File Extension Database

Open APK File

File extension APK is short for Android Package. This file extension is used by Android system to deliver and install application packages on Google Android operating system.

APK file has all information required to install application on Android system including code and resources.

To open APK file and find out what is inside you can use following trick. Change extension of APK file to ZIP and double click on it. Since APK is compressed using ZIP algorithm it will be opened by Windows and you will see its contents. Note that most of the information inside APK file is compiled code which is impossible to read. But you can extract images and other resources using this method.

Here is a quick instructions on how to install and open APK file on your Android device. First download APK file on your device using either Google Chrome or Android browser. Then navigate to the folder where you downloaded APK file and tap on APK icon. Once you do it an installation dialog with pop up. To install the application from APK file just click Install button in this dialog.

Below is a list of files which are typically included in APK package:

META-INF directory
- MANIFEST.CF – manifest file
- CERT.RSA – certification file for the application
- CERT.SF – file with a list of resources and corresponding SHA-1 digests for all files described in manifest.cf
lib – this directory contains compiled code of the application. It has multiple subdirectories in it each containing code for corresponding hardware platform
res – directory with resources
assets – assets of the application
AndroidManifest.xml – Android manifest with name, version, access rights, referenced library files for the application.
classes.dex – classes compiled in DEX format
resources.arsc – file with precompiled resources

If you have questions about your Android device or operating system you can Contact Google customer service.

How Can I Open APK File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open APK file is to find a APK file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a APK file is not opened in an application and you instead get a "Windows can't open a file" error message you should try looking for an application which can open the file in question.
If you know the application which can open APK file then run it and see if there is a File->Open main menu option in the application.
If you don't know the application which function as APK file opener then try to search online for "APK viewer", "application to open APK file" or "open APK file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open APK file

How Can I Open APK File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a APK file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a APK file is not opened in a Mac OS application and you instead get a "There is no application set to open the file" error message you can click on "Search App Store" in the error dialog and Mac OS will show you applications compatible with APK file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as APK file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open APK file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open APK file then try to search for "APK viewer", "application to open APK file" or "read APK file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read APK file

How Can I Open APK File on Android

If you downloaded a APK file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

In the Android apps list on your Android device find "My Files" or "File manager" app and tap to start it.
Tap on "Downloads" folder inside the app.
You should see your downloaded APK file in that folder.
Tap on the file. If Android device supports opening the file you downloaded it will open in the corresponding app.
If file does not open you can look for the corresponding app that can open the file by searching Android App Store for the "APK".
If you cannot open the file with the apps from Android App Store it is possible that the file could only be opened on desktop platforms such as Windows or Mac OS. Try searching for "APK viewer", "APK file reader" online and see if any desktop applications can open it.
It is also possible that the file you downloaded is outdated and is no longer supported.

How to Open APK File on iPhone or iPad

To open APK File on iOS device follow steps below:

We advies to open Files app on your iPhone or iPad device. You can find it by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
Tap on the Downloads folder on the Files app home screen.
You will see all files that you recently downloaded. Tap on the APK file to view it.
If you have the right app that can open it it will automatically launch and open your file.
If you don't have the app which can open it you need to serch Apple app store for "APK". This way you can find apps which can open APK files.
If this doesn't help it is possible that your file could be opened only by the desktop application. To find an app which can open it on desktop look for "APK viewer" or "APK file" online in your favorite search engine.