How to install android app from apk file

How To Install Android Apps Using The APK File

Plus, we go over some of the risks

Google Play Store isn’t the only source of apps for Android devices. There are many sites that host Android apps as well. You can download apps as special APK files from these sites and install them on your phone. To install these, you’ll need to configure your phone since these are unofficial Android apps.

If you’re new to APKs and you aren’t sure how to install Android apps with these APK files, our guide here will help you out.

What Is An APK File?

APK stands for Android Package Kit and it’s a file consisting of all resources and codes that the app needs to install.

For example, if you download the APK for YouTube, the APK contains YouTube’s resources like banners, logos, and other content. The APK also contains the code that instructs the app what to do when you press a certain option.

In a nutshell, an APK is an app installer for Android devices. You tap an APK file and it installs the app on your phone.

Why Use An APK To Install An App On Android?

There are various reasons you may want to use an APK to install apps.

A common reason is that the app you’re looking for isn’t present on the Google Play Store. You can download the APK for that app from the developer’s site and use the app on your phone.

Other reasons include the Google Play Store restricting certain apps in your region. An APK helps overcome that limitation.

What Are The Risks Of Installing An APK From Outside The Store?

Using an APK to install Android apps comes with risks. One major risk is that you aren’t sure what the app will do on your phone. It could be a malicious app that can steal your data, for example.

Since these apps don’t go through the Google Play Store quality and security checks, these apps can have any code, and they can do anything to your phone.

However, most apps are safe to use. As long as you trust the website or the developer you’re getting the APK from, you should be fine.

How To Enable APK Installation On Your Android Device

On almost all Android phones, the option to install unofficial apps (APKs) comes disabled by default. You need to turn on this option to install APKs.

1. Launch the Settings app on your phone.
2. Scroll down and tap the About phone option.

1. Tap Build number for about 7-8 times to enable developer options.

1. Get back to the main settings screen, tap Developer options, and enable Unknown sources.
2. If you don’t find the Developer options menu, look for options like Security or Lock screen and security. This option varies by device but you should find it.

How To Enable App-Specific APK Installation On Android

Some Android phones have a feature where you can only enable APK installations from specific sources. On these phones, you need to turn on the APK installation option for each app that you’ll be using to download APKs.

For example, if you’ll use Chrome to download and install APKs, you need to enable the APK installation option for Chrome.

1. Open the Settings app and tap Apps & notifications.

1. Scroll down and tap the last option that says Special app access.

1. Select Install unknown apps on the following screen.

1. Choose the app you’ll use to install APKs. In most cases, it’ll be either your browser or file manager.
2. Enable the Allow from this source option.

How To Install An Android App Using An APK

Installing an application using an APK file is the easiest part. If you haven’t already downloaded the APK for your app, download it now or browse some of the popular and safe APK download sites to get your APK.

You then have two ways to install your app using the downloaded APK.

Using Android Debug Bridge (ADB)

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) helps you to remotely execute commands on your phone from your computer. If your APK file is saved to your computer, you can use a command in ADB to push the APK to your device and install the app.

We have a comprehensive guide on how to install Android apps using ADB. Check that out and you’ll learn the entire procedure.

Using Your Android Phone

If you’ve already transferred the APK file directly to your phone, you can either use your browser or the file manager app to install the APK file.

1. Launch either your browser or file manager and tap the APK file.
2. You’ll see a prompt asking if you want to install the app. Tap Install at the bottom.

1. You’ll see the live installation progress on your screen.

1. When the app’s installed, tap Done to close the current screen or tap Open to launch the newly installed app.

How To Install Updates For APK Apps On Android

The Google Play Store only lets you update the apps that you’ve downloaded from the store. To update your apps that you’ve installed using APKs, you have two methods.

Manually Find & Install Updates

One way to update your APK apps is to download the newer APK file and install them. This’ll overwrite your existing app but will preserve your data in those apps.

You can find newer versions of your APK apps on some APK download sites or the official website for the app.

Use An App To Update Your Apps

You can use a free app like APKUpdater to update your downloaded apps just like the official Google Play Store method. This app scans your device for all installed apps, finds updates for those apps, and offers to install the updates.

APKUpdater uses multiple sources to find the latest versions of your installed apps. It also sends a notification when an update is found for your apps.

What To Do With The APK After Installing The App

Once you’ve installed an app using the downloaded APK file, you no longer need the APK file.

You can safely delete the APK from your phone using a file manager to remove clutter and free-up your memory space.

There are various reasons apps aren’t published to the official Google Play Store. However, with the ability to install Android apps using APKs, you can install any app on your phone, regardless. You can even test apps you’ve developed yourself using this feature.

Mahesh has been obsessed with technology since he got his first gadget a decade or so ago. Over the last few years, he’s written a number of tech articles on various online publications including but not limited to MakeTechEasier and Android AppStorm. Read Mahesh’s Full Bio

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How to install games & apps from APK, APKs & OBB files

Ever you wonder what an APK is? Why, when you want to install an app or a MOD game, must you install it using an APK? Here is everything related to the APK you should read and should know to avoid having problems and problems related.

Table of Contents

1. About APK

What is an APK?

APK is an acronym for “Android application package”, which is an application installer used on the Android operating system. APK is a ZIP-based archive, based on the JAR format and has a .apk extension.

Why need APK?

• From time to time, you want to experience new games and apps that are not yet available on Google Play.
• Install apps that are blocked or restricted in certain countries on Google Play.
• No Play Store app on your phone / Can’t open Play Store app
• Installing apps through APK also allows you to install paid apps, which infringe copyright.

What is Obb?

Obb is an additional data file for the app. Some need them to work, while some don’t. If you see the Obb download link in posts on APKMody, then you need to download them.

What is APKs?

With the release of Android App Bundles, this new format of Google Play will make it impossible for us to share APK anymore. Replace it with APKs.

APKs cannot be installed in the normal way. To install APKs, you need to use APKMODY Installer (Refer to the installation instructions below).

2. Guides

Allow installing third-party apps on your device

If you want to install the game or application through the APK, you must make sure the phone is allowed to install third-party apps.

Do this by going to Settings > Privacy > and selecting Unknown sources.

Install an APK

Installing an APK file is as simple as eating a cake. You download it from our website, click on it and you will see a notification, select Install to install the application on your device.

Install an APKs

Note: To install an APKs file, you must first have APKMODY Installer installed on your device. APKMODY Installer is available on Google Play or you can download APK file here.

Step 1: Open APKMODY Installer -> select Install APKs

Step 2: Navigate to the location of the downloaded APKs file -> Select Select

Step 3: Installation window appears, select Install.

Installing app with Obb data

In the case of the application you want to install have an OBB, follow these steps:

Note: To install an OBB file, you must first have APKMODY Installer installed on your device. APKMODY Installer is available on Google Play or you can download APK file here.

Step 1: Download APK from APKMODY and install.

Step 2: Download OBB.

Step 3: Open APKMODY Installer -> select Install OBB

Step 4: Navigate to the location of the downloaded OBB file (.zip) -> Select Select

This application will install OBB on Android/obb path automatically. Once done, you can open the app.

For example, in case you want to install Soul Knight APK, you will need:

1. Download the APK of Soul Knight from APKMODY and install (Don’t open it after installation)
2. Download OBB (com.chillyroom.dungeonshooter.zip)
3. Open APKMODY Installer -> select Install OBB
4. Navigate to the location of the downloaded OBB file (com.chillyroom.dungeonshooter.zip) -> Select Select
5. This application will install OBB on Android/obb path automatically. Once done, you can open the game.

3. Common problems when installing APK

1. Error “App not installed”

Take each of the following measures:

a, If you get this error, you may have another version of the app (already on the phone) that you are trying to install. Please uninstall it first!

b, It is also possible that the Play Protect feature is turned on, please turn off Play Protect!

c, This error may also occur because your phone does not support this APK file.

d, If you have done all the above and still cannot fix the problem, try restarting the device!

2. Error “Download failed because you may not have purchased this app”

This error usually occurs with apps contain OBB, it seems that you forgot to download OBB.

What if even if you copied the OBB to the correct position and still got an error? Try installing the original version from Google Play first, then uninstall it. And try to install the APK / OBB again!

3. Error “Black screen”, “Loading screen stuck”

Similar to error 2, it looks like you forgot to install OBB, or did it incorrectly.

4. Cannot login with Facebook / Google

This is a problem with all applications that are modified. You may need to root your device to be able to log in.

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How to Install APK Files on Android [also for Android O]

Android app package file (.apk) is a file format used to install Apps and Games on Android and other operating systems that allow for side loading of Android apps, like the BlackBerry Z10. APK files are similar in nature to MSI packages on Windows and Deb packages on Debian-based operating systems like Ubuntu.

Almost all Android devices support side loading of Apps from .apk app package files. However, for security reasons installation of apps from unknown sources is kept disabled by default on Android. Also, from Android 4.0 onwards, Google does verify apps that you side load from .apk packages on your Android device for malwares and related threats, and thereby restrict installation of apps that may cause harm.

Anyway, Unknown Sources option hasn’t been kept hidden, thereby making it easy to let users install .apk files on their Android devices. You can enable the installation of .apk files from unknown sources from the settings page on your device, let’s have a look.

icon-cogs HOW TO INSTALL APK FILES ON ANDROID

STEP 1: Enable App Installation from Unknown Sources

Android 2.3 (and below) versions

Go to Settings » Application » check ‘Unknown sources’ box

Android 4.0 (and above) versions

Go to Settings » Security » check ‘Unknown sources’ box.

Once you’ve enabled installation of .apk files from unknown sources, you can click/open a .apk file on your Android device and install it.

STEP 2: Install APK file using an APK Installer app OR a File Manager

To install a .apk file you must first transfer the file to your device’s internal or external sd card. You can then either use a file manager on your device to access the file OR you can use an app from the Play store that’ll list all the .apk files present on your device making it easier for you to manage and select files.

icon-list-ol Installing .apk files using an APK installer app

1. Transfer the .apk files to your device’s internal or external storage.
2. Download and install the ‘Easy Installer – Apps On SD‘ app from play store to your device → Play store link.
3. Open the app and let it scan for all the .apk files present on your device.
4. Once the scanning finishes, select the app you want to install and then tap the ‘Install’ button at the bottom.
5. Now on the installation screen select Install to begin installation of the app.
   └ In case you see ‘Next’ instead of ‘Install‘ then click through Next and you’ll then get the ‘Install‘ button.

TIP: The Easy Installer app also lets you select multiple apps at once. It gives you the option install apps one after another without breaks — as soon as installation of one app completes, installation screen for the next app will show up and so on until the last app selected is installed.

icon-list-ol Installing .apk files using a File Manager app

1. Transfer the .apk files to your device’s internal or external storage.
2. Download a file manager app from the play store (if you don’t have one). We recommend using the ES File Explorer app → Play store link.
3. Now, using a File manager app, open the folder where you downloaded or transferred the APK file on your device.
   └ If you downloaded an APK file directly on your device, it should be in the Download folder.
4. Select the APK file you want to install.
5. Select Install to begin installation of the app.
   └ In case you see ‘Next’ instead of ‘Install‘ then click through Next and you’ll then get the ‘Install‘ button.

With the release of Android O, the process has changed a bit. If you are on Android O, there is actually no such things as ‘Install form other sources’, as you have to manually enable each app using which you are looking to initiate the install procedure.

For Android O users, we have created a separate guide to install apps using their APK file.

Shivam

Shivam is our resident designer and web developer who also enjoys writing. He loves to meditate, drive on the freeways and hunt for snipers during his Call Of Duty playtime. Email: [email protected]

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