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Computers and Electronics
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Android Applications
How To Install APK Files from a PC on Android Download Article A quick and easy way to install third-party apps Co-authored by Naseem Speach and Cory Stillman
Last Updated: February 18, 2025 Fact Checked
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Allowing APK Installation
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Installing the APK File
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This article was co-authored by Naseem Speach and by wikiHow staff writer, Cory Stillman. Naseem Speach is a Tech Expert based in Los Angeles, California. Naseem started his tech reviews YouTube channel in 2020 and has since gained a following of over 34,000 subscribers. He specializes in sharing information about the latest smart home tech, Apple, Samsung, Google, PlayStation, Microsoft, and gaming devices. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 366,068 times.
One of the great advantages of owning an Android is being able to access a plethora of apps outside of the Google Play Store. Several apps can be installed via APK files, but how exactly do you accomplish this? Fortunately, this wikiHow article teaches you how to install an Android app from an APK file using a Windows PC. All you need is a USB cable to get started!
Things You Should Know
Before transferring an APK file from your PC to your Android, you must use the Special app access menu in your phone's Settings to allow your file manager app to install unknown apps.[1]X Expert Source Naseem SpeachTech Video ProducerExpert Interview
Connect your PC and your Android via USB to quickly share files across devices.
Right-click an installed APK file on your PC and use the Send To pop-up menu to select your Android device.
Tap to open the APK file on your Android to prompt its installation.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 2:
Allowing APK Installation
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1 Open your Android’s Settings. It’s the icon typically found in the app drawer or atop the notifications panel.[2]XResearch source
2 Scroll down and tap Apps. You will need to allow certain apps on your phone to download from unknown sources.
Older versions of Android would house the setting you need in the "Security" section, but as of Android Oreo, you should navigate to "Apps" instead.
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3 Tap Special app access. It is the option at the very bottom of the page.
4 Tap Install unknown apps. The Special app access page will include several different options.[3]XResearch source Find Install unknown apps in the bottom third of the menu.[4]X Expert Source Naseem SpeachTech Video ProducerExpert Interview
5 Select a file manager app. Only select apps will appear on this next page. You will see Chrome, or a similar web browser, as well as any file storage/sharing apps like Google Drive or Gmail. You will also see your phone's default file manager app - Files by Google on a Google Pixel or Samsung My Files on a Samsung device. Select your file manager to continue.[5]XResearch source
While your phone's default file manager may be sufficient for this process, we recommend downloading a third-party file manager from the Google Play Store. These apps tend to be more comprehensive and intuitive when it comes to retrieving your files at a later point.
ES File Explorer, for example, can help you easily access your Android's root files, which may prove helpful if any future issues arise.
6 Slide the “Allow from this source” switch to the position. With this switch on, your file manager can now install unknown apps (i.e. APKs).[6]X Expert Source Naseem SpeachTech Video ProducerExpert Interview
Feel free to turn this switch on for any other apps listed on the previous page. You only need the file manager in order to install APK files from a PC, but allowing Chrome to install from unknown sources could make your future efforts to install APKs even easier!
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Installing the APK File
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1 Find an APK file online. There are several popular APK repositories online. APK Mirror might be a good place to start.
2 Download an APK file to your PC. You can save it to the desktop or any other folder on your computer.
3 Connect your Android to the PC using a USB cable. If you don’t have the cable that came with your Android, you can use any compatible cable.[7]XResearch source
4 Tap the USB for… notification on your Android. A list of options will appear.[8]XResearch source
5 Tap Transfer files on your Android. The option may also be referred to as Media Transfer Protocol, or MTP for short.
6 Navigate to the APK file on the computer. To do this, open the folder where you downloaded the file.
7 Right-click the APK file and select Show more options. The latest iterations of Windows use a different pop-up menu than what you may be used to in the past. To find the file sharing option we need, select Show more options at the bottom of the pop-up.
8 Hover over Send to and select your Android. Hovering your mouse over the Send to option will open an additional pop-up menu. As long as your Android is connected to your PC properly, you should see it listed at the bottom of this menu. Click it, and the APK file will transfer to your Android.
9 Open your Android’s file manager. Make sure it is the same file manager app you allowed permissions for earlier.
10 Locate the APK file. It will likely be in your Downloads folder, but a good file manager app will also identify your New files, making it easier to find the APK quickly.[9]XResearch source
11 Tap the APK file. A confirmation message will appear, asking if you really want to install the file.[10]XResearch source
12 Tap INSTALL. It’s at the bottom-right corner of the screen. The app will now install on your Android. When the installation is complete, a confirmation message will appear.[11]XResearch source
13 Tap DONE. Your new app is now ready to use.
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Community Q&A
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Question Can I erase the APK file after installation is complete? Verin Top Answerer Yes, simply go into My Files and delete it just like you would any other file. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow 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 wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 14
Question How do I install APK files from Android on a PC? ARS_AKHIL Community Answer APK files are files that are meant to be executed on the Android platform, so to use such files on PC requires an Android emulator. You can find a lot of Android emulators online, Bluestack being a popular one. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow 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 wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 17 Helpful 11
Question Can't I send an installed version? Anis13 Community Answer No. You must fully install it from your Android device. That is the only possible way. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow 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 wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 7
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about file sharing, check out our in-depth interview with Naseem Speach.
References
↑ Naseem Speach. Tech Video Producer. Expert Interview
Co-authored by: Naseem Speach Tech Expert This article was co-authored by Naseem Speach and by wikiHow staff writer, Cory Stillman. Naseem Speach is a Tech Expert based in Los Angeles, California. Naseem started his tech reviews YouTube channel in 2020 and has since gained a following of over 34,000 subscribers. He specializes in sharing information about the latest smart home tech, Apple, Samsung, Google, PlayStation, Microsoft, and gaming devices. This article has been viewed 366,068 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 15Updated: February 18, 2025 Views: 366,068 Categories: Android Applications In other languages German Spanish Italian French Russian Chinese Hindi Japanese
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Naseem Speach Tech Expert Click a star to vote Co-authors: 15Updated: February 18, 2025 Views: 366,068
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Download Article A quick and easy way to install third-party apps Co-authored by Naseem Speach and Cory Stillman 
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Co-authored by: Naseem Speach Tech Expert This article was co-authored by Naseem Speach and by wikiHow staff writer, Cory Stillman. Naseem Speach is a Tech Expert based in Los Angeles, California. Naseem started his tech reviews YouTube channel in 2020 and has since gained a following of over 34,000 subscribers. He specializes in sharing information about the latest smart home tech, Apple, Samsung, Google, PlayStation, Microsoft, and gaming devices. This article has been viewed 366,068 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 15 Updated: February 18, 2025 Views: 366,068 Categories: Android Applications In other languages German Spanish Italian French Russian Chinese Hindi Japanese 
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1 Open your Android’s Settings. It’s the 
icon typically found in the app drawer or atop the notifications panel.[2] 
2 Scroll down and tap Apps. You will need to allow certain apps on your phone to download from unknown sources. 
3 Tap Special app access. It is the option at the very bottom of the page. 
4 Tap Install unknown apps. The Special app access page will include several different options.[3] Find Install unknown apps in the bottom third of the menu.[4] 
5 Select a file manager app. Only select apps will appear on this next page. You will see Chrome, or a similar web browser, as well as any file storage/sharing apps like Google Drive or Gmail. You will also see your phone's default file manager app - Files by Google on a Google Pixel or Samsung My Files on a Samsung device. Select your file manager to continue.[5] 
6 Slide the “Allow from this source” switch to the 
position. With this switch on, your file manager can now install unknown apps (i.e. APKs).[6] 
1 Find an APK file online. There are several popular APK repositories online. APK Mirror might be a good place to start. 
2 Download an APK file to your PC. You can save it to the desktop or any other folder on your computer. 
3 Connect your Android to the PC using a USB cable. If you don’t have the cable that came with your Android, you can use any compatible cable.[7] 
4 Tap the USB for… notification on your Android. A list of options will appear.[8] 
5 Tap Transfer files on your Android. The option may also be referred to as Media Transfer Protocol, or MTP for short. 
6 Navigate to the APK file on the computer. To do this, open the folder where you downloaded the file. 
7 Right-click the APK file and select Show more options. The latest iterations of Windows use a different pop-up menu than what you may be used to in the past. To find the file sharing option we need, select Show more options at the bottom of the pop-up. 
8 Hover over Send to and select your Android. Hovering your mouse over the Send to option will open an additional pop-up menu. As long as your Android is connected to your PC properly, you should see it listed at the bottom of this menu. Click it, and the APK file will transfer to your Android. 
9 Open your Android’s file manager. Make sure it is the same file manager app you allowed permissions for earlier. 
10 Locate the APK file. It will likely be in your Downloads folder, but a good file manager app will also identify your New files, making it easier to find the APK quickly.[9] 
11 Tap the APK file. A confirmation message will appear, asking if you really want to install the file.[10] 
12 Tap INSTALL. It’s at the bottom-right corner of the screen. The app will now install on your Android. When the installation is complete, a confirmation message will appear.[11] 
13 Tap DONE. Your new app is now ready to use. Advertisement 
Verin Top Answerer Yes, simply go into My Files and delete it just like you would any other file. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow 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 wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 14 
ARS_AKHIL Community Answer APK files are files that are meant to be executed on the Android platform, so to use such files on PC requires an Android emulator. You can find a lot of Android emulators online, Bluestack being a popular one. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow 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 wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 17 Helpful 11 
Anis13 Community Answer No. You must fully install it from your Android device. That is the only possible way. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow 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 wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 7