Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: With APK Extractor
• Part 2 of 3: With Solid Explorer File Manager
• Part 3 of 3: Transfer the APK file to another Android device
• Tips
• Warnings

This article will show you how to get the APK file of an Android app so that you can install the app on another Android device without using Google Play. This is useful if you want to install old apps on a new phone, if you want to put apps for smaller screens on a larger device, or if you want to test compatibility with newer or older Android devices.

To step

Part 1 of 3: With APK Extractor

1. Open the APK Extractor app. This is a green app with a white Android robot in it. This app allows you to save an app's APK file to your device's memory and then share the file.
   • If you haven't downloaded APK Extractor yet, please do so first from the Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ext.ui
2. Find an app you want to get the APK file from. In most cases this is an app that you want to transfer to another phone or tablet.
   • Don't do this with paid apps as that would be piracy.
3. Tap on ⋮. This is to the right of an app's name. You ensure that the app is backed up to the SD card and you open a menu.
   • On a Google device (such as Nexus or Pixel) you will see a down arrow here instead of ⋮.
4. Tap on share. This option is at the top of the menu.
5. Tap a way to share the file. In most cases, the file will be larger than what is convenient to send via email, so you will likely need to use an online storage service (such as Google Drive).
   • For example, if you want to upload the APK file to Dropbox, and you have the Dropbox app installed on your device, tap "Dropbox" and then "Add" to upload the file.
6. Upload the APK file. Once you have chosen a storage service and uploaded the file, you are ready to transfer the file to another Android device.

Part 2 of 3: With Solid Explorer File Manager

1. Open Solid Explorer File Manager. This is a blue app in the form of a folder. This app allows you to save APK files to the internal storage of your device, after which you can send them to another device.
   • If you have not yet downloaded the Solid Explorer File Manager, please do so first 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. After fourteen days of free use, you must purchase the full version.
2. Swipe from left to right across the screen. You will open a drop-down menu on the left side of the page.
3. Tap on Applications. This is a tab in the center of the left menu.
4. Tap on User's apps. With this option you only see the apps that the user has installed.
   • You can also tap "System Apps" here if you just want to get the APK file of a preinstalled app.
5. Touch and hold an app you want to get the APK file from. After about a second you will see various icons appear at the top of the screen.
6. Tap on ⋮. This option is located in the top right corner of the screen.
7. Tap on Tap a way to share the file. In most cases, the file will be larger than what is convenient to send via email, so you will likely need to use an online storage service (such as Google Drive).
   • For example, if you want to upload the APK file to Dropbox, and you have the Dropbox app installed on your device, tap "Dropbox" and then "Add" to upload the file.
8. Upload the APK file. Once you have chosen a storage service and uploaded the file, you are ready to transfer the file to another Android device.

Part 3 of 3: Transfer the APK file to another Android device

1. Open the correct program on your other Android. This is the app or service to which you uploaded the APK file.
   • For example, if you used Dropbox to upload the APK file, you now need to open Dropbox on your other device.
2. Select your APK file. This step varies from app to app, but it usually boils down to tapping the name of the file to download it.
   • In some cases, you still have to tap "Download" after tapping the name of the file.
3. Tap on to install in the dialog box. This option is in the bottom right corner of your screen.
4. Tap on To open. This option will appear in the lower right corner of your screen once the APK file has been installed. By tapping "Open" you open the app from the APK file, and you can see if the app is indeed installed on your new device.

Tips

• You can use an APK file to install an app for a phone on a tablet, or move an old version of an app to a newer device without updating the app.

Warnings

• You cannot use APK files on an iPhone (or other phones without Android) because the APK file is specially developed for Android apps.