How to Easily Install APK Files on Your Android Device: A Step-by-Step guide
To install an APK file on an Android device, you can follow these steps:
If you want to use an app from outside of the Google Play Store, you can install the app's APK file. This article explains how to install APKs on Android 7 or later.
Allow Unknown Apps on Android
Before you can download APK files , you must first allow Enable "Unknown Sources" on your device: Go to "Settings" > "Security" (or "Privacy") > "Unknown Sources" and toggle it on.
- Go to your device settings and tap Apps & Notifications (or Apps in older versions of Android).
- Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner.
- Tap Special access.
 |
- Tap Install unknown apps.
- Tap Chrome (or whichever web browser you use)
- Move Allow from this source to the On position.
Download the APK file you want to install from a trusted source. You can either download it directly on your Android device or transfer it from your computer to your device using a USB cable.
Install an Android File Manager
Open the "Downloads" or "File Manager" app on your Android device and locate the APK file you downloaded.
Tap on the APK file to start the installation process. A prompt may appear asking for your permission to install the app. Tap "Install" to proceed.
Wait for the installation to complete. Once the app is installed, you can either open it directly from the installation screen or find it in your app drawer.
Note: It is important to download APK files from trusted sources to avoid installing malicious apps on your device.
What Is an APK File?
APK stands for Android Package (sometimes Android Package Kit or Android Application Package).It's just like an executable (EXE) file for Windows or a package installer (PKG) for Mac. It's the file format that Android uses to distribute and install apps. As a result, an APK contains all the elements that an app needs to install correctly on your device.