If you own an Android device, you may have heard the term APK and wondered what it means. Understanding that will help you better understand and appreciate the platform, so let’s take a look at what an APK file is and why it’s important to Android.
What is an APK file?
APK stands for Android Package (sometimes Android Package Kit or Android Application Package). It is a file format used to distribute and install Android applications. As a result, the APK contains all the necessary elements for a successful installation on your device.
An APK is a compressed file, which means it contains many files and some metadata about them. You are probably familiar with other types of compressed files such as ZIP and RAR.
In general, compressed files (such as ZIP) are used to combine multiple files into a single file, to make them easier to move, or to compress them to save space. When a file is used to distribute a program, it is called a bundle.
APKs appear to be a variant of the JAR (Java Archive) file format, since most of Android is built in Java. All APK files are basically ZIP files, but they must contain additional information to function properly as an APK. So, all APKs are ZIPs, but not all ZIPs are APKs.
How to open APK files?
If you’re curious, you can open the APK file and see what’s inside. Use a file extraction tool like 7-Zip to decompress it like you would any ZIP file. However, you can’t do much with APKs on non-Android platforms unless you install an Android emulator like Bluestacks. Below is how to open the APK file that installs it.
What are APK files used for?
APK files allow you to install apps on your Android phone. They are similar to the APPX files used to install Store apps on Windows, as well as the corresponding package files on other platforms. When you open an APK on your Android device, it contains instructions for installing the app on your phone and provides information about the package on your device.
Normally, when you go to Google Play to download or update an app, the store automatically installs the APK for you. Therefore, Play Store also acts as a package manager, allowing you to easily install, update and uninstall software on your device.
However, since Android is open, Google Play isn’t the only way to find and install APK files. It’s easy to download an APK file from another source, copy it to your device, and install it manually. Here is a detailed guide on how to download apps on Android.
How are APK files created?
When a developer creates an Android app, they most likely use Android Studio, the official Android development tool. When the app is ready to be deployed, Android Studio builds it and packages it into a container: the APK.
Why should you install APK files manually?
Google Play is fine for most people’s Android installation needs, but there are several advantages to installing APKs manually.
One of the most important features is the ability to access the latest version of the programs in advance. When a major Google app (such as Calendar) releases a major update, it may take a week or more for your device to download the latest version from Google Play. If you install the APK yourself, you can wait and update at any time.
APK download also allows you to install apps on your device that are not available on Google Play. You might find an app on Google Play that’s been banned for policy violations, or you might try a friend’s app that’s currently in development.
However, like desktop software, downloading APK files from random websites can be dangerous. While Google Play has filters to identify dangerous apps, installing an APK alone doesn’t offer much protection. They can be malware disguised as legitimate applications or they can be modified to include spyware.
What is Base.APK?
You may have come across a file called base.apk on your phone and wondered what it does. You can see these base.apk files only if you have root on your phone because they are located in protected system folders. This is a file that you can find in any program folder.