You've almost certainly come across an APK file throughout these years to install it on your mobile device without having to go through the Play Store. These files are executables to launch an application, either from the Google Play store or from other download directories.
Opening the APK files on PC is possible, all this depends to a great extent on the emulators, whether an application or a video game depends on them. By default Windows is not able to recognize and make it run, but seeing the various virtual machines it is best to use them.
The emulators are entirely free and easy to use if you want to use the different APKs, either on Windows or on other systems, including both Mac Os and Linux. Thanks to them you can fully use all applications as if it were a mobile phone.
Having trouble installing an APK on your device? Check out this tutorial.
What is an APK file?
Un APK file, acronym for Android Application Package, is the standard format (with an .apk extension) for distributing and installing applications on Android devices. Conceptually, it is similar to an .exe file on Windows or a .deb on Linux systems, as it contains all the components necessary to run an application in a specific environment.
These packaged files, like other similar ones for installing applications, have a internal structure Which consists of:
- Manifest: is an XML file that describes the components of the application, the permissions it requires, the features it supports, etc. It can be similar to the famous README for PC.
- Resources: It will also contain everything necessary for the app to function, such as images, layouts, strings and other files that are used to build the user interface and application logic.
- Classes: It is basically the compiled source code (bytecode) in Dalvik or ART (Android Runtime) format, that is, the instructions that the processor must execute for the app to work.
- Libraries: includes external libraries that the application uses to perform specific tasks, such as accessing hardware, networks, or databases.
- Assets: Additional files that are not compiled or processed by the build system when the app is installed, such as configuration or data files.
In addition to that, the APK may also include a security signature or certificate to ensure authenticity and integrity. This is important when you download these files from application stores such as the official one, Google Play, or other alternatives such as Amazon Appstore, F-Droid, Uptodown, APKPure, etc. However, when downloading from other sources, this will not guarantee security…
APK installation environment
When a user install an APK, the Android system verifies the digital signature and extracts the application components. Then, it installs them on the device, in the corresponding system folders, and also makes them accessible to the operating system. That way, just click on the app icon for it to start working.
For all of this to work this easily, Android needs a runtime environment. Dalvik was the first Android runtime environment, responsible for converting the bytecode (the result of compiling the Java source code) into instructions that the device's processor could understand. However, Dalvik was an interpreted virtual machine, which meant that the code was executed line by line each time a function was called, which could impact performance.
To improve performance and efficiency, Google introduced Android Runtime (ART) on Android KitKat (version 4.4). ART is a just-in-time (JIT) compiler that compiles bytecode into native code before the application runs for the first time. This means that the code runs faster and more efficiently, since it does not need to be interpreted every time.
In recent years, Google has introduced new improvements for APK files:
- Android App Bundle (AAB): Introduced in Android 8.0 (Oreo), AAB is a new publishing format that replaces the traditional one. An AAB contains all the components of an app and allows Google Play to generate and deliver APKs optimized for different devices and configurations, reducing download sizes and improving the user experience.
- Dynamic DeliveryClosely related to AAB, this feature allows applications to download additional resources at runtime, further reducing the size of the application's initial download.
- Play Feature Delivery– Allows developers to split their app into independent modules, making it easier to update specific parts of the app without having to relaunch the entire app.
Security considerations
When working with an APK that does not come from a store like Google Play, where uploaded apps are verified and a series of security systems exist, it is essential to take into account the following security aspects. Please note that these APK packages could have been maliciously altered to do other actions on your system and even with malicious code. When you activate installing from unknown sources and downloading apps from third-party sitesPlease note the following:
- Verify the signature- Always verify the digital signature of the APK against that of the official developer to ensure it has not been altered.
- Analyze permissions: Review the permissions that the application requests and make sure that they are necessary for its operation, and that it does not include extra permissions that could be suspicious.
- Scan for malware- Use malware analysis tools to detect any potential threats in the APK.
- Update- Keep your Android system updated with the latest security patches.
Check the APK information
If what you are looking for is simply check package information, with data such as the name of the app, version, description, permissions, etc., you can use these tools:
On Windows with APK-Info
With tools like APK-Info we will know everything about the downloaded applicationRemember to always download the APK files from the official page. For security, smartphones usually have the installation from unknown sources disabled, but sometimes you have to activate if you want to install them on phones.
APK-Info shows details such as version, compilation, file size, pack name, screen resolution for which it will be adapted, permissions, characteristics and more. It is ideal to know everything about any of the APKs that we have downloaded for Windows.
It is a free application and available in the repository GitHub, the interface is similar to that of a standard Windows file explorer. In addition to the version, APK-Info shows some accesses on the right side, among them being able to access the Play Store directly, as well as other accesses.
On MacOS and Linux
APK-Info is not available for MacOS or Linux, so you have to find an alternative. You can use tools from the Android SDK, such as aapt (Android Asset Packaging Tool). Once this tool is installed, it is a matter of entering the shell and executing the following command from the directory where your APK package is located:
aapt d --values badging your-name.apk
Unpack or extract the contents of APK files
To extract the content of APK files, or to access and explore its content, you can do it in several ways:
Unpack files in Windows with APKTool
A way to unzip APK files in Windows is using the utility APK Tools online, a free and online tool available. Despite the page being in English, its use is simple and intuitive, you just have to select the APK file, wait for it to load and that's it.
The decompression will make it possible to see everything that the APK in question contains, depending on the size it will take more or less, a file of about 5 megabytes takes just under 30 seconds to open. You have the option to unzip it and transfer it to ZIP to work directly from Windows.
It will show all the folders created, showing everything about the creator, images and everything that refers to this application. APK Tool Online is a service that has been running for a long time thanks to Javadecompilers, a group that, in addition to this application, has other well-known applications from the Google Play Store.
Extract APKs with 7-Zip (Windows, MacOS and Linux)
7-Zip is known as one of the multi-format compressors and decompressors best known, all with the permission of quite a few others used such as WinRAR and WinZIP. 7-Zip allows, among its functions, to be able to decompress APK files, as well as others such as RAR, CAB, GZIP, 7Z and ZIP.
The open source program opens any APK from any version of Windows/MacOS/Linux by installing the application, to do this access the Official Site. The decompression is used to see everything that comes with the APK, see the folders and be able to know all the details if it is an application or a video game.
PTo unzip it with 7Zip, do it as follows:
- Right-click on the APK file downloaded to the PC
- Once the menu appears, choose 7-Zip and finally click on "Extract files", give it destination origin and ready to show you where the decompression is going
How to open APK files with emulators on your computer
Now if what you want is open or run APK files to make them work on your computer, then you can use the following emulators or execution environments:
On Windows, MacOS and Linux with Android Studio
Another important application when it comes to opening APK files is Android Studio, created by Google itself and whose objective is the development of applications. Android Studio decompiles any app, it is perfect if you also want to know all the information about an APK.
It is a tool similar to APK Tool online, but it is also designed for developers, with it it is possible to create an application from scratch. Android Studio runs APK files on your computer, whether on Windows, Mac OS and GNU/Linux, and it serves more than just exploring its folders, since you can try the app as if you were on Android.
On Windows and MacOS with BlueStacks
To open APK files on your PC for free and easy it is done through the BlueStacks emulator, an emulator that is free and currently available on its official website. Apart from being on Windows, it is available for Mac OS users, offering the same environment and ease of use.
Once BlueStacks is installed, you will have to configure it to start using it as if you were on Android, it is necessary to link an account to the Play Store. It does not have to be the one that is used regularly on the phone, it can be any other than Gmail.
If you want to open an APK file in BlueStacks you have to perform these steps:
- Open BlueStacks on your Windows or Mac OS computer
- On the main screen look for "Installed applications", click on the icon of the ⋮ and select "Install APK", explore the site where you have it and click "Open"
- Once you open it, you can do it always double-clicking with the left click on the APK, BlueStacks will open with the application started and loading those files you want by default if you have done it before, be it a video, image, etc.
On Windows and MacOS with Nox Player
It is another renowned emulator for Windows and Mac, it is not heavy when installing and consumes resources, Nox Player is also a free alternative like BlueStacks. Over time it has been improving remarkably, adding with it some characteristics that make it a good option.
Nox Player allows you to install applications and use them on the desktop, for this you have to download an executable before and prepare it. Nox Player consumes slightly less than BlueStacks, it is one of the less heavy and important emulators next to MeMu, both are valued by the community that uses them.
The process to install Nox Player from scratch is as follows:
- Download and install Nox Player from this link
- Proceed with its installation from scratch
- Give all the permissions for the application can work without any problem
- Reject additional software applications unless it is Nox Player, the rest come from third parties and it is not convenient at all as they are installers of all kinds, including some antivirus for the system, which would cause some inconvenience if you already have one installed on your system, whether AVG, Avast, NOD32 or Kaspersky
- Once Nox Player finishes configuring everything, click "Start" and wait a few seconds
- Now you must login with your Play Store account, remember your email and password, it is vital if you want to use this service as you normally do on your mobile phone
- With Nox Player already open, click on the options on the square button that says "APK instl", press it and in the file explorer locate the APK, to do this leave it on the desktop in order to find it easily and without having to navigate through the various folders you have on the system
- Select "Open" and you will see how the application you have installed is installed on the desktop, remember that this will make you always have it in view, it will open automatically and you will have it ready to use on your PC, and you can install all the apps you want...
On Windows with MeMu
We finish the list of APK files with MeMu, a lightweight application with which to run any aAPK without having a powerful PC. It works with all versions of Windows, it becomes an emulator that does not consume anything and above all it is functional.
The simulation with applications will be similar to that of an Android mobile phone, the loading of the APKs is fast and in addition to being able to use any, be it a video converter, among other apps. MeMu has support and can move all those apps, be it an application or a video game.
To install applications in MeMu you have to do the following:
- Install and download MeMu Player on your computer (PC)
- In the search bar put those applications that you want to download, click "Install or Install" and wait for it to load completely, a shortcut will be created in the application
- Once ready you have it ready and available to use, remember that it works perfectly and you can save those things you want, all with the corresponding permission
- On the right side it will show you all the buttons to show you how it works: The first is the Main Screen, the third "Import APK from Windows", the fourth takes a screenshot, the eighth is the configuration, followed by the volume controls of more and less if you want to adjust it if it is mainly a video game
Other alternatives to run APKs on your computer
Finally, it must also be mentioned that there are other alternatives to previous emulators. For example, it is worth highlighting:
- anbox- is an Android application runtime on Linux that isolates applications in containers. This means that each application runs in a separate environment, which improves security and stability.
- Genymotion: is an Android emulator popular among developers and advanced users, offering a wide variety of virtual devices and configurations. Available for Windows, macOS and Linux, as well as as a cloud service. Simulates a wide range of Android devices, from phones to tablets, and allows a high degree of customization.
- LD Player– Another gaming-focused Android emulator, designed to deliver high performance in demanding games. It offers good performance for gaming, customization and multi-instance. It is mainly available for Windows, although it also has a beta version for Linux.
- Remix OS Player- is an emulator based on the Remix OS operating system, designed to offer a simple desktop experience for Windows.
- CoPlayer: This other one is also available for Windows. It is an Android emulator focused on games and with great customization capacity.
- VirtualBox: It is not an emulator, but a hypervisor, and is available for Windows, Linux and Mac OS. However, you can create an Android virtual machine on your PC, although it will have to be Android x86 (you can also use ChromiumOS, blendOS with Waydroid, Remix OS...), as it does not emulate ARM. From there you can run APK files you want.