If you are an android user, then you might have heard the term APK or when you searching for an application in Google, you might seen different website they offered Apk file of that app to download. If you wondered what is that apk file means, then go through this article and know more about the apk files.
What Is an APK File?
APK is a file format, that stands for Android Package or sometimes Android Package Kit or Android Application Package. Through apk format Android uses to distribute and install application. APK files contains all the elements that an app needs to install correctly on your android device.
An APK is an archive file like ZIP and RAR, that contains multiple files, along with some metadata about them. Generally, archive files like ZIP file are compressed multiple files into one to save spaces and more portable. But, when an archive is used to distribute software, then it is called a software package like Apk file.
APKs are a variant of the JAR or Java Archive file format, since a lot of Android is built in Java. From the core, all APK files are ZIP files but for proper functioning as APK, it contains additional information. So, all the Apk files are ZIP files but not all the ZIP files are Apks. Other than android platform, you can’t do much with APKs, unless installing an Android emulator like Bluestacks.
What Are APK Files Used For?
Using APK files you can install apps on your Android phone. When you open an APK on your android device, it will having the instructions to install the app on your phone and also it provides information about the package itself to your device.
When you want to download or update an android app you can visit the Google Play Store and it automatically installs the app for you. So, in this case the Play Store acts as a package manager like APK that can easily install, update and remove any software on your android device.
Due to Android’s open nature, you can not only find and install APKs on Google Play, you can easily get an APK file from elsewhere, move it to your device, and manually install it.
How the APK Files are Created?
When a developer creates an Android app, they likely to use the official development tool for Android that is the Android Studio.
When the app is ready to ship, Android Studio compiles the app, then puts it all into an APK. APKs typically need to keep the file extension .apk so that operating system can interpret them. When you download any APK file, they have filenames like com.google.android.dialer-66.0.374464860.apk.
Benefits
- Get the latest apps from Google Play before a week or more from its release
- Installing the APK manually lets you skip the wait and update as soon as you want.
- Sideloading APKs also lets you install apps on your device that are not available on Google Play.
- Find an app that is not allowed on Google Play because it violates a policy.
- You can test your friend’s app that’s currently in development.
