[Free] How to Open APK File on Android/Windows/Mac

Part 1: What Is an APK File

APK files distribute applications on iOS and Android through google. An APK file or Android Package Kit file contains app data and resources as a compiled code. You don't come across APK files if you download apps for Play Store. Your phone's OS works in the background and installs the apps. If you download the app from the browser, you have to manually install it on your device.

Once you learn how to open an APK file, you can download any region-restricted or leaked app on your phone. You can also download paid apps for free or an old version of any app that is not available on the Play Store. If your phone doesn’t have access to Google play, you can easily get apps through APK files. Many websites allow users to download free APK files.

Part 2: How to Open APK File on Android/Windows/Mac

You can easily download and open APK files on your PC and Android. Follow these steps based on the device you are using.

Way 1: How to Open APK Files on Android

If you are an Android user, you have to enable the unknown sources option to open and install apps from APK files. You have to open "Settings" on your Android and go to "Security." There, click on the “allow unknown sources” option and check the box to warn you if the APK file is harmful. Here is how to open APK files on Android.

• Open the “My Files” or “File Manager” app after downloading the APK file.
• Tap on the “Downloads” option and scroll to the APK file.
• Tap on the APK file to open it. If your phone doesn't support that APK file extension, you can go to the Play Store and download any "APK viewer" to open the file.

• Now you can view the file contents and install that app.

  

Way 2: How to Open APK Files on Window 10

Download the APK file from the web browser on your PC. Follow these steps to open it and view its contents if your PC has Windows 10.

• Open the "Windows File Explorer" to locate the APK file you downloaded. Double-click on the file to see if it opens.
• If your PC shows a "Windows can't open this file" message, you have to download third-party software that can assist open APK files.
• You can go to your internet browser and search for "APK viewer." Download and install any of the free APK viewers that your browser recommends.
• Run the third-party software and click on the “Select Files” option. Select the APK file from the list and click on “Open” to view it.

Way 3: How to Open APK Files on Mac

If you are a Mac user and you want to open APK files, you can easily do it with a third-party APK file viewer. The procedure is slightly different from Windows, so follow these steps precisely.

• Open the “Mac OS Finder” and look for the APK file you want to open. Once you find the file, use double-click to open it.
• If you see any error message or “There is no application set to open the file” notification, click on the “Search App Store” option to install an APK file viewer.
• There, you can get all the Mac-supported third-party tools to open your APK file.
• If you know the tool name, you can download it right away. If you don’t know a specific tool, you can search for “APK viewer” to browse through available tools.

Part 3: How to Import APK File on iPhone with Best Tool

If you are an Android user, you can easily download, open, and manage APK files without using a third-party tool. For iPhone users, opening an APK file is a challenge because iOS does not allow downloads from unknown sources, and there is no APK file viewer. Suppose you want to install a leaked app from an APK file. The best solution is to use a third-party tool such as the Tenorshare iCareFone – Mange. With iCareFone, you can open, install, and manage any APK file without restrictions. Here is how to import APK file on iPhone with Tenorshare iCareFone.

• Download and install Tenorshare iCareFone on your computer. Run it and connect your iPhone. You might have to enter your passcode to pass the “Trust This Computer” prompt. Now, click on the “Manage” tab to open the file manager.

  

• Now, you can view the list of all the files on your iPhone. You can manage files, create new folders, or view content.

  

• Click on the “Import” option and select the APK file on your computer. Now your iPhone have APK file now. But it's noted that you can't open APK file on iPhone.

  

Extra Tip: How to Open APK Files on Chromebook

The Chromebook is a computer that runs Chrome OS and has built-in cloud storage. These computers are best for efficient working and getting things done. If you want to know how to open APK files on a Chromebook, then you can use two methods. If you know about the developer mode, you can go to “Settings” and select the “Developer” option. Now you can open the APK file you want to view or install. If you don’t know how to use the developer mode, you can set up "Android debug Bridge" and open the APK files.

Bottom Line

Let’s conclude our guide on how to open APK files here. If you have the right tools, you can open APK files on all devices, including iPhone, Mac, Windows PC, and Android. To open APK files on your Android or PC, all you need to do is locate the file in the file explorer and directly open it. iPhone users can't use the same method because iOS has multiple restrictions. iPhone users can open APK files with the Tenorshare iCareFone – Mange tool. It is safe, fast, and easy to use. It also enables users to import, manage, or edit files on their iPhones.

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