Install APK on your Android Device – An APK file is an app created for Android, Google’s mobile operating system. Some apps come pre-installed on Android devices, while other apps can be …
APK stands for Android Package Kit (Android Application Package) and is the file format that Android uses to distribute and install apps. On your device, it also contains all the elements that an app needs to install correctly.
Contents
Why Use an APK?
Install APK on Your Android Device – If you have ever installed an application from Google Play Store before, then this task unintentionally installed the application’s APK file on your Android device. Clicking on the green install button automatically transfers the APK file to your Android phone from Google Play Store and runs it for you.
How to Install an APK on your Android device
Before installing an app using an APK file other than Google Play Store, we must ensure that our Android phone settings can install third-party apps. This App can be checked under the “Security” tab or the Setting menu. Generally, this option says install from unknown sources allows third-party installations. However, the newer Android versions of phones are a little more different.
For Android 8 and above
The Settings are slightly different based on the device version or device model.
On Samsung Devices:
- Launch your phone’s Settings.
- Go to Biometrics and security and tap on the Install unknown apps.
- Next, choose & Select your preferred browser such as Samsung Internet, Chrome, or Firefox using which you want to download the APK files.
- Enable the toggle to installs apps.
On Non-Samsung Devices:
- Launch your device’s Settings.
- Click on the security & privacy.
- Click on the Unknown source installations under the APP INSTALLATION section.
- To download the APK files, Select your preferred browser such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox using which you want.
- Enable the toggle button that allows app installs.
For versions earlier than Android 8
- Launch the device’s Settings
- Tap on the Security.
- Under the Device administration section, Switch the Unknown sources.
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Install an Android File Manager
Now that you’ve configured your phone to let you install unknown apps, you’ll need a way to find the application file (APK file) on your phone so that you can run it.
Android phones typically come with a file manager app you can use, but if you don’t have one, search for one on Google Play. The best options are Cx File Explorer and File Manager. On an Android device, you also need to install a “File Manager” app after the configuration of third-party app installation. It helps it easy to locate your APK file on your smartphone so that you can run it to install.
In Google Playstore, there are several Android File Manager apps you can find. You can download one of them, which you prefer more, and this app locates the APK file once it is transferred to your phone.
Download the APK Installer From Your Android
The easiest way to install an APK file on your Android is to download the file using the default browser, Chrome.
To download the APK file, find a website offering the Android app and click on the link. Accept any pop-ups, including “This type of file can harm your device.” Only download APK files from reputable sources.
If your phone’s web browser doesn’t give you the option to open the file after downloading, open your file explorer app, go to the Downloads folder on your device, then tap the APK file.
Allow the app any required permissions it asks for. Then, at the bottom of the installer window, tap Install.
Now you can see the app available in your list of installed apps.
How to Install the APK Files From your computer
- On your computer, visit a website that provides APK files for Android, search for APK files, and download it to your PC.
- Make sure that third-party apps installation is enabled on your Android device.
- Now, With a USB cable, connect your Android device with your computer.
- When you connect your Android device with a PC, it may ask whether you want to charge your phone or connect to media or file transfer. Choose a file transfer option.
- Look for your phone’s folder on your PC. It may be in the name of your phone’s name of PC suit under “My Computer” on Windows.
- In your chosen folder, Copy the downloaded APK file from your computer to your Android device.
- Search for the APK file’s location on your Android device Using the file manager application.
- Once you find the APK file, tap on it to install.
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