What is the purpose of an APK file in the Android operating system
Android users are familiar with the word APK file. Though most Android users these days know about the APK file, some still do not know about the APK file and what it does. In this article, we will discuss the APK files, what it does, and how to open an APK file.
The full form of the APK is an “Android package kit”. This is a file format that is used in the Android operating system. Android operating system uses this file format to install apps. That means An APK file contains all the data, code, and elements that are needed to install an app on the Android operating system. All the Android apps, including those downloaded from the Google Play Store, use the APK file format. Any developer needs to compile the application to APK format before uploading it to the Google Play Store.
An APK file format is mainly an archive format like a ZIP file containing multiple files and data. APK files are also known as a variant of Java Archive files.
What does an APK file do
Though an APK file is a file type for the Android operating system to install apps and developers must have to compile their apps in the APK file type, most Android users do not see it. The main reason behind this is that most Android users download and install apps from the Google Play Store and in that case, Google Play Store handles the installation process of the APK file. But apart from the Google Play Store, android users can download the apps from other sources and they can even download the APK file of any specific app from different APK files containing websites. While downloading and installing an APK file separately, the users need to trust the site as the download and install of APK files manually can be harmful because of the risk of containing malware. However, there are many advantages of downloading and installing the APK file manually from other sources. One of the main advantages associated with anyone can get the latest version of the app earlier. For example, when a major app is developed, it takes some time to be available in the Google Play Store as Google tests the app and optimizes it. But while anyone uses outside sources rather than Google Play, installing the APK file will allow using that app earlier as in that case, you are downloading and installing the APK file manually.
Besides, there are many sideloading APK files for the app that are not available in the Google Play Store. By using the sideloading APKs file, the user can download and install an app that is not available in the Google Play Store.
How to create an APK file
APK files are complied with the Android studio which is an integrated environment for the Android app developer. Once a developer completes the development of an app, the Android studio compiles the app in an APK file. The file name of an APK file can be anything but the name will end with .apk so that the operating system knows how to interpret the file. An APK file must not exceed 100 gigabytes in size to be accepted by Google Play. Google Play offers up to two APK expansion files for any extra content developers may need for their applications to assist them with this restriction. Media files, high-fidelity graphics, and other substantial materials that would push an APK over the size limit are stored in an APK expansion file.
How to open an APK file
On An Android
APK files can be opened in the Android operating systems including the Windows and MacOS.
Any apps downloaded from the Google Play Store are in APK file type and installed on the phone as Google Play Store works here as the file installer. Anyone who wants to install the APK file manually has to allow the installation of APK files from unknown sources.
On a Windows and MAC
An APK file can be opened in the Windows operating system using an Android emulator such as BlueStacks. The same emulator can be used in the MAC.
On Windows 11 users can install the APK files using Windows Subsystem for Android. Windows users can download and install the APK files from the Amazon Play Store and install the files in the windows.
How to Extract an APK Files
APK files can be extracted from the PC using a file extractor tool. As APK files are one type of archive file and contain multiple folders and files, it is possible to unzip the APK file using a unzip program like 7-Zip. But there are no practical benefits to doing it. By extracting the APK files, you cannot use them on the computer.
Conclusion
APK file type is the only file type that is used to download and install any apps in the Android operating system environment. It is always recommended to use APK files from trusted sources as there is a chance of being affected by malware while you are trying to install any APK file on your Android device from untrusted sources.
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