Some smartphone owners are not even aware that games and applications can be downloaded not only from Google Play. Like Windows, the Android operating system allows you to download and install the application as a separate file. But if computer programs have the .exe extension, then the installation file with the mobile utility has the .apk extension.
Consequences of installation
By default, almost any smartphone does not allow you to install programs and games from other sources. What is it connected with?
- First, Google receives a certain percentage of the sale of each application. It is simply unprofitable for her to give users the opportunity to search for games and programs anywhere else.
- Secondly, the Google Play online store makes it much easier to find any application, and also publishes reviews on it. In this regard, the company is doing its best to teach users to download software only from Google Play.
- Thirdly, a virus may well be hiding on third-party resources under the guise of a very useful utility.
Attention: some sites really hide viruses under the guise of applications. Usually their action is to send SMS to expensive short numbers. This problem is partly solved in Android 6.0, where you can prevent any program from doing anything you don't like.
It should be remembered that if you decide to install the APK file on Android, then you should not rely on its subsequent update. The fact is that only those applications that have been installed through the aforementioned Google Play can be updated on a smartphone.
Installing the APK file
You can download a file with the .apk extension either using a computer or directly to a smartphone using an Internet browser. If you decide to use a computer, then you need to transfer the file to your mobile device. The easiest way to do this is by connecting it with a USB cable. Then all that remains is to throw the APK file into the folder Download or any other.
If, when connected to a computer, the device does not want to give you access to the file system, then go to " Settings"and go to the section" For developers».
Here you should check the box next to the item " USB Debugging».
Now you can definitely transfer the file to your smartphone. But that is not all! Now you need to run it in order to start the installation process. To do this, use any file manager. This could be ES Explorer or a utility with the simplest name file manager(“Explorer” in the Russian version of the online store). With the help of such a program, you need to go to the folder Download(if the APK file is downloaded there). The next step is to click on the file.
The last step is to confirm the installation of the application. Along the way, the device will tell you exactly what permissions the program requires. On Android 6.0, permissions are already issued while using the application, as it accesses certain parts of the operating system.
If, when you click on the APK file, a window pops up stating that it is impossible to install, then you should use the following instructions:
1. Exit the smartphone menu and go to " Settings».
2. Go to the section " Security».
3. Activate the checkbox next to " unknown sources».
4. Now return to the file manager to try installing the application again.
That's all. This completes the installation. You can see the shortcut of the new program in the menu - you will have to drag it to the desktop manually, it will not automatically appear there.
In 2008, Google opened an online app store for Android. All you need to use it is a Gmail account and internet access. Meanwhile, there are other ways, and today we will talk about how to install the application on Android from a computer.
Web version of Google
You can use Google Play not only from a mobile device. By registering under your account, you can enter it through a computer. All the programs hosted in the store are available in the store's web interface, and Good Corporation will automatically check compatibility with your devices. Using the search, select the application of interest and click "Install".
Google will verify that your password is correct by making sure that you are the one logged into your account, after which the window shown in the screenshot will appear. At the top, a selection menu is available. It displays the last used device, and a drop-down list allows you to select the one you need. After reviewing the permissions that the application requests, re-agree with the installation. After some time, the Android device will signal that the application requested in the store has been automatically installed.
Installation file
For various reasons, not all applications get into the official Google store. As a current example, let's recall the versions of the mobile client of one popular social network upgraded by enthusiasts, allowing you to download the music hosted in it to a mobile device. The application has been removed from the store, but you can find it as an installation package. All programs that can be installed on devices using the "green robot" have the "apk" extension. After downloading such a file to your computer, you can use it for its intended purpose in several ways.
USB connection
Almost any mobile device can be connected to a computer using USB. To do this, you need to put it in debug mode, and in the "Security" settings section, check the possibility of installing from "unknown" sources.
This term refers to all software that gets on Android bypassing the Google Play store, which has not passed moderation in it or has been excluded. After copying the "apk" file to the device's memory, you can open it in the built-in file manager and start the installation. Third-party file management applications, such as ES File Explorer or the mobile version of Total Commander, may also be suitable for this purpose.
Recording to an SD card
When the SD card installed in the phone for memory expansion is used in file storage mode, it can be used to transfer applications from a computer to a mobile device. After connecting it through a card reader, in flash drive mode, write down the necessary installation packages and return it to the phone.
In the file manager, find the folder with the recorded files and start the installation using the operating system.
Windows installers
The presence of special utilities designed to work with “apk” files in Windows allows you to install a third-party application on your smartphone in two clicks. Previously, on the Android device, you will need to enable USB debugging in the options intended for developers and allow installation of software from "unknown" sources.
It will take longer to prepare the computer. First you need to install ADB drivers on it. You can get them as part of the Software Developer Kit for Android developers or by downloading a separate archive. Then the InstallAPK program is installed. If everything is done correctly, then the device is detected when connected via USB and you can work with it.
You can find pre-downloaded applications using the standard Windows Explorer and launch them like any other program by double-clicking.
adb driver and command line
If the previous method seemed complicated to you, you don’t even have to start this. Users who have worked with ADB and are familiar with the Windows command line can use it to install programs through a PC. The method of connecting the device will be similar to the one already used. You mark on the smartphone the items necessary for interaction via a USB cable, and by launching the command line you get to work.
The screenshot shows the command given to install the hello_world.apk test application and the result of this operation. With a little skill, any necessary applications are installed in this way, while obtaining root access to the device is not required.
Results
Now that you know how to install applications on Android using a computer, you can choose the most convenient and least costly option for you.
In most cases, applications Android is installed through the Google Play app store. But, sometimes it becomes necessary to install an application downloaded from third-party sites. If you are faced with a similar problem and do not know how, then this article should help you.
Step no. Allow installation of applications from unknown sources.
First, we need to enable the installation of applications from unknown sources. This is done directly on your Android device. Open the settings and find the "Security" section. In this section, you need to find and enable the "Unknown sources" feature.
After enabling this feature, you will be able to install applications not only from Google Play, but also from any other sources.
Step #2: Copy the APK file you want to install to your Android device.
The next step is copying to the device's memory. If the APK file is on your computer, then you need to connect your Android device to your computer using a USB cable and copy the APK file to the device's memory. When copying, both in the built-in memory and on a microSD memory card.
You can also download the APK file directly to your Android device. In this case, you won't have to copy anything and you can skip this step.
Step number 3. We start the installation of the APK file on Android.
After you have enabled the installation of applications from unknown sources and copied the APK file to the device's memory, you can proceed directly to the installation itself. In order to install the APK file on your Android device, you just need to open it.
To do this, launch any file manager, . After that, a pop-up window will appear on the screen asking you to install this application.
Usually does not cause difficulties even for inexperienced users. Since the installation process here is as simple as possible, I clicked on the "Install" button and the application was installed.
But, when the user is faced with the task of installing an application from the APK file that is on the computer, this can already create some difficulties. If you find yourself in such a situation, then this material should help you, here you can learn how to install APK from a computer to Android.
Step number 1. Allow installation of applications from unknown sources in the settings of your Android smartphone.
By default, Android devices can only be accessed from the Play Market app store. In order to be able to install APK files from your computer, you need to allow installation of applications from unknown sources. To do this, go to the settings of your Android device and go to the "Security" section.
After that, enable the "Unknown Sources" feature.
After enabling this feature, you will be able to install any APK files.
Step #2. Transfer the APK file from your computer to your Android device's memory.
The next step is to copy the desired APK file from the computer to the memory of the Android device. To do this, you can connect your Android device to your computer using a USB cable. If you wish, you can use other ways to transfer the APK file. For example, you can drop it using Bluetooth.
With this, you can copy the APK file to any folder on your device. The main thing is that you remember where you copied the APK file.
Step #3. Run the APK file on your Android device.
In order to complete the installation of the APK file from a computer to an Android device, you need to run this APK file. To do this, you need to use any file manager. If your device does not have a file manager, then you can install it from the Play Market. There are many free file managers available.
Launch the file manager, open the folder where you copied the APK file and run it. After launching the APK file, a window will appear on the screen asking you to install the application. In order to install the APK file, simply click on the "Next" button.
After that, the application will be installed on your Android device. After the installation is complete, the icon of the installed application will appear on the desktop. Also, the icon of the new application will appear in the list of all applications.
It is not always possible to find the right application for a mobile gadget with Android in the Google store. Sometimes there is a need for a utility from a third-party source, which can be installed after downloading a special APK file. Next, let's look at what data with the specified extension is and how to install APK on Android.
What is an APK archive
The abbreviation stands for Android Package and is essentially a regular archive with an executable and all the files necessary for work. After a closer look at its structure, you can already learn more about what an APK is:
- The META-INF section includes data on the checksums of all files, certificates.
- LIB - folder with linux libraries for processors of various mobile devices, for example, ARMv6 and v7, mips, etc.
- AndroidManifest.xml (the so-called manifest file) is a utility configuration file with its description, name, version, and other similar data.
- Classes.dex is the main part of the APK archive for Android with the executable program code.
You can see the structure of this data yourself if you know how to open the APK. In fact, you probably won’t have to download any additional software for this on a PC. This data is essentially a ZIP archive, so it can be opened by any archiver installed in the system - WinRAR, 7-Zip, etc.
How to set up a gadget to install an APK archive
By default on Android, the ability to install apps from sources other than Google Play is disabled. Next, we will consider how to launch this function, but at the same time, you need to understand that by doing this you multiply the risk of letting a Trojan into your device. So, to allow the installation of APK files on Android:
A warning window will appear warning that the system is vulnerable to attack after the settings have been changed accordingly. Confirm your decision, after which you can install the APK file from any source on your mobile device.
Next, we will describe how to install a program not from the Google store. Most often, APK files are installed on mobile gadgets using a standard file manager or a similar utility with the ability to launch application installation. To do this, you can use, for example, the popular ES File Explorer or ASTRO File Manager on the device. Further:
Next, start the installation procedure, and the system will do the rest automatically. Let us remind you once again that you need to carefully read the permissions for programs when installing APK on Android from third-party sources, because utilities in them are often not checked for malicious code. Therefore, under no circumstances should a simple “flashlight” have access, for example, to your SMS.
Using the Application Manager
These are special applications for mobile gadgets that make it as easy as possible to install a mobile program on Android from any source. For example, it is convenient to use a very small and fast installer "Install (Install APK)". It has the following features:
- Autoscanning the gadget's memory for installation distributions;
- Batch installation or removal of several selected programs;
- The ability to install mobile utilities both from an external device card and from Google Play.
In a word, the main advantage of the installer is the presence of autoscanning and the absence of the need to look for the downloaded extension in the explorer.
Installing third-party utilities through a computer
We will describe how to install the downloaded distribution on Android from a computer without downloading it to an SD card. To do this, the phone does not even need root-rights. But for this, you first have to change the device settings a little:
- In the general settings of your phone, open the "Developer options" section.
- Check the box next to USB Debugging.
After that, to work with your smartphone, install the InstAllAPK Windows application and connect the gadget via USB to a laptop or PC in charging mode (you do not need to connect it as a drive). Before clicking on the utility shortcut on the desktop, “wake up” the phone connected via cable (so that the display lights up). Further:
