If you’re used to using the Android system, you’re probably used to installing it too. Apps downloaded from Play Storeand remove them. But sometimes it can be interesting to know how to install an app from its file without going to a store and doing the manipulation manually.
For example, this is the case if you want to take advantage of the latest updates for an app. It is common for the APK file to become available before the final update is downloaded from the Play Store. But be careful, the APK file has not been verified by the Google teams, so you should have a good grasp on its subject to avoid falling into certain traps. We will explain everything to you.
Android: An APK file, what is it?
Let’s start with the simplest: What is an APK file? It’s neither more nor less than a file format, like jpg format for a picture or mp3 format for music. This file contains an entire application.
Normally this file is distributed, stored on Google’s servers. Therefore, it can be downloaded in the Play Store. But it can also be stored elsewhere, on other servers, so an APK can be downloaded directly from a website. It’s exactly like uploading an image. Of course navigating the Play Store seems much simpler and logical, and then we might wonder about the relevance of manually installing an app. via APK file. In fact, in our opinion there are several big advantages to doing it this way:
- First, you don’t have to stick to the Google Play Store. You can choose alternative stores that are very well stocked.
- It is a very easy and convenient way for developers to test a newly developed application. So they can detect minor bugs and improve everything.
- Some apps leak to the Web and apk files are often found on the Internet even before they are updated in the Play Store.
- Some updates are also available on the web before they are available on the Play Store.
In general, this allows you to be somewhat independent of Google services. But everyone is free to do what they want.
Android: How to install APK file
The process for installing an APK file is extremely simple. In principle, all you have to do is download the application you want and transfer it to your Android device. Therefore, you will not need an internet connection to install it.
WARNING: Some sites offer infected APK files. It is very important that you choose websites that offer you to download APK files. Among the best known and most reliable, we recommend, for example, APK Mirror.
- First of all, you should authorize unknown sources on your smartphone or tablet. Let’s meet then “Settings” back then “Security”
- check line “Unknown sources” if not already
- Then download your apk file directly from your smartphone or tablet browser or computer. Then you will just need to transfer it to your device (for example, in the “Applications” folder or even “Downloads”).
- Now you will need to navigate to the file to install it. You will need a file explorer for this. Here we have selected the best for you.
- Go to the folder where your file is (for me it is the “Applications” folder)
- Tap on your app file. We detail the access the app will have on your device. If it’s good for you, confirm by pressing . “To organise”.
- After waiting a few seconds, your app is installed on your smartphone or tablet
- Go to the list of your apps to be able to launch
Well, it was that simple and a few pictures of this tutorial will be proof of that. Now let’s look at the other part about uninstalling your apps.
Android: uninstalling an app and cleaning leftover files
Now suppose one of the apps installed via an APK file doesn’t appeal to you. Or when it is unstable, it shows errors or needs to free up space on your internal memory. You will need to do some cleaning and uninstall one or more apps. Here’s how:
- go first “Settings” back then “Applications”. You will find the full list of your installed apps there.
- Let’s choose the Asphalt Nitro app in our example
- force stop
- Clear data (and possibly “Clear cache” a bit further down).
- remove
