How to Extract APK File of Any App on Your Android Phone

This How.com.vn teaches you how to extract the Android Package File (APK) of an Android app so that you can install the app on another Android phone without having to use Google Play. This is helpful for installing old apps on new phones, installing apps scaled for small screens on larger devices, or testing compatibility with newer and/or older Android devices.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Using APK Extractor

1
Open APK Extractor. It's a green app with a white Android robot on it. The APK Extractor app will allow you to save an app's APK file to your Android's memory, at which point you can share the file.^{[1]XResearch source}
- If you haven't yet downloaded APK extractor, first do so from the Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ext.ui
2
Locate an app whose APK you wish to extract. Usually, this will be an app that you'd like to transfer to another phone or tablet.
- Don't extract the APK's of paid apps, since doing so constitutes piracy.
3
Tap ⋮. It's to the right of an app's name. Doing so will both prompt the app to back up to your Android's SD card and bring up a menu window.
- On a Google device (e.g., Nexus or Pixel), ⋮ will be replaced by a downward-facing arrow.
This option should be at the top of the menu window.
5
Tap a share option. In most cases, the APK file will be larger than is ideal for sending via email, so you'll likely need to choose a cloud service (such as Google Drive).
- For example, if you want to send the APK file to Dropbox and you have the Dropbox app installed on your Android, you'd tap Dropbox and then tap Add to upload the APK.
Once you've selected a cloud service and uploaded the APK file, you're ready to transfer the APK to another Android device.
Advertisement

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Using Solid Explorer File Manager

1
Open Solid Explorer File Manager. It's a blue folder app. This app will allow you to save extracted APKs to your Android's internal storage, from which point you can send the APKs to another device by sharing them.^{[2]XResearch source}
- If you haven't yet downloaded Solid Explorer File Manager, first do so from the Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pl.solidexplorer2&hl=en
- The full version of this app costs $1.99. You'll need to purchase the full version after fourteen days.
Doing so will invoke a pop-out menu from the left side of the page.
It's a tab in the middle of the left-hand pop-out menu.
4
Tap User Apps. This option will display only the user-installed apps.
- You can also tap System Apps here if you wish to extract the APK of a pre-installed app.
After a second, you should see several icons appear at the top of the screen.
This option is in the top-right corner of the screen.
It's in the top-right corner of the screen.
8
Tap a share option. In most cases, the APK file will be larger than is ideal for sending via email, so you'll likely need to choose a cloud service (such as Google Drive).
- For example, if you want to send the APK file to Dropbox and you have the Dropbox app installed on your Android, you'd tap Dropbox and then tap Add to upload the APK.
Once you've selected a cloud service and uploaded the APK file, you're ready to transfer the APK to another Android device.
Advertisement

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Transferring the APK to Another Android

1
Open your share option on your other Android. This should be the service to which you uploaded the original Android's APK file.
- For example, if you used Dropbox on the Android from which you shared the app's APK, you would open Dropbox on your other Android.
2
Select your APK file. This step will vary based on your specific share option, but will usually entail tapping the APK file's name to prompt it to download.
- In some cases, you may need to tap Download after tapping the APK's name.
It's in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
This option will appear in the bottom-right corner of the screen when the APK finishes installing. Tapping OPEN will open the APK's app, signifying that the app has successfully been installed on your Android.
Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question
Can an extracted app be transferred to a Windows phone?
Community Answer
No, Windows is a completely different operating system than Android. It's like the difference between a PC and a Mac.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 5 Helpful 32
Question
What are the reasons for extracting APK files from apps on a phone?
Community Answer
You may want to extract it using a computer to see how the app works. This could also be done if someone else can't access the Google Play Store and needs an app that someone else may have.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 1 Helpful 8
Question
How do I zip the extracted file?
Community Answer
Select the extracted file, right click and selection "Option to Add to Archive."
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

You can use an APK to install a phone-only app on a tablet, or install an old version of an app on a newer device without updating.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0

Warnings

You cannot use an Android APK on an iPhone (or any other non-Android phone), since the APK file is formatted specifically for Android software.
Thanks
Helpful6 Not Helpful4