I am going to tell you something important for every person who installs an app from somewhere other than the Google Play Store. You may have downloaded an APK file from a third-party website at some point. Sometimes you want an old version of an app that’s not available on the Play Store. But the question is... do you always know whether that APK is safe or not? Does it have a virus? Or does it have a secret code?
I am saying all this because nowadays there are thousands of websites on the internet that provide APK files, but not every one of them can be trusted. Many times, you think that you are installing a normal app, but that file steals your phone's data, accesses the gallery or microphone, or slows down the phone. So I’m going to show you an easy and safe way to scan every APK before you install it, so you can use it with confidence.
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🤔 Why Is It Important to Scan APK Files?
See, when you install an app from the Google Play Store, Google already scans the app. The Play Store has built-in Google Play Protect security that detects dangerous code. But when you download an APK from another website, you don’t have that protection. And anything can be inside an APK file — viruses, spyware, or secret codes that can threaten your privacy.
I personally think that if you ever get an APK file from a third-party site, it’s a must to scan it before installing it. It’s a simple step, but it can save you from a lot of damage.
🧠 3 Best Ways to Scan APKs (2025)
I’m going to show you three easy ways to scan APK files without any additional apps, and your phone won’t slow down.
1️⃣ VirusTotal – Free Online Scanner (Best)
The first method that I use myself is VirusTotal. It’s a popular online tool that scans APK files with over 70 antivirus engines. And the best part? It’s super easy to use.
You can do this by:
- Open your APK file in a browser on your phone or computer
- Visit: www.virustotal.com
- Click on “Choose File” and upload your file
- Wait a few seconds and you’ll get a full report
- If the report says “Malicious” or “Trojan” anywhere, it means the file is not safe
2️⃣ MetaDefender Cloud – Another Reliable Scanner
If VirusTotal never works, or the file is not uploading, you can also try MetaDefender. It also gives excellent results.
Here’s how:
- Visit: www.metadefender.opswat.com
- Click on “Select File” and upload the APK
- You will get a full report that shows the opinion of each antivirus engine
- This is perfect for those who want to “double-check”
3️⃣ Scan with Your Phone’s Antivirus App
If you already have an antivirus app like Avast, Kaspersky, or Bitdefender on your phone, you can scan the APK with it.
Here’s how to do it:
- After downloading the APK file, long-press it
- Select your antivirus app from the “Share” or “Scan” option
- The app will scan the file and give you the results
But this method will only work if you already have an antivirus installed.
⚠️ Be Careful When Scanning APKs
Just looking at the scan report is not enough; you should also check a few other things:
- File size: If the APK file is unusually large or small, there may be something wrong with it
- Package name: The report should contain the actual package name of the app (e.g., com.whatsapp)
- Permissions: If the app asks for access to the mic, camera, or contacts unnecessarily, it may be suspicious
- Unknown Developer: If the APK developer is unknown, don't trust it
I once had a similar experience when I downloaded an unknown APK from a random site. The scan report came out clear, but when I installed it, it asked for call logs and mic permissions — that's when I realized that this was not a normal app, and I immediately stopped the installation.
📲 A Simple and Safe Scanning Routine
Adopt this simple routine every time you install an APK:
- Download the APK only from trusted websites (like the Play Store, App Store)
- Upload the file to VirusTotal or MetaDefender
- Read the scan report carefully
- Check the file’s permissions and size
- Then go ahead and install the file
It only takes 2 minutes to do all this, but your phone, privacy, and data are completely safe.
Read more: How to Downgrade Android App Version
🤯 What to Do If a Virus Is Found in an APK File?
If the scan report identifies a virus or dangerous code, delete the file immediately. And never trust that website again.
You can do this by:
- Completely delete that APK file from your phone's file manager
- Run a full phone scan with an antivirus app
- If it was installed by mistake, uninstall it immediately and restart your phone
In my personal opinion, never install such a file again. Even if the app seems useful, avoid it if there’s any sign of threat.
🙋♂️ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it necessary to scan every APK file?
Yes. Not every APK is safe. Especially when it is not from Google Play. Scanning is a sign of a smart user.
Are apps from unofficial sources risky?
Not every time, but it often does. Yes. When apps are not downloaded from official sources, there’s always a risk that they’ve been changed or tampered with. Such apps might contain harmful code or hidden spyware.
Is VirusTotal reliable?
Absolutely. VirusTotal uses over 70 antivirus engines. But if you want to be more confident, you can also check with MetaDefender.
Should I keep an antivirus even after the scan?
If you use third-party apps, it is better to have an antivirus so that if something goes wrong, it can be caught in time.
✅ The Last Thing — Scanning APKs Is Not a Trivial Matter
If you want your phone to be safe, your gallery, chat, and personal data to never be leaked, then scanning APKs before installing them should be mandatory for you.
Here's what you should do:
- Every time an APK is downloaded, upload it to VirusTotal
- Check its permissions
- And if there is anything suspicious, don't even touch the file
