How to install the application on Android. How to install applications on Android from a computer via Google Play, via USB How to download a mobile application to your phone
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Unlike iOS and other closed systems, Android developers have provided the ability to install various applications independently, without the participation of Google Play Store and other content stores. Having an .apk file in your hands, you can install a paid application yourself, without paying a penny for it.
"Why resort to self-installation using .apk files?"- you ask, and then that not all applications are presented in the Google Play Store and, moreover, most of them are paid and cost money. All applications for Android have .apk extensions - in fact, this is a kind of archive, the contents of which can be viewed by anyone archivist.
Where to begin?
The first action you need to perform is to allow the installation of applications from unknown sources, go to Settings -> Applications and put a tick next to the item Unknown Sources and click OK.
1. Installing applications using a file manager
After this simple step, you can copy the .apk file to the SD card of your phone. Next, to install the application, you can use any file manager that recognizes and understands apk files. ASTRO File Manager or ES File Explorer are suitable for these purposes.
Launch the file manager, find the apk file, tap on it and install the application using the standard Android installer.
2. Install applications using the application manager
In addition, to simplify the procedure for installing applications for Android, there are special programs - application managers. One such program is SlideME Mobentoo App Installer.
This popular application manager for Android will automatically scan your smartphone's SD card for the presence of apk files and help you quickly, in one click, install the required application. Isn't it convenient?
3. Installing applications using a computer and USB
However, the most convenient way to install Android applications is by connecting your smartphone to your computer via a USB cable. To do this, you will need the InstallAPK program and USB drivers. Install it on your computer, don’t forget about the drivers, connect your smartphone via USB cable and double-click on the apk file.
InstallAPK will automatically identify the apk file and start installing the application on your Android phone. You will only need to agree to install the application and click the "Install" button.
4. Other ways to install Android applications
If you do not want to install any additional programs, then you can install the application from apk files the old-fashioned way. Launch a standard Android browser and enter the following link in the browser's address bar and the installation will start automatically:
content://com.android.htmlfileprovider/sdcard/FileName.apk
This method is not very convenient and is suitable for those who rarely install programs for Android.
Conclusion
In this article, we tried to describe all the methods known to us for installing an Android application from apk files. If you know other ways to install programs, write to us about them in the comments and we will definitely include these methods in this article. Stay with us.
If you have just now decided to switch from a push-button mobile phone to a smartphone running Android, then some difficulties await you. It is quite possible that at first you will be thinking about how to install the program. Of course, you can limit yourself to pre-installed applications. But quickly enough you will exhaust their potential, you will want more. Therefore, we recommend that you read this article - it describes all the methods for installing applications.
Even at the dawn of its operating system, Google tried to make it easier to install additional applications. For this purpose, the American giant created a separate online store, called Google Play. It can be accessed using the program Play Market, which is available on almost every smartphone running Android. It is not available only on the cheapest devices from nameless Chinese companies that have not undergone special testing and licensing.
You will also need to access the online store. Creating it will not be difficult, as you will see if you read our separate material. It is recommended to use the same account on different smartphones; in this case, it will be much easier to find and install your favorite applications.
Installing the application on Android via Google Play is very simple. To do this, do the following:
Step 1. Go to Play Market. You will find the icon of this client on the desktop or, as a last resort, in the menu.
Step 2. You will be taken to the Google Play home page. You can try to find the application you are interested in using it, or use the search bar located at the very top.
Step 3. When you get to the program or game page, click on the green button “ Install" The download process will begin immediately, after which the installation will begin. If you are going to install the game, you may be offered to download it via Wi-Fi to save traffic. Whether you agree with this is up to you to decide.
Using a computer and its browser
Not everyone knows about this, but Google Play supports remote installation of programs and games. This means that you do not have to access the online store from the exact smartphone or tablet on which the application you need will be installed. You can use a computer instead. It doesn’t matter which operating system is installed on it - Windows, Mac OS or Chrome OS. You just need to have an Internet browser on your PC. With its help you must do the following:
Step 8 Go to the folder " Downloads"(Download).
Step 9 Click on the APK file.
Step 10 Click on the button Install" Grant the app all permissions if it requires it.
This completes the installation. The icon will not appear on the desktop - you will have to look for it in the menu. Regarding the APK file in the " Downloads", then it can now be deleted.
Using a card reader and other methods
If the USB connection does not suit you, then you can use other methods to transfer the APK file. For example, you can remove it from the device and insert it into a card reader. If you have it, then you should be able to use it, and therefore we will not describe the entire procedure.
You can also use a wireless connection. For example, the application is ideal for these purposes Airdroid, which is distributed on Google Play completely free of charge. You can read about this and other methods of connecting to a computer in the article “”.
Installing an application on a memory card
If you have a memory card installed, then many applications will automatically be installed on it. The exception is special utilities that should be located only in the built-in memory.
You can move applications to the SD card at any time. This is done as follows:
Step 1. Go to " Settings».
Step 2. Go to the section " Application Manager" It may also be called " Applications" If you have a tablet, you must first go to the “ Are common».
Step 3. Go to the " SD memory card" All programs and games that can be moved to external memory are displayed here.
Step 4. Click on the application you want to move. In the menu that opens, click on the button " To SD memory card" It may also be called " To SD card».
All we have to do is wait for the result!
Owners of Android devices who do not have the ability to connect to a wireless Wi-Fi network very often wonder whether they can connect from a computer with Internet access. This is done quite simply. Let's look at a few basic options.
How to install applications on Android from a computer: basic options
Of course, the easiest way to install an application or game you like on your mobile device is to directly access the Google Play service from the gadget or an Internet resource with the program, if it is not available in the official repository. But there are situations when there is no wireless network at home. In this case, you can only use a directly connected computer.
This is where the problem arises: how to do it from a computer (Google Play is not available due to lack of connection on the mobile device)? There is an exit. The simplest methods for installing applications are the following:
- Using access to Google Play through any web browser.
- Installation of downloaded applications as APK files.
- Installation using computer management utilities.
How to install applications on Android from a computer via Google Play?
The first and easiest method is to use the most common Internet browser. We assume that the mobile device is already connected. If there is no connection via the USB cable, you can connect it in the following steps.
So, first in the browser we enter the official page of the Google Play service. It looks exactly the same as on a smartphone, except that the size is larger. First, you need to log in by entering your registered Gmail email address (login) and password into the appropriate fields. Next, find the desired application or game. To do this, you can use the search bar or select a program by popularity rating, category, installation type (paid, free), etc.
After this, you should connect the device to the computer and go through identification directly, if the account is not activated by default. When it is synchronized on the computer and mobile device, the compatibility of the downloaded software with the Android device will be determined automatically.
Now all that remains is to click on the start installation button. After this, the service will prompt you to select the device on which you intend to install the selected application. There may be several of them on the list. Perhaps the user has both a tablet and a smartphone. All devices to which the account was previously linked will be marked in gray. Select the connected device, click the install button and wait for the process to complete.
Installing applications downloaded from unofficial resources
Now consider the issue of downloading from a computer from third-party Internet resources. But here you will need to perform several preliminary steps.
First, you need to go to the settings on your device and select the security section. You should check the box next to Allow installation from unknown sources. Otherwise, the system will not allow you to install the program from a standard APK file. Download the required file to your computer. After that, copy it to the removable storage device of your mobile device (SD card). Next, installation is performed directly from the device. This applies to cases when the computer system does not have a single program for controlling a smartphone or tablet.
Installing applications with cache
Now let's see, HTC devices or devices from other manufacturers (there is no difference), for which a prerequisite is to create a cache folder on the mobile gadget and copy the necessary content into it (as a rule, when downloading, the installer and cache are downloaded separately). The installation principle is the same as in the previous case. The installation APK file is copied to the device, and then the main program files are installed.
After this, using any file manager, the same standard Windows Explorer or the corresponding program on a mobile device, you need to create the obb folder in the data directory of the Android directory. Although usually cache data downloaded from the Internet is located in exactly this folder after unpacking the archive. All that remains is to copy it to the desired location. If the obb folder already exists on the device, only the contents of the original downloaded directory are copied into it.
Note: Do not confuse the sdcard directory with the SD card! In the Android system, the sdcard is an internal storage device. The full path to the cache folder is sdcard/Android/data/obb/. Sometimes it can be sdcard/Android/obb/ or other variations. A striking example is the installation of a mobile version of the popular music sequencer FL Studio. True, in addition to copying the cache, you will have to work hard here, since you will need to create a tools folder. But for most programs such actions are not required.
Using Control Programs
Finally, one of the universal solutions to the problem of how to install applications on Android from a computer is to use special programs for managing mobile devices. Which one will be chosen is not so important. The general installation principle is that a connection must be established between the computer and the mobile device (USB cable, Bluetooth or Wi-fi). Let's look at the simplest option of how to install applications on Android from a computer via a USB connection using applications like Mobogenie or highly specialized programs like Sony PC Companion and the like.
There are several options here. For example, you can specify the installation from a file saved on your computer, as is the case with Sony PC Companion. Or you can select the application directly from the program (Mobogenie) in a special section. Or even with its help, go to the same practically no different from the methods described above, which in this case are simply combined into one whole.
But the advantage of applications like Mobogenie is that they are able to emulate Android on Windows or any other OS. In other words, a game or program installed on a mobile device can be launched through a control application directly on a computer or laptop.
Conclusion
As can be seen from all of the above, the problem of how to install applications on Android from a computer is solved quite simply. What to give preference to? Installation via a browser from the official service seems to be the easiest, but authorization is required. Copying the installation file to the device looks more attractive in this regard, but it requires setting permissions and preliminary checking the distribution for viruses. Many people will also enjoy using control utilities, but they also need to be installed on the PC first. So the question of preference and choice of installation type remains with the user.
What should a person do who has purchased a smartphone on the Android OS for the first time in his life and does not know how to use it? There are a large number of instructional articles on how to use and configure the device. But there are few places where you can find out how to download applications on Android. The process of downloading, installing and uninstalling applications on any Android smartphone will be discussed and described.
Some facts
It's no longer a secret that the best applications for Android became free a long time ago. Of course, there are their share of developers who require the user to pay, but most often such programs have free analogues. No, this is not a call to use just such applications, but just an explanation of the current situation on the Play Market. Also, Russian applications for Android are becoming very popular these days, which are sometimes no worse than their foreign counterparts.
The main classification of applications available for download on the Play Market consists of the sections “Games”, “Best”, “Editor’s Choice” and “Family”. There is also sorting by sections, which will be discussed in more detail later.
Set of standard applications
So, in your hands lies a treasured smartphone based on the Android OS. It's already turned on, activated and ready to go. It is worth considering all the applications that are provided “bundled” with the operating system. It should be mentioned right away that, depending on the manufacturer, device and version of Android, the set of pre-installed applications may change, but the main ones are most often the same.
Among the main applications it is worth highlighting “Phone”, “Messages” and “Contacts”. The “Music” application for Android will give you the opportunity to listen to your favorite tracks, the “Camera” application will allow you to take pictures of the best moments (if available), and the “Gallery” application, in turn, will show an archive of photos and videos, not only taken on a smartphone, but also downloaded via a USB cable or the Internet. Standard applications also include Clock, Mail, Calendar, Notes and Explorer, which allows you to delete, move and copy various files located on any storage media.
But sometimes this set is not enough. For example, the standard Music application for Android does not suit everyone, so you can always download third-party software. All you need to do is go to the pre-installed Play Market application and download. Below are instructions on how to do this.
Internet connection
The first step is to make sure you have an Internet connection. There are two options here: connecting via mobile data (Internet directly via cellular connection) or via Wi-Fi. While everything is clear with the first choice (you must take into account that the provider may charge a separate fee for using the mobile Internet), the Wi-Fi option requires clarification.
For those who don't know, to connect to the Internet using Wi-Fi you need to have an access point. It can be a router located in the user’s apartment, through which a PC, laptop or TV is connected, or any free access point in public places. As a result, to connect to the Internet, you should go to the “Settings” menu and then select the required item: “SIM card management” - set the “Data transfer” checkbox to the “Enabled” mode, or use the “Wi-Fi” submenu and make a connection to the access point. The first step is completed.
Creating a Google Account
So, after successfully connecting to the Internet, you need to make sure that an account for managing web services, such as Play Market, Gmail and others, is configured on the device. To do this, in the “Settings” menu, you need to select “Accounts and synchronization” (in rare cases, the location of this submenu may change, so you may have to search). All you need to do is click on the “Add” button and select the account type (in this case, Google). After this, following simple and intuitive steps, you should create an account, indicating the desired email address, its password and personal information (full name, date of birth). After completing all the steps, an account will be automatically created and you can start working.
First visit to Play Market
In order to understand how to download applications on Android, you must fulfill the two previous conditions. After that, you can launch the Play Market and plunge headlong into the “sea” of applications with the limitless imagination of developers and unique content.
When you first launch, you should read the privacy policy and terms of use - this will be prompted by the application itself. You also need to decide whether you want to receive Google Play newsletters. The application itself is divided into two parts: “Games and applications” and “Entertainment”, which correspond to tabs at the top of the screen. This article only covers the first tab.
The first thing that appears is the search bar with the words “Google Play”. If you need to download a specific application or know an incomplete name, you can use the search, and the Play Market will automatically present the most suitable applications for the search query.
Below is a block of primary navigation buttons. The best applications for Android, respectively, are located on the “Best” link. In the “Games” section you can find applications of the appropriate direction for every taste and color. Under the “Categories” link there is a list of games and programs that are sorted according to their topics. “For the whole family” - here you can find both games and applications that will interest both children and their parents. The last link is called “Editor's Choice” and is a general list of applications selected directly by Google Play employees for everyday comfortable use.
Installing applications and games
To directly download an application or game, you need to click on the “Install” button and accept the installation conditions. After this, the download process will begin. Its speed depends on the size of the software, the speed of the Internet connection and the performance of the smartphone. The language of the Android application will be selected automatically in accordance with the selected OS interface language. When the installation process is complete, you can click on the “Open” button. The application will launch.
other methods
How to download applications on Android from the Play Market is, in principle, clear. But there is another way - installing games and programs manually. All that is required is to download it to your smartphone via transfer from a PC or from an external flash drive. After this, you need to find the corresponding file using Explorer and click on it to install.
It should be noted that this action will require special permission to install applications from unknown sources. To do this, in the “Settings” menu, you need to select the “Privacy” sub-item and check the “Unknown sources” checkbox.
The first and main advice: you should not install applications that you are not sure about, or they were obtained from unknown resources. After all, among them there may be malicious programs that can disable the operating system and prevent you from using your smartphone. When installing such applications, it should be mentioned that everything is done at the user’s own risk, and no one except himself bears responsibility for this.
It is also necessary to understand that in different versions of Android, the names of certain pre-installed applications and menu items may differ, but the process itself is the same. And I would like to add that figuring out how to download applications on Android is not so difficult. The main thing is to have a little patience, and everything will definitely work out.
Most users tend to install applications on their mobile devices from official sources. In the case of Android OS, this is the Google Play store. The main advantage of this method of installing programs is regular updates. Google does not recommend, but still allows you to install applications on your smartphone or tablet that you downloaded from other sources. However, you will not be able to receive updates for them. As it turns out, there are solutions here too to always have the latest versions of applications on your device.
There may be several reasons for this. For example, some developers do not want to publish their programs on Google Play, while others are prohibited from doing so by Google if their software product violates the posting rules. Often, large companies, for one reason or another, can establish regional restrictions on access to their applications - a striking example of this case is the game Pokémon GO or the official client of the music streaming service Spotify, which are still not available in the Ukrainian segment of the application store.
We should not exclude the fact that Google Play does not work in some countries, including China. Accordingly, branded shells of Chinese mobile devices intended for sale in the domestic market do not contain Google services. And the last reason is that recently, users of smartphones and tablets are independently abandoning Google services in favor of increasing the autonomy of the device.
The only way to install the application on a smartphone or tablet in such cases is to download its APK file from other resources.
Where can I get Android apps other than Google Play?
There are plenty of such resources on the Internet, but not so many that are reputable and, importantly, safe. One of the most popular is the APK Downloader web service, which allows you to download application installation files from the Google Play store. To do this, simply insert the address of the page of the desired program on Google Play into the search bar and click the “Generate Download Link” button. APK Downloader will download the application and provide a direct link to the APK file.
Other sources for downloading programs are APKMirror and APKPure. Let’s make a reservation right away that these sites do not contain paid programs, but are repositories of free applications, essentially a kind of “mirror” of Google Play. APKMirror, in turn, includes programs not published in the official store, as well as experimental versions of applications.
Regardless of which resource you choose, you must allow installation of applications from unknown sources in your device settings.
How to update applications installed from unofficial sources?
The only problem with installing apps from third-party sources is that you won't receive updates. This applies to cases where you do not have Google services or the installed application is not available in your region. Therefore, to update the program, you will have to download the new version again. But there is a better way - these are special applications.
APKUpdater
APKUpdater is a small utility that searches for updates for all installed applications on the device and notifies you when they are available. The program has only two tabs: the first displays a list of all available applications, and the second contains updates available for them.
If a new version of the application exists, the utility displays a link to download it. APKUpdater searches for updates not only in the official Google Play store (via APK Downloader), but also on APKMirror and APKPure resources. Thus, in a couple of clicks you can update all applications installed from unofficial sources, and even those that are not on Google Play.
In APKUpdater settings you can select or exclude certain sources: Google Play, APKMirror and APKPure. In addition to release updates, the utility allows you to receive alpha and beta versions of applications. APKUpdater can check for updates in the background and notify the user about it. This action can be set to repeat daily or weekly.
In general, APKUpdater acts more as a tool for searching for new versions of installed applications, with which you can always keep programs on your smartphone or tablet up to date. If the utility could update applications independently, this would be an ideal solution.
APKPure App
APKPure App is an alternative application store that is an official client of the APKPure service. Unlike APKUpdater, the utility allows you to search and download APK files of games and applications from only one source.
APKPure has a simple, classic interface and a convenient content structure. The main advantage of the application is the ability to update installed programs. The utility automatically detects the presence of new versions of applications and notifies the user about it. In addition, APKPure has the function of auto-installing downloaded APK files and removing software packages after installation.
As you can see, there are worthy alternatives to the Google Play store, so if the latter is not available, you can always install almost any application on your smartphone or tablet.