Do You Need APK Files to Install Android Apps?

APK files allow users to install applications on their Android devices from outside of Google Play Store. Learn more about what they are and how they work.

Do You Need APK Files to Install Android Apps?

The short answer is yes, you can delete an APK file after successfully installing it on your mobile phone. APK files allow you to install applications on your Android device. They are similar to the APPX files used to install the store applications on Windows 10, as well as to the corresponding package files on other platforms. When you open an APK on your device, it contains instructions for installing it on your phone and provides information about the package itself to your device.

It's perfectly legal to download APK files and use them to install applications from outside the Google Play Store. The APK is just a file format like EXE or ZIP. Google developed the format, but anyone can create and use APK files. An APK file contains all the files needed for an Android program.

An APK file is composed of all the other necessary files that the software requires to install and function properly. Dex files and asset files, resources, certificates and the manifest are all included in the package. The different files are first compiled and then packaged together to form a single APK file. Normally, when you visit Google Play and download or update an application, the store automatically installs the APK for you. One of the main reasons people download APKs is when new applications are leaked ahead of time and are available as APK files for download.

If you want to get the APK version of an application that you have previously installed, you can use AirDroid from the Google Play Store. Now, find the folder where you downloaded the APK file and copy it to the appropriate location in the folders on your device. APK files are nothing more than the files and folders that you can decompress with various programs such as Winzip, WinRAR, etc. If you think that Android's default applications and settings are restrictive and you want to do more with your device, installing APK files is your solution. The surprising element of this news includes the ability to run and install APK files directly from the file explorer. Most developers have the same application available on both platforms (an APK for Android and an IPA for iOS).

If you know how to install applications manually, there are many websites that offer APK files for download. Most devices disable the ability to install an apk file from unofficial sites, due to security issues. Opening an Android app on your Android device only requires that you download it as you would any file and then open it when prompted. Select and check the box next to the application options to warn you if you are about to install a harmful APK file. A file with the APK file extension is a package file used to distribute applications on Google's Android operating system.

Some mobile devices come with a pre-installed file manager, but there are plenty of alternatives in the Google Play Store.

Cora Toelkes
Cora Toelkes

Freelance food lover. Evil zombie enthusiast. Amateur tv expert. Alcohol maven. Total pop culture maven.

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