The APK file format is used on Android devices to distribute and install applications and games. These files work in the same way as.exe files for Windows or.dmg files for Mac – Simply copy and run an.apk file to your smartphone or tablet.
Developers create an.apk file by first compiling an Android application and then compressing all of its files into a single package. APK files commonly contain data such as application code files, resource files, security certificates, manifest files, and so on.
The Google Play Store contains hundreds of applications and games in.apk format. Non-market apps can also be obtained from third-party sources; for example, you can locate and download a secret beta version of a new Android program. You can also run Apk files via an online emulator.
On most Android devices, simply clicking on the application icon or name will open a file manager tool and begin the installation process. If your device lacks an APK installer, you can obtain one from the internet.
More Information
APK files are rarely seen by users because Android handles app installation in the background through Google Play or another app distribution platform. Many websites, however, provide direct APK file downloads for Android users who want to manually install apps. In this case, be cautious about trusting the source of the APK file, because malware can be distributed in APK files, just as it can in Windows and.EXE files.
What does an APK file contain?
Android packages contain all of the files required to run a single Android program. The following is a list of the most important files and folders:
- META-INF/ : Contains the manifest file, the signature, and a list of the archive’s resources.
- lib/: Native libraries for specific device architectures (armeabi-v7a, x86, etc.).
- res/ : Resources that were not compiled into resources.arsc, such as images. assets/ : Raw resource files that developers bundle with the app.
- AndroidManifest.xml: Describes the APK file’s name, version, and contents.
- classes.dex: The compiled Java classes that will be executed on the device (.DEX file).
- resources.arsc: The app’s compiled resources, such as strings (.ARSC file).
How do I view the contents of an APK file?
APK files are compressed .ZIP files that can be opened with any Zip decompression tool. To explore the contents of an APK file, rename the file extension to “.zip” and open the file, or open the file directly through the open dialog box of a Zip application.
How do I create APK files?
Android Studio, the official IDE for Android software developers, is used to create Android apps. It is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, and it allows users to create apps and prepare them for distribution through services such as Google Play. When apps are complete, developers can package them as APK files and sign them for distribution.
How to Install an APK file in Android?
Opening an APK on Android involves the following steps.
- Enabling Install from Unknown Sources
You must enable APK file opening from external sources. The following methods are for various Android versions:
For Android Oreo 8.0 and Later
Here are the steps you must take to install them. Android 8.0 Oreo and Later APK file
Step 1: Navigate to Settings > Apps and Notifications.
Go to ‘settings’ on your Android device (Android 8.0 or later) and select ‘apps and notifications.’
Step 2: Select “Special app access.”
Scroll down to the “special app access” option after clicking on apps and notifications.
Step 3: Select ‘install unknown apps.’
After you’ve selected special app access, scroll down to the ‘install unknown apps’ option and select it.
Step 4) Select your preferred browser.
You will be taken to another page where you can choose a browser to use to download the APK file.
N/B: Please keep in mind that the procedure may differ depending on your device. For example, on the Xiaomi Redmi Note, you must search for “Special App Access” to find “Install Unknown Apps.”
Step 5: Turn on the toggle switch.
Toggle the switch to allow app installations from your preferred browser.
For Android versions 10 and later
To enable ‘Install Unknown Apps’ in Android 10 and later versions, use the search bar in settings. This is how you do it:
Step 1: Look for ‘Install Unknown Apps.’
Open the Settings app on your Android phone (Android 10 and later) and search the settings search bar for “Install Unknown Apps.”
Step 2: In the Special app access, tap Install Unknown Apps.
After you’ve searched, you’ll be taken to a page called ‘Special App Access.’ Scroll to the bottom and select ‘Install Unknown Apps.’
Step 3: Choose your preferred browser or the location of the unknown app.
You’ll be taken to another page where you can specify where the file should come from. It could be from the memory of your phone, your browser, or an online drive. We added it from Google Drive in this case.
Step 4: Turn on the toggle switch.
After you’ve chosen the origin of your file, you’ll be taken to another page where you can enable or disable the toggle button.
For Android versions prior to 8.0
In this version, the procedure is fairly simple.
Step 1: Go to ‘settings’ and look for ‘security.’
Tap on security settings on your Android device (an earlier version of the Android operating system).
Step 2: Check the box to confirm installing from an unknown source.
Tap the box under Device Administration to confirm installing the app from an unknown source.
Step 3: To confirm, click ‘OK.’
You will be warned that you are about to install a potentially harmful APK file. Select ‘OK.’
