Device Agent for Android Client Tool
This guide walks through installing and running the Android Device Agent in full detail, including what to do if a prompt looks slightly different on your specific phone — the wording of the "unknown sources" and Play Protect screens varies a little between Samsung, Pixel, and other Android phones. If you just need the quick version, the download page has a short numbered list; this page is the extended version with troubleshooting.
What this tool actually does
The Device Agent is a small app. When you open it, it does exactly three things: (1) asks for your case number and shows you which case and client name it found, so you can confirm it's talking to the right case before anything happens; (2) reads a list of the applications currently installed on this phone, plus a few basic device details (manufacturer/model, Android version, storage size); (3) sends that information directly to your case file, where your investigator can see it immediately. It does not read your messages, photos, call logs, contacts, or anything beyond the installed-app list and the basic device details described above.
Why it's not on the Play Store
This is a purpose-built internal tool for active cases, not a consumer app, so it isn't published on the Play Store — you install it directly from our site instead. This is a completely normal, safe distribution method (lots of legitimate business and internal tools work this way); Android just requires a couple of extra confirmation taps compared to a Play Store app, covered below.
Before you start
You'll need: an Android phone (Android 8.0 or newer — nearly any phone from the last several years), an internet connection, and your case number (your investigator will give you this — it looks like 117331-KG44T).
Step-by-step
1. Download the file. On your phone, open the download page and tap the download button. SwiftDeviceAgent.apk will download to your phone (you'll see it in your notification shade, or in your Files/Downloads app).
2. Open the downloaded file. Tap it from the notification, or open it from your Files app.
3. Allow installation from this source. Android will show a screen saying something like "For your security, your phone is not allowed to install unknown apps from this source." Tap Settings on that same screen, then turn on the toggle labeled Allow from this source (on some phones this is worded Install unknown apps). Use the back button to return to the install screen — it should now let you continue.
4. Play Protect scan. Google Play Protect runs in the background on all Android phones and checks any app you install, even ones not from the Play Store. It will likely say "This app wasn't scanned" or "Play Protect doesn't recognize this app" and offer to scan it — tap Scan. It will come back clean. Then tap Install anyway (sometimes shown as just continuing after the scan finishes).
5. Install. Tap Install. This takes just a couple seconds.
6. Open the app. Tap Open from the install-complete screen, or find Swift Device Agent in your app drawer.
7. Enter your case number. Type it exactly as given to you and tap Verify Case.
8. Confirm your information. You'll see your name and case details on screen. Double-check this is actually you and your case before continuing.
9. Begin the scan. Tap Begin Device Scan. This takes a few seconds while it reads your installed apps.
10. Done. You'll see "Report Filed" with a count of applications logged. You can close the app now, and uninstall it afterward if you'd like (Settings → Apps → Swift Device Agent → Uninstall) — it isn't needed again unless your investigator asks you to run it a second time.
Troubleshooting
I don't see an "Allow from this source" option — Some phones (especially Samsung) phrase this as a permission tied to the specific app you used to open the file (e.g. "Chrome" or "My Files") rather than a general toggle. Look for Settings → Apps → [the app you used to open the file] → Install unknown apps and enable it there instead.
"Case number not found" — Double-check every character, especially the dash and any letters that look similar (0 vs O, 1 vs I). If it still isn't found, contact your investigator to confirm the exact number.
The app won't open / crashes immediately — Make sure you're on Android 8.0 or newer (Settings → About Phone → Android version). If you are and it still won't open, contact your investigator — they can walk through it with you live.
My phone says the app is "not installed" after tapping Install — This can happen if the download was interrupted. Delete the downloaded file and repeat step 1.
Privacy note
The information collected here is attached only to your specific case, identified by your case number, and is visible only to your assigned investigator and authorized staff — the same access that already applies to the rest of your case file.