Installing apps on Android is relatively straightforward with the Android Market. You search for an app, select it and click install. However, there are often times when you may want to install a newly released app or an app that is not available in the Android Market. In these cases you will usually have to manually download and install an .apk file. An .apk file behaves in a similar manner to a “.exe” file on Windows, you need to copy it to your device and run it. Here are some ways that you can manually install an application without going through the market.
Enable Unknown Sources
Before attempting a manual installation of apps using the .apk files, you must first allow your phone to install from “Unknown Sources” (i.e. non-Market apps).
To do this, navigate to Menu -> Settings -> Applications and check the box marked “Unknown Sources“.
1. Installing app Using The Conventional Method
Step 1: Install File Manager
Android does not natively come with any method of browsing the data on your SD card, so you will need to install a file manager from a market. There are a large variety of file managers available on Android, but my personal favourite is ASTRO File Manager.
Step 2: Copy .apk file to SD card
Once you have ASTRO File Manager installed, connect your Android device to your PC using your USB cable. Mount the SD card and copy over the .apk file you would like to install.
Step 3: Install .apk
On your Android device, navigate to the .apk file using ASTRO File Manager and select it.
This will open a dialog box allowing you to install the app. Select “Open App Manager“.
On the next two pages, select “Install” and “Install” again to install the .apk.
Your new app is now installed.
2. Installing app using Dropbox
Dropbox is really a versatile app and is a waste if we don’t fully utilize it. The method is simple. In your computer, download the apk file to your Dropbox folder. Let it finish syncing. In your phone, open the Dropbox app, navigate to the folder where you keep the apk file, click on it. Dropbox will then download the apk file. The usual installation follows.
3. Installing app Using the Online Apk Installer
The online apk installer is a web app created by a helpful XDA-Developers forum member htc-hd2, with the aim to make manual installation of an .apk file much easier. It is useful if you want to share an apk file with a friend.
Step 1: Upload File
First, navigate to www.apkinstall.com.
Here you will see a black “Browse Files…” button. Select this and choose the apk file on your PC.
The apk file will remain active on the website for 15 minutes.
Step 2: Scan QR Code
Once you have uploaded the file, a QR code will appear on the website.
You must scan this QR code with a Barcode Scanner. The website suggests using Barcode Scanner, however I personally prefer using Google Goggles.
Once the QR code has scanned, you can click on the link to download the .apk file straight to your device.
Step 3: Install .apk
After the .apk file has downloaded to your Android device you can install it by simply clicking on it and navigating through the installation pages.
Conclusion
Most users will probably be comfortable using the conventional method of installing Android apps. However, if you have a less tech-savvy friend who you want to share an apk with, you can always remotely upload it and send them the QR code to scan using their phone. This way they will not have to fiddle around with copying the apk to their phone and opening it using a file manager.
Let us know in the comments if you have been able to use this tool.
Credit: XDA-Developers
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4. Way Using adb
cmd>adb install “PATHApplication.apk”
An easy way to do this is with freeware Android Injector. http://www.harmonyhollow.net/android_injector.shtml
“great” articles ignores APK acquisition :( those unwilling to inconvenience themselves by addings a gmail account to their respective android device — fighting against auto backup to google services is a problem no longer by not adding a gmail account — have to use the google malware market “by proxy” [not http]. Few will attempt that circuity
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What, oh great author, do you recommend for non-pirate acquisition of APKs from google’s malware market?
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I use http://F-droid.org as I demand freeware actually be freeware. I have a zero tolerance policy for malware pretending to be freeware in the google market (or anywhere else)
My fav file manager is AndroXplorer. Much better than Astro.
My phone does not hsve the unknown sources checkbox option att galaxy android 2.1 – how do i get it?
Apologies I do not own that phone. If you do figure it out please let us know.
my bro’s device came without android market in middle east. hence he doesnt have an option to install via a file manager(that itself will have have to be installed). Nor does it have any qr reader pre installed to use your 3rd option.
is there are way out for those people in middle east without access to market to even install the basic apps
Is it even possible to install apps? Because it doesn’t seem like you can.
I believe that there is a way of doing it. However it may require that your phone/device to be reformatted/re-installed. There will be a chance that your device may lose some (if not all) information. Please ensure to back anything you want to keep prior to doing so.
You should also try to locate the model and visit the manufacturer’s site for the software or the original seller for guidance.
Hope this helps.
Oh there’s should also be an “APK Manager” in most devices. However I am not certain if there is an APK for the market.
If you can get an APK you could still install the application on the device. Just make sure that you trust the source or it could be a virus (or something that may be harmful).
VPN
Wtf how N tha hell do yhu do this shieed
what about think free? doesn’t it work for installing apps?
and btw, its not entirely correct because u need the market to get the astro ;), i wish there was a way to install the freaking astro without the market (currently out of net :/)
Ok, tried with the think free app and worked :), didn’t say before but nice tutorial :)
thanks, glad it was helpful!
is there anyway without using the internet and the usb cable?
You can try using the wireless network in your home. Or transfer the information using a SD card.
my market doesn’t work it’s try to load the page but it close automaticaly.any one can help me?
I assume u r in a banned country. Therefore 2 solutions:
1) Use 1 Mobile Market apps it is slightly similar to the official market2) Use Market Enabler which fakes ur carrier along with Orbot that fakes your connection ip address.
For the second option your android must be rooted.
So I need a computer for the first method? I just can’t download it straight to the phone?
I have internet in the house but its not wifi.. through modem only.. is there an application I can use where my phone syncs to android market through my computer?
use internet pass through when connecting the phone to ur pc. this will connect u to the internet using ur pc modem.
There is one more method using USB cable from PC. ++Android Injector++
worked great, just follow the steps and it does the trick. Great thanks,
I want to install an app that I charge 3.99 for. Will this work?
Thank you,
Bob
Yes, but that is provided you have the apk file.
II do not have it on my settings
How do you get the file manager downloaded on the phone in the first place?
Its really interested. Thanks!
The first way: How to install AstroManager if you don’t have a file manager? :D
F the market. No need to add a gmail account to the phone THAT CANNOT BE REMOVED LATER
http://F-droid.org
99% less likely to encounter malware(adware)
ALL adware is malware.
Any app claiming to be free which shows interweb ads is NOT-free and has an intellectually dishonest developer
why do u even bother coming to this site seriously. If you don’t have anything good to say move on, you are cluttering up space and wasting everyone’s time.
Two sites that offer direct APK downloads from the developer:
http://www.rawapps.com/199290/20-apks-downloads-from-rawapps-com/
http://www.rawthemes.com/?p=2344
This topic is so against itself!!! How to install Apps without the market: step 1, go to the market to download a file manager and app install program. WTF! I don’t want to create a Market account, that is why I came to this topic in the first place. So please do your homework again and come with a NO MARKET solution. THAT IS TOTALLY MARKET FREE!
Um did you miss the part about YOU CAN DOWNLOAD APPS OUTSIDE THE MARKET this includes astro file manager dont do your homework just learn how to read or get an I phone their made for dummies like u
You can download Astro File Manager or any other .apk straight to phone from a website using the phone’s native internet app or your favorite browser then open the browser’s menu and select downloads (this will show you all files that you have downloaded), click on the .apk you want to install and confirm the install when prompted. You now have Astro File Manager installed w/o needing Android Market or a computer. Hope that helped.
WHAT?!! Android phones don’t have file manager program on it, No thanks, I’ll still be using my windows mobile, where it has a file manager since the pocket PC 2000 version, Why is android so lame ?
Ur lame ! Wtf android is the best operating system
Wow a windows phone that’s about the only thing that’s worse then an I phone android is for people who like to be able to easily program and and customize their phones so we don’t have to live with whatever windows or apple decideds our phones should look and act like plus anything can be done for free on android p.s. I can root and overclock any entry level android phone and it will blow your windos pos outta the water
f-droid.org
Great Article, very useful. Thanks.
Very heplful easy post. Thank you.
i have an android and it came with a file manager installed already.
Very nice article. Dropbox installation was almost too easy ;)
When an Android app .apk file is hosted on a website (not the Android Market), is there a way to make this a one-click download and install process for simplicity to the user.
There might be, but I have not come across any yet. I will update if there is any.
Thanks for your answer.
Damien – Did you ever find something like this
David – Did you have any luck finding out more on this?
Larry, I never did find a solution outside of Google Play. I signed up for my Google Play account ($25) and listed there to get the benefit of the 1-step install process.
so if i download apks from a website. will they update like in the 1s in adroid market?
No, it won’t.
I’ve done this before, but what happens if you update a pirated app, like a paid one. Will it charge me for it?
If you install via an apk, it won’t charge you. And you won’t be able to update it via the market, even it is prompted you.
thanks for the tutorial, it is very useful for me..
I dont have the option to download non market apps. What should i do?
thanks
why my whay apps cost me to pay instead others do not have to?please answer..thanks!
what apps*
Hi I no this mite be a old post but a really easy way is do the step to allow unknown sources then go to your webbroweder type in google aptoide and click top one it will have a button saying install click it follow on screen info n then search a paid for app or free app that you won’t if it’s not there click search on buzzard n a repo will come up with a list of the app you are looking for cl
I am unable to follow your steps because my phone doesn’t have a menu option to allow unknown sources. I even called Sony Ericsson and their phone (Xperia 10) doesn’t allow non-market apps to be installed to the phone. I managed one time to get an apk file on the phone but it wouldn’t open because the unknown source feature isn’t allowed. Do you have any recommendations for those of us who cannot change the unknown source feature?
Thanks, Backlash67
Easy as pie! Step 1. Go to android market then download and install Astro file manager (Free version works just fine 4 this). Step 2. DO NOT open the app itself, this is where I was looking for the “Allow Unknown Sources” my first go round. Instead you tap on “bottom left task-bar button” looks like a rubix cube. Step 3. Now you see all your apps, well find the green and black gear looking icon labeled settings and tap to enter. step 4. Find then tap on “Applications”. Final step 5. Put a check in the box that says unknown sources, should be right at the top. THATS IT ;) Now you just use the “Astro” file manager you downloaded to find your .apk software that you will have placed on your sd card and then run it to install, thats it. Good luck and pay for your apps. Later nicka’s.
If i don’t have any file manager on my Android and i can’t sign it on android Market what should i do to install File manager?
“to unlock the full version of this game for free, sign up on the page and return to this application”
This is the message i am getting after install
Where can I find, on my Rooted Motorola Bionic (Verizon) where the downloaded apps from the market are loaded to or stored at. In other words, what folder are the downloaded .apk files stored in after I download them from Google Play, or Amazon.
Perhaps the first question should ask, are the .apk files stored on my phone after install, or do they Self Destruct?
I am interested in using them on a droid tablet used by the kids for play, learning, and entertainment.
Jimmie-
Nice post. I was checking continuously this weblog and I am impressed! Very helpful info particularly the ultimate phase I deal with such info a lot. I was seeking this particular info for a long time. Thank you and good luck.
Basically useless solutions. Please give one that needs NEVER LOGIN IN TO GOOGLE, and no need for ROOTING. It does not exist. Only for that reason Android sucks. On an iphone it is peanuts to do so.
Brilliant guide, thank you so much!!!
Very good post,, so helpful. thanks a lot..
Don’t buy an Android device is my advice
Skip adding gmail to android with the FOUR CORNERS method
Or skip all the sh|t with CyanogenMod
Yup .. u simply dont use Android instead of being paranoid
1. Search for a file manager apk on Google.
2. Enter “install from unknown source” on your phone.
3. install the file manager app on your phone.
.apk file is essentially a zipped file with all the codes necessary to run the application. When you install an app from Google Play store, it will extract the files and place them in their respective location. You won’t see any presence of apk file in your phone. What you can do is to use Astro file manager or Titanium Backup (requires root) to backup your apps (in apk format).