You are here
Home > Latest Posts > How To & Mods > APK Files : How to download & install

APK Files : How to download & install

app

If you have ever used an Android phone, you must have heard of a term ‘APK’ at any point in your life while using Android. You may be or may not be knowing the exact meaning of APK file. The full form of APK is Android Application Package & it’s a package file format used by the Android Operating System for distribution & installation of mobile apps and some middleware packages. Like in Symbian or Java we had .sis,.sisx or .jar files , same way in Android we have .apk files. It’s just an extension of the files that are made to be supported on Android.

How to Install  APK files??

Previously we posted tutorial on how to install Google Play Store in you Android phone & what are the best Play Store alternatives where you can get apps as well as APK files.

Step 1 : Download APK Files

We have already given you a tutorial of how to install apps from 3rd party app stores. There were some stores that provide direct APKs to any app you want. Some best AP download websites are APKMirror, APK4Fun ,Opera App Store etc. For more information on how to get APKs please visit this section.

Android-APK-file

Step 2 : Enable ‘Unknown Sources’ in settings

Now you have the APK files downloaded in your phone or in your PC. If  it is in PC, then transfer it to the SD card of your phone. After copying it to SD card now enable ‘Unknown Sources’ in settings.

Go to Settings>Security>Unknown Sources

UNknown

Now enable it using the slider.When you’ll try to enable, it’ll give some security warning but you have to tap on ‘OK’. After this, the unknown sources section will be enabled.

Step 3: Use file manager to install the APK file

Now when you have enabled the unknown sources in your phone’s setting,go to the file manager app. If you don’t have a file manager app in your phone, go to Play store & download a file manager for your phone.

Some best file managers are ES File Explorer,Astro File Manager,Root Explorer, Solid Explorer etc. You can download any one of them according to your choice.

Now open the file manager & locate the APK file that you’ve downloaded. Most of the time you”ll find it in the ‘Downloads’ folder of your SD card.  Now tap on the app & it’ll open with two options ‘Package Installer’ or ‘verify & install’ . Now you have to click on ‘Package Installer’ & your file will be installed .

Now you’ll see that the file is installed in your phone & you’ll find it in the app drawer.

Kindly hit the like button if the tutorial was helpful to you.

Shivam Singh
Shivam defines himself as a gadget lover and likes to cover every news related to gadgets. He has more than 4 years of blogging experience and is Senior Editor at GadgetOx. He has been covering Tech and Gadget news on other well-known Tech sites WinCentral and Nokiapoweruser since long. His other interests include driving and traveling. Write to him at Email: [email protected]
Top