Nowadays, almost every Android user must have heard the name of the APK file at one time or another. You may also want to install an app that is not available on the Google Play Store, or you need an old version of it. In such cases, people use an APK file.
How to Install an APK File on Android?
But the question is:
📲 How to Install an APK File on Android – Easy Guide (2025)
Nowadays, almost every Android user must have heard the name of the APK file at one time or another. You may also want to install an app that is not available on the Google Play Store, or you need an old version of it. In such cases, people use an APK file.
📋 Table of Contents
🧠 What is an APK file?
First of all, APK is actually an abbreviation (short form) for Android Package Kit. It is an installation file of Android apps — just like Windows has .exe files, Android has .apk files.
Every Android app — whether it’s from the Play Store or another website — is installed via an APK.
❓ Why do you need to install an APK file?
Now you might be wondering, when there’s the Google Play Store, why is the a need for an APK?
Let me tell you when people use an APK file:
- When you want an older version of an app
- Some apps are not listed on the Play Store for various legitimate reasons
- When you want to try pre-release versions of apps from official sources
Installing an APK file is useful in all such situations.
⚠️ Some things to know before installing
Although installing APKs is easy, it can also be dangerous if you are not careful. So keep these things in mind:
- Download APK only from trusted sites
- Avoid unknown or suspicious files — they may contain viruses
- Understand your phone's security settings properly before installing
- Be extra careful if you have banking apps or private data on your phone
If you get the file from a trusted website (like the Play Store or APKPure), there is nothing to worry about.
📥 Step-by-step method: How to install an APK file on Android?
🔹 Step 1: Download the APK file
First, download the .apk file of the app you want. You can get this file from the following sites:
- APKMirror.com - Trusted
- APKPure.com - Trusted
Once the file is downloaded, it will usually appear in the Downloads folder or File Manager.
🔹 Step 2: Allow Unknown Sources
Android phones, by default, only allow installing apps from the Play Store. So you need to turn on the option “Unknown Sources” or “Install unknown apps”.
If you are using Android 8.0 (Oreo) or later:
- Open your phone's Settings
- Go to Apps & Notifications > Special app access
- Select Install unknown apps
- Select the app (like Chrome or File Manager) from which you want to install the APK
- Turn on “Allow from this source.”
If your phone is Android 7 or earlier:
- Go to Settings > Security
- Turn on the “Unknown Sources” option
🔹 Step 3: Click on the APK file and install
Now that the settings are done, just go to the file manager and click on the APK file. A message will appear:
“Do you want to install this application?”
Just click on Install. The app will be installed in a few seconds. After that, the “Open” button will appear, and you are done! 🎉
🧹 Important things to do after installation
- Turn off the Unknown Sources option
- Remember: Apps installed from APK do not auto-update
- Check the app permissions — turn off unnecessary access
🤔 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it safe to install an APK?
Yes, if you download the file from a reputable and safe site, there is no problem.
Do these apps get updated from the Play Store?
No. Apps installed from APKs do not get updated from the Play Store. You have to download a new APK file to update.
Where is the APK file stored on the phone?
Usually in the “Downloads” folder or in the “Files” app.
Can I install multiple APK files at once?
Yes, but each file has to be opened and installed separately.
✅ Last thing – Installing APK is not rocket science
Friends, now you must have a good understanding of what an APK file is and how it is installed. If you are careful and only get files from trusted sites, APK installation is a completely easy and safe process.
This is especially useful for people who:
- want older or newer versions of apps
- want to run blocked apps in a particular country
- want offline installation on their phone
If you encounter any problems during installation, don't panic — just double-check the file or try a new APK. Visit: APK MODIAN
- What is an APK file?
- And most importantly, how is it installed on Android?
Come on, let me explain it to you straightforwardly and easily, step by step. No technicalities, just facts and work.
🧠 What is an APK file?
First of all, APK is actually an abbreviation (short form) for Android Package Kit. It is an installation file of Android apps — just like Windows has .exe files, Android has .apk files.
Every Android app — whether it’s from the Play Store or another website — is installed via an APK.
❓ Why do you need to install an APK file?
Now you might be wondering, when there’s the Google Play Store, why is the a need for an APK?
Let me tell you when people use an APK file:
- When you want an older version of an app
- Some users choose to install apps, but some apps are not listed on the Play Store for various legitimate reasons. (You can avoid these apps.)
- When you want to try pre-release versions of some apps from official sources.
- Installing an APK file is useful in all such situations.
- Some things to know before installing
- Although installing APKs is easy, it can also be dangerous if you are not careful.
So keep these things in mind:
- Download APK only from trusted sites
- Avoid unknown or suspicious files — they may contain viruses
- Understand your phone's security settings properly before installing
- Be extra careful if you have banking apps or private data on your phone
- If you get the file from a trusted website (like the Play Store, APKPure ), there is nothing to worry about.
📥 Step-by-step method: How to install an APK file on Android?
Now let's get to the real work — the complete method to install an APK file on a mobile.
🔹 Step 1: Download the APK file
First, download the .apk file of the app you want. You can get this file from the following sites:
- APKMirror.com - Trusted
- APKPure.com - Trusted
Once the file is downloaded, it will usually appear in the Downloads folder or File Manager.
🔹 Step 2: Allow Unknown Sources
- Android phones, by default, only allow installing apps from the Play Store.
- So you need to turn on the option “Unknown Sources” or “Install unknown apps”.
If you are using Android 8.0 (Oreo) or later:
- Open your phone's Settings
- Go to Apps & Notifications > Special app access
- Select Install unknown apps
- Now select the app (like Chrome or File Manager) from which you want to install the APK
- Turn on “Allow from this source.”
If your phone is Android 7 or earlier:
- Go to Settings > Security
- Turn on the “Unknown Sources” option
🔹 Step 3: Click on the APK file and install
- Now that the settings are done, just go to the file manager and click on the APK file.
- A message will appear:
- > “Do you want to install this application?”
- Just click on Install.
- The app will be installed in a few seconds. After that, the “Open” button will appear, and you are done! 🎉
🧹 Important things to do after installation
- Even after the APK is installed, it is better to take care of some things:
- Turn off the Unknown Sources option
- Remember: Apps installed from APK do not auto-update
- Check the app permissions — turn off unnecessary access
🤔 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it safe to install an APK?
No, if you download the file from a reputable and safe site, there is no problem.
Do these apps get updated from the Play Store?
No. Apps installed from APKs do not get updated from the Play Store. You have to download a new APK file to update.
Where is the APK file stored on the phone?
Usually in the “Downloads” folder or in the “Files” app.
Can I install multiple APK files at once?
Yes, but each file has to be opened and installed separately.
Read more: Enable Unknown Sources
✅ Last thing – Installing APK is not rocket science
Friends, now you must have a good understanding of what an APK file is and how it is installed. If you are careful and only get files from trusted sites, APK installation is a completely easy and safe process.
- This is especially useful for people who:
- want older or newer versions of apps
- want to run blocked apps in a particular country
- or want offline installation on their phone
If you encounter any problems during installation, don't panic — just double-check the file or try a new APK. visit: APK MODIAN
