Extension apk. What is apk on android and how to use it

Remember how programs are installed on a computer? That's right, each operating system has its own format, the files with the resolution of which are the installation packages. For Windows, this is * .exe. Everything is clear with the computer, but ... I had an android smartphone in my hand, I wanted to install programs there, they advised me to “upload apk and install” ... But you have never heard such a word. Let's figure it out what is apk for android.

Apk and android: a bit of theory

Apk is the installation package format for the Android operating system. It is a single file, the name of which is apk after the dot.
The file itself is an archive in which all the necessary information lies - these are images, program code and program components, how to behave on such and such a device, and so on.

You can open the file using a conventional archiver, and even better from the total commander. This is for those who are especially interested to see what is inside.

Files are needed in order to independently install third-party applications, which are either not on the market, or are too lazy to look for them there. How to install, watch and read below.

Apk and android: use and installation

After determining the program that you want to see on your smartphone, you need to find a link on the network and download the installation file to your computer.
Then connect your smartphone to the computer using the USB cable and copy the installation file to the memory card or to the phone itself. In addition to this option, you can download the file directly to your phone, transfer it via wi-fi, Bluetooth. The main thing is to get it.

Once the file is in your smartphone, you need to go into the settings and allow the system to install applications “from the side”. Go to settings, menu item "Security" and put a checkmark next to the item "Unknown developers". Names may vary, but the point is hopefully clear.

After that, go to any file manager and click on the installation file. Confirm the terms and voila - the program is installed without visiting the Play Market.

In the end, we note again what apk is for android. It is at the same time:

1) the installation file of the program;
2) another way to install the program on your smartphone, without a market;
3) the possibility of losing valuable personal information, money or even a smartphone breakdown. Many write applications and insert hidden code into them that manipulates your means, data, smartphone, and sometimes all at once.

If you have an Android smartphone, tablet or other device based on this operating system, then you probably came across the word “APK”. But, not all users of the Android operating system know what the APK is.

APK or Android Package are files in which Android applications are distributed. An APK file is an archive that contains the executable code of the application, as well as other files and resources necessary for the application to work. APK files are not encrypted and are part of the well-known ZIP format.

What is inside the APK file?

APK files have a well-defined structure.

- MANIFEST.MF - file with data about other files located in this archive (file checksums);
- CERT.RSA - certificate by which the application is signed;
- CERT.SF - file with certificate and resource data;
- armeabi - for ARMv6 processors and older;
- armeabi-v7a - for ARMv7 processors and newer;
- x86 - for processors with x86 architecture;
- mips - for MIPS processors;
res - resources not contained in resources.arsc (see below).
Assets — The resources used by the AssetManager.
AndroidManifest.xml - application description file. This file contains the name, package name, version, as well as other data related to this application.
classes.dex - executable code in the DEX format;
resources.arsc - compiled resources;

View the contents of the APK file is very simple and anyone can do it. All you need to do is open the APK file with any archiver. For example, you can use the free 7Zip archiver.

Where to get the apk file?

You can download and install the APK file from the Google Play app store. You can also download APKs from other sites that distribute software. Often, an APK file can be downloaded from the app’s developer site.

How to install APK files?

Installing APK files downloaded from Google Play is automatic. If you need that you downloaded from another site, then you need to enable the installation of programs from unknown sources and run the APK file on your Android device. After that, you will see a warning about installing the application. Click “OK” to start the installation process.

To install applications on Android devices, use the Play Market store. It has almost any software that an average user needs. But some programs are still missing. If there is no software, but it is really needed, you should find the APK-file with the application and install it manually. How to install the APK file on Android and do I need some special software for this?

If you need some kind of application that is not in the Play Market, you need to download it from a third-party source. All Android programs are files with the * .apk extension installed from any sources. There are a lot of archives with programs on the Internet, so we need to learn how to install third-party software. To do this, you need an ordinary file manager.

The easiest way to install a third-party application is to download it using the built-in browser.. The downloaded file will appear in the download list. By tapping on it with a finger, we start the installation. The program will offer you to read the permissions, after which we will only have to click on the "Install" button. The procedure ends very simply - click on the "Finish" button or run the installed application immediately after its installation.

If your Android device has informed that installing software from third-party sources is not allowed, you need to set a special checkmark in the settings. It is located in the Settings - Security menu and is called Unknown Sources. Now we can easily install any third-party software on our smartphone or tablet.

One-time permission to install the application from a third-party source can be set at the time of starting the installation - the system itself will offer to go to the settings and redirect the user to the desired menu.

You can also upload third-party APK-files through the computer - just drop them into a convenient folder in the internal memory of the device or on a memory card. After that, use the file manager to go to the specified folder and run the installation. If your computer or laptop has Bluetooth, you can transfer the file wirelessly and start installing it using any file manager.

How to install APK files on Android using a computer in semi-automatic mode? This can be done using the special AirDroid service. Install the client part on a smartphone or tablet, run. We launch the service website on the computer, and with the help of a smartphone we photograph the QR code displayed on the screen - the devices will connect, and locally. On the computer screen you will see a special menu for downloading APK files and installing them - this is very convenient, since you can install a large number of third-party applications in one session.

Special programs, such as Install APK from the developer of Rhythm Software, will help install the APK file on Android. The program combines the installer and the file manager. If you often install programs from third-party sources, then it will definitely come in handy. Features of the program:

Single installation of APK files;
Batch installation of APK files;
Scanning the memory for the presence of APK files;
Search for applications in the memory of a smartphone or tablet;
Display information about programs;
Search for apps on the Play Market.

Using the program is very easy - upload the APK-files to the smartphone’s memory or to the memory card, run the Install APK, find the downloaded files and run the installation. You can also use many other applications from the Play Market for this procedure.

When installing applications from third-party sources, be careful not to download everything - this can lead to loss of information and virus infection of your Android device. We recommend that you scan downloaded files with antivirus software.

Today we’ll figure it out how to run apk on a tablet. Sometimes it becomes necessary to install an application from a file, for example, if it is not in the “Play Market”. Or if they passed it to you on bluetooth. In Android operating systems, this method is provided. The main advantage of such an installation is that the Internet is not required.

How to run apk on tablet and phone

First open the "Settings";

Scroll down and find the “Security” item (depending on the version of the android, it may be called “Applications” and “Application Settings”);

On the contrary, “Unknown sources”, check the box and confirm the choice;

Next, we need any file manager (if you already have such an application installed, proceed to the next step). To install it, go to the "Play Market", in the search bar, enter "ES Explorer" and install the first application from the list;

Go to "ES Explorer" or any other file manager, select your file and run;

Your application will be installed, an icon will appear on the desktop.

Now you know how to run apk on the tablet.

Using special programs

In addition to the installation method described above, there are others. For example, the use of programs that scan all apk files on your device and allow you to quickly install them. The most popular one is “AppsInstaller”, but you can find a lot of others on the Internet.

Tablet launch errors apk

If after starting the installation you will see the message “Syntax error” or “Failed to open the file” - most likely, you need to re-download the file.

The disadvantages of this method. Files downloaded not from the “Play Market” may turn out to be malicious, as they are not checked. Programs can be specially modified to send paid SMS or transfer confidential data to attackers. This is especially true for older versions of Android as well as devices on which ROOT access is installed.

Use antivirus and special access restriction programs to prevent the theft of your data. Choose reliable sources for downloading applications.