If you’ve used an Android device and frequented any Android publication before, you’ve probably heard the word APK at least once. Think of an APK as Windows’ executable files, except for Android. It’s a way to install an application on your Android device, and has proven to be extremely useful so that you can skip the line and get a new update faster or even download an unreleased app.
Hit the break to find out how you download an APK.
There are many ways to find an APK, with the most popular option being through APK Mirror. Downloading APK files can be risky business, as you don’t necessarily know what the file contains; however, APK Mirror is probably the safest destination for download an APK.
You can browse the site and download any APK you want. But, before we can install it, you’ll need to make sure that your phone has permission to install third-party apps. You can make sure this is checked under the “Security” tab within your Settings menu. Normally it’ll say allow third-party installations or install from unknown sources.
Once you’ve done that, you can head into your downloads folder or even the notification pane to start the install of your newly downloaded APK. If you can’t seem to find it, downloading a file manager off of the Play Store is a great way to locate these types of folders, as they give you quick and easy access to the default downloads folder. But, normally when you download something, you’ll see a complete notification in the notification pane. Simply tapping that notification should start the process, prompting you for permission to install.
And that’s all there is to it! It’s a simply and easy process, but also a neat way to install apps. As we mentioned earlier, being able to get advanced access to an update or unreleased app is always a fun time.
Brad is a tech enthusiast, writing and tinkering with all things technology since 2011. He currently bounces between the LG G3 and his beloved Moto X! His interests include reading, entrepreneurship, the gym, and of course, queso.