title: Content Provider INSTALL_FAILED_CONFLICTING_PROVIDER (installing content provider as a separate apk)
body: <p>I have two applications which use the same content provider, but I can't put the same content provider in both applications- it shows INSTALL_FAILED_CONFLICTING_PROVIDER error. So I have put my content provider in a 3rd .apk and used this from two applications and it is working well.</p>
  
  <p>Now the problem is- The content provider apk must be installed before any of those two apps can be installed on the device. Otherwise, it shows Provider not found error during installation. </p>
  
  <p>So, how can I ensure that the provider apk is installed before any of the other apks is installed? </p>
  
  <p>Is there a way to merge the content provider apk with both of the other apks separately, so they will be installed together as two applications and won't show INSTALL_FAILED_CONFLICTING_PROVIDER error? </p>
  
  <p>I need to merge the content provider apk with both applications, because the user may not install both applications or may install them both on a single device.</p>