Install location is set to "Auto" in the android manifest and player settings but changes on build

For months, every time I upload an APK to ODH, I get the error "Processing Error APK install location should be set to Auto"

I do set it to auto, it's auto in the android manifest, and it's auto in the Unity player settings. Yet I build an APK and run a validation on it and install location has changed to "prefer external"

I don't have a clue why this is happening. I have checked every settings and every line of code. I don't have any code that changes install location to prefer external, in fact there is tons of code in my app to check and set it to auto.

Yet prefer external is what it is after building. Why is this the case?