Installing apk on android from a computer. How to open an APK file on a computer

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The Google Play application store contains hundreds of thousands of different programs and games. All of them are designed to run on smartphones or tablets. However, why not be able to run them on a computer as well? It won't be redundant. Below are instructions on how to install Android applications on your computer.

A little theory

The initiative to launch Android programs on computers does not belong to some enthusiasts from Southeast Asia, but directly to Google itself. So, a certain developer arc-eng recently posted one of the extensions for the Chrome browser called ARC Welder.

Extensions were originally created for testing by developers of their own software products. Actually, even now it continues to work in the same vein, it has simply become available for download to all owners of the browser of the same name.

ARC Welder's capabilities are based on the ARC (App Runtime for Chrome) tool developed and released last year, which in turn is based on Native Client technology. It is based on the Open Source principle. The browser gained the ability to work with this technology back in 2011, starting with the 14th version of the client.

To get started you will need the following:

Windows, Mac OS X, Linux or Chrome OS computer
installed Chrome browser starting from version 41
installed ARC Welder extension

Instructions for installing Android applications

First you need to install the above extension (link there). Along with the utility, the “Chrome Application Launcher” will be automatically installed, where shortcuts to all the most necessary company services, including ARC Welder, will be collected.

Next, you will need the actual Android application .apk file. You can download it again thanks to a special browser add-on APK Downloader. Using this utility, you can download any software to your computer directly from the Google Play store. Of course, you will need to log in with your account and find out your Device ID. The last identifier is a unique number of your mobile device (smartphone or tablet) and should be automatically found by the system. If the latter does not happen, then you can find out the number using the special application Device id 1.1.2. You can't go anywhere without this.

When you first launch the application, you must select or create a new directory where the files of the installed programs will be written. This can be absolutely any folder with a name of your choice.

The launcher will offer to set display settings: orientation, simulation of opening on a smartphone or tablet, and so on.

When you launch a new program, you can run this procedure every time, or you can, so to speak, once and for all install the icon in the quick launch bar from Google and do it conveniently from there.

To do this we do the following. Click on the “Download ZIP” button and save the program in the folder that you created earlier.

In the specified directory we find the just saved ZIP archive and unpack it here.

The “Load unpacked extension” button appears, which you should click on. We select the same folder into which we unpacked the archive with the application earlier.

Voila! Open the quick launch panel and you can launch utilities directly, without a separate connection with ARK Welder.

I want to say right away that you should not expect stable and bug-free operation of all programs and toys. I tried running Instagram, the games Crossy Road, Clash of clans and Monument Valley.

As a result, only Instagram worked successfully and we even managed to publish a photo. Already something!

apk format (file name.apk) have all application installation files for Android OS. There are several installation methods: using a computer and directly from a mobile device. Remember that all applications that you download on the Internet do not pass anti-virus scanning; to do this, you need to check them on your computer or have an anti-virus on your device.

Ways to install a game or application on an Android device

Manual installation of apk files downloaded to a PC
Installing applications downloaded not from the market on Android
Automatic installation.apk from computer

Install the application using the previous method. Then all you need to do is go into the program and it will automatically start searching for available .ark files on your Android device. When the search is over, you just need to click on the file or select several and click “install”.

The application will run the installation files on its own, you will only need to agree (or not) with access rights. Even if you close the program, the next time you start it you can easily select all uninstalled applications.

AirDroid Features

Installation is automatic
Full work with contacts, messages with the ability to create backup copies
Updating installed programs and installation files
Gives access to manage folders and files on the device
Shows all installed programs
Access to editing and downloading pictures, music, videos from the Internet

In 2008, Google opened an online application store for Android. To use it, you only need a Gmail account and Internet access. Meanwhile, there are other ways, and today we will talk about how to install an application on Android from a computer.

Google web version

You can use Google Play not only from a mobile device. Once you have registered your account, you will be able to log in via your computer. All programs hosted there are available in the store’s web interface, and Good Corporation will automatically check compatibility with your devices. Using the search, select the application you are interested in and click “Install”.

Google will verify that your password is correct, making sure that you are logged into your account, and then 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, agree to the installation again. After some time, the Android device will signal that the application requested from the store has been automatically installed.

Installation file

For various reasons, not all applications make it into the official Google store. As a current example, let us recall the versions of the mobile client of one popular social network, upgraded by enthusiasts, which allow you to download music posted on it to your mobile device. The application has been removed from the store, but can be found in the form of 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 to Android bypassing the Google Play store, which has not been moderated or excluded from it. 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 SD card

When the SD card installed in the phone to expand memory is used in file storage mode, you can use it to transfer applications from your computer to your mobile device. Having connected it via 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.

Installers for Windows

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. On your Android device, you will first 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 your 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 them as a separate archive. Then the InstallAPK program is installed. If everything is done correctly, the device is detected when connected via USB and you can work with it.

Find pre-downloaded applications using standard Windows Explorer and launch them like any program by double-clicking.

adb driver and command line

If the previous method seemed complicated to you, you don’t even need to start this one. Users who have worked with ADB and are familiar with the Windows command line can use it to install programs via PC. The method for connecting the device will be similar to that already used. You mark on your 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 can be installed in this way, without requiring root access to the device.

Results

Now that you know how to install applications on Android using a computer, you can choose the most convenient and less expensive option in terms of the amount of effort.

It is not always possible to find the required application for an Android mobile gadget 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 the data with the specified extension is and how to install the APK on Android.

What is an agro-industrial complex archive?

The abbreviation stands for Android Package and is essentially a regular archive with the executable and all the files necessary for work. After a more careful study of its structure, you can find out in more detail what an APK is:

The META-INF section includes data about the checksums of all files and certificates.
LIB - a 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 view 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 your PC. This data is essentially a ZIP archive, so any archiver installed on the system can open it - WinRAR, 7-Zip, etc.

How to configure a gadget to install an APK archive

By default, in Android, the ability to install programs from sources other than Google Play is disabled. Next, we’ll look at how to launch this function, but you need to understand that by doing this you multiply the risk of letting a Trojan into your device. So, to allow installation of APK files on Android:

A window will appear warning you that the system is vulnerable to attacks after changing the settings 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 the program from outside the Google store. Most often, APK files are installed on mobile gadgets using a standard file manager or 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 your 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, since utilities in them are often not checked for the presence of malicious code. Therefore, under no circumstances should a simple flashlight have access to, for example, your SMS messages.

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 the very small and fast installer “Install APK”. It has the following features:

Automatic scanning of the gadget's memory for the presence of installation distributions;
Batch installation or removal of several selected programs;
Possibility of installing mobile utilities both from the device’s external card and from Google Play.

In short, the main advantage of the installer is the presence of auto-scanning and the absence of the need to look for the downloaded extension in Explorer.

Installing third-party utilities via computer

We will describe how to install a downloaded distribution on Android from a computer without loading it onto an SD card. To do this, you don’t even need root rights on your phone. But to do this, you will first have to slightly change the device settings:

In your phone's general settings, open Developer Options.
Next to the “USB Debugging” line, check the box.

After that, to work with your smartphone, install the InstAllAPK Windows application and connect the gadget via USB to your laptop or PC in charging mode (no 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:

How to copy an application from a computer to a smartphone and install it? Is it necessary to go to Google Play (Market)? The answers to these questions are in our article.

What to do if there is very little traffic on the mobile Internet, but you urgently need to download and install the application on a mobile device with Android OS? It would probably be a good idea to download a program or game onto a regular personal computer, and then simply copy it to a smartphone and launch it there.

We will provide several convenient ways to install applications on Android from a computer.

We will give a couple of convenient ways to install applications on Android from a computer.

Method 1. We throw everything on

Once you download this convenient utility to your PC, you will have the enviable opportunity to install applications on Android devices directly from your computer. This software is perfectly compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8.

All you need is to launch the program and connect your phone or tablet via USB. In the smartphone settings menu, go to the “Security” section (“Applications” for older versions of the OS), where we check the box next to “Unknown sources”.
In English: Settings - Application Settings (Security) - Unknown Sources.
Next, double-click on the *.apk file previously downloaded to your computer, after which the installation will complete.

If the installation still does not occur, go to the smartphone settings, select “For Developers” and check the box next to “USB Debugging”.

For the program to work, sometimes you may need to install special drivers, which you can download for free from the developer’s website.

By the way, you can download the Android application, which a priori comes with such an extension, not only on Google Market. Popular games and programs for smartphones based on the above operating system can be found on our website.

The only drawback is that this program does not work with all phone models. And if your device ends up in a small number of such unlucky smartphones, then another method will suit you, revealing how to install programs on Android from a computer.

Method 2: Installing the application through the built-in browser

In order for method number three to function, we will need to install a file manager. We choose ES Explorer, but you can install any other one.

Why do we say “for the next method to work”? Due to the fact that this method is too long and inconvenient for constant use, and by installing the proposed application, everything will be done in a few clicks.

So, connect the device to the computer and copy the apk file to the root of the memory card. Next, disconnect the cord, launch the browser and enter content://com.android.htmlfileprovider/sdcard/ApplicationName.apk or
file:///sdcard/ApplicationName.apk (depending on your OS version).

Method 3. Work for ES Explorer

For this method we need a useful program. This is a file manager that allows you to view all folders located on your smartphone or tablet. But the main thing is that you can use it to copy or move files from the communicator’s memory to the SD card and vice versa, as well as install games and programs on your Android tablet or smartphone.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:
1. install the ES Explorer program on your smartphone;

2. connect the smartphone to the PC and copy the required apk file from the computer to the smartphone’s memory;

3. Disconnect the device from the computer and launch ES Explorer in the smartphone itself, find the apk file and double-click on it to install the program.

Method 4. Gmail doesn't just receive mail

This is a very convenient and original way to install a program on Android, which only a few users know about, but judging by its complexity, we can say it’s outrageously easy.

So, we send a message to our gmail mail, attaching an apk file to the letter. Having opened it through the Gmail application, we will see that an “Install” button has appeared opposite the attached file (the application automatically detects the file).
By clicking on the button, you will download and install the application.

Important

Please note that if you are installing applications not from GooglePlay, a window will appear on your smartphone screen: “Installation blocked.”
The fact is that for security reasons, installation of applications from unknown sources on the device is prohibited. In this case, we do the same as at the beginning of the first method.
Select: Settings - Personal (Security) - Unknown sources. After this, such an operation as installing a game on Android from a computer or other methods will become quite accessible.