What is an APK and what is it used for?

APK archives are used a lot in Android worlds, but do you really know what they are and what they are used for? We explain everything you need to know about this type of archive...

An APK is an installation archive of an Android application with the .apk extension, comparable to Windows EXEs, to DMGs on Macs. In fact, it is a variation of Java's JAR format, essentially a compressed ZIP archive that can be inspected with file archiving software. It contains all the data you need to install and run an application properly on your Android device.

The acronyms stand for Android Application Package. This is a compressed archive format in which all of the components necessary for an application to be installed and to function properly on a device are stored, from code to certificates, although in some cases it may be You may need to download new data after the application is installed. It is therefore used to install and distribute Android applications.

These executable archives can be installed directly through Google Play, in which case they are completely unnoticed by the user, or from other sources such as our own website. In these cases, APK archives are stored as an additional archive in your download folder or any other place you place them, from which you can share them in several ways. To open them, just tap on them, the Android operating system includes an app installer capable of working with these archives. On the other hand, to install applications that do not come from the official store on versions previous to Android 8.0, it is necessary to make a preliminary adjustment on the Android device.

Take your device and go to the operating system settings. Access the Security section.

Locate the Allow installation of applications from unknown sources or similarly titled option and enable it.

It is also recommended to disable the Google Play Protect feature in the Google app store. This feature is built into the operating system and continuously scans the device for malicious apps and could prevent the installation of apps from external sources, even if they are secure.

APK sizes can vary from a few mega to a few gigabytes depending on the type of application. Regarding security, APKs from Google Play go through the Google filter, although it is not always 100% reliable. The APKs that you can download from Games4free21 have been tested and scanned with dozens of different antiviruses to make sure they are free of viruses or malware.