensuring that your device meets compatibility standards for running Android apps and services.

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