File extension APK
| File type | Google Android Package Format |
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What is a APK file?
The extension .APK belongs to files of the type, Android Package files. The android package files are a collection of libraries, data and configuration information that is used to install the Android apps on the mobile devices like Phones and tablets that run on the Android Operating system.
Each Android application has its own set of data and configuration which needs to be installed in isolation on the android linux kernel running on the device. This information is pre-packed in a package format by the application developers, who can then distribute these APK files for the end users to install the android app on their devices.
Program(s) that can open the .APK file
Windows
Mac OS
Linux
More information about APK file
APK (Android Package Kit) file extension is used by Android package files for Google Android mobile application distribution and installation purposes. APK package files can be seen as counterparts to EXE installation files used by Windows operating system. Single APK package store relevant code along with necessary resources in the form of files (AndroidManifest.xml, classes.dex, resources.arsc) and folders (META-INF, lib, res).
APK package files are created using Android Studio, the official Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for Android app development. Finished application can be stored in APK package and then published on Google Play service after being digitally signed for release.
APK file format limitations
APK files to be published on Google Play cannot be larger than 100 MB, a limition that can be a problem for software engineers. However, Google Play allows additional files for larger resources (multimedia, hi-res graphics, etc.) required by an application to be added without violating the size limit.
ZIP compression and relationship with JAR format
APK format is based on JAR format and uses ZIP compression. Any APK package can be opened using various ZIP tools.
APK files aren’t commonly encountered by the users as typically Android app are downloaded and installed by Google Play in the background. Some websites, however, offer option to manually download and install APK packages.
How to open APK files
If you cannot open the APK file on your computer - there may be several reasons. The first and most important reason (the most common) is the lack of a suitable software that supports APK among those that are installed on your device.
A very simple way to solve this problem is to find and download the appropriate application. The first part of the task has already been done – the software supporting the APK file can be found in the table. Now just download and install the appropriate application.
Possible problems with the APK format files
The inability to open and operate the APK file does not necessarily mean that you do not have an appropriate software installed on your computer. There may be other problems that also block our ability to operate the Google Android Package Format file. Below is a list of possible problems.
- Corruption of a APK file which is being opened
- Incorrect links to the APK file in registry entries.
- Accidental deletion of the description of the APK from the Windows registry
- Incomplete installation of an application that supports the APK format
- The APK file which is being opened is infected with an undesirable malware.
- The computer does not have enough hardware resources to cope with the opening of the APK file.
- Drivers of equipment used by the computer to open a APK file are out of date.
If you are sure that all of these reasons do not exist in your case (or have already been eliminated), the APK file should operate with your programs without any problem. If the problem with the APK file has not been solved, it may be due to the fact that in this case there is also another rare problem with the APK file. In this case, the only you can do is to ask for assistance of a professional staff.
Similar extensions
| .a6p | Adobe Authorware Application Format |
| .action | Mac OS X Automator Action Format |
| .actm | Autodesk AutoCAD Action Macro Format |
| .ahk | AutoHotkey Script Format |
| .air | Adobe AIR Rich Internet Applications |
| .apk | Google Android Package Format |
| .app | MAC Application Package Or Core System Service Format |
| .applescript | AppleScript Script Format |
This extension
can be converted to:
How to associate the file with an installed software?
If you want to associate a file with a new program (e.g. my-file.APK) you have two ways to do it. The first and the easiest one is to right-click on the selected APK file. From the drop-down menu select "Choose default program", then click "Browse" and find the desired program. The whole operation must be confirmed by clicking OK. The second and more difficult to do is associate the APK file extension to the corresponding software in the Windows Registry.
Is there one way to open unknown files?
Many files contain only simple text data. It is possible that while opening unknown files (e.g. APK) with a simple text editor like Windows Notepad will allow us to see some of the data encoded in the file. This method allows you to preview the contents of many files, but probably not in such a structure as a program dedicated to support them.