In general, when we want to download an application for Android or IOS , we go to the corresponding application store and do the download and installation from there. But did you know that there is an alternative way to download applications for Android mobiles? And not only that, but it is also possible to download them for our computer.
This process is possible thanks to the famous APK files. But since you may not know anything about it, today we will explain what these file extensions are.
Index
- What are APK file extensions?
- How can you open APK files on an Android phone?
- How can you open APK files on a computer?
What are APK file extensions?
To start with the answer, first you have to know that the extension known as APK stands for Android Pakcage Application . This means that it is a file which is executable only in an Android environment. Therefore, if you intend to download these files and simply run them on your computer, this will not be possible.
Unless of course you have a program, which we will talk about later. Thanks to these file extensions, you can perfectly download Facebook Live for Android in APK version.
Similarly, these files are known worldwide for being a better variant of JAR-format files . Currently it is a type of file which can be used to install applications and games of all kinds on smartphones. So it has become a viable alternative for those who have Android devices, but who, for some reason, cannot install certain applications from the Play Store.
How can you open APK files on an Android phone?
For obvious reasons, the first thing is to have the application in an APK file. This you can get through the internet. There are many pages that act as virtual application stores. One of them and the most used APKPure . There you will find games, applications and tools of all kinds. You just have to go to the app of your interest and download the latest version.
If you are downloading from the same mobile device, once it is downloaded, you have to run the file. Most likely, it will ask for your permission to install from third-party sources or unknown sources .
You just have to enable the option that is shown on the screen and then go to the application window to install it. If you notice that it is not installed due to some error, then you have to change the page and download the app again.
It is worth mentioning that if WhatsApp is throwing you the error of “The application is not responding” , we recommend that you uninstall the app and download it again, but in APK format. You can do the same with any applications that are throwing you errors similar to this.
How can you open APK files on a computer?
The situation with computers is a little more complex but not so much. That is, first you have to do exactly the same process as with the mobile. If you want to download or download the Uber app as an APK file , you have to go to an online app store and download the file.
After this, you have to compulsorily make use of an Android emulator. It is the only way you can run mobile applications on your computer. The good thing is that you have a wide range of Android emulators that you can download. The most famous and most used is Bluestacks. Although it is not an emulator or program for any pc, since the resources required by this emulator are a bit high.
Once you have both, first you have to run the emulator that you have downloaded , it does not necessarily have to be Bluestackas. After you run it, find the file and drag it to the emulator screen to install. If this doesn’t work, the emulator itself has or should have an option where you can load a file.
In that case, you just have to locate the site where the file with the APK extension is stored and click on accept. Of the rest, you have to wait for the process to finish and the application will have been installed correctly.
