There are many sites on the web that distribute Android apps. If you downloaded an APK file from such a site to your computer and do not know how to use a smartphone or tablet, then this article should help you. Here we will tell you how to install the application on Android from a computer.
Step # 1. Enable the installation of applications from unknown sources on your Android smartphone.
The first thing to do is enable the installation of applications from unknown sources. To do this, open the Android settings and go to the "Security" section. Here you need to find the function "Unknown sources" and enable it.
This needs to be done so that you can install applications directly. As long as the Unknown Sources feature is disabled, you can only install apps from the Google Play store.
Step # 2. Copy the APK file from your computer to your Android device.
Next, you need to copy the APK file to your Android device. This can be done in any way convenient for you. The easiest option is to connect the Android device to the computer using a USB cable and then copy the APK file to the device's memory. You can copy the APK file to any folder, the main thing is that you know where you are copying and can then find this file on your device.
Step # 3. Open the copied APK file on your Android device.
Then you need to find it on your Android device. This can be done using any file manager. After opening the APK file, a pop-up window will appear on the screen asking you to install this application. To start the installation just click on the "Next" button.
After that, the application will be installed on your Android device. Once installation is complete, you can open the application using the icon on the desktop or in the All Applications menu.
How to copy an application from a computer to a smartphone and install it? Do I have to go to Google Play (Market)? The answers to these questions are in our article.
What to do if there is very little traffic on the mobile Internet, but you urgently need to download and install the application on a mobile device with Android OS? Probably, it would be nice to download a program or game to a regular personal computer, and then just copy it to a smartphone and launch it there.
We will give several convenient ways to install applications on Android from a computer.
We will give a couple of convenient ways to install applications on Android from a computer.
Method 1. Putting everything on
After you download this handy utility to your PC, you will have an enviable opportunity to install applications on Android devices directly from your computer. This software is perfectly compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8.
All you need is to launch the program and connect your phone or tablet via USB. In the smartphone settings menu, go to the "Security" section ("Applications" for older OS versions), where we put a tick in front of "Unknown sources".
In English: Settings - Application Settings (Security) - Unknown Sources.
Next, double-click on the * .apk file previously downloaded to your computer, after which the installation will be performed.
If after that the installation has not occurred, go to the settings of the smartphone, select the item "For Developers" and put a tick in front of "Debugging via USB"
For the program to work, you may sometimes need to install special drivers, which you can download for free from the developer's website.
By the way, you can download an application for Android, which a priori comes with such an extension, not only on the Google Market. You can find popular games and programs for smartphones based on the above operating system on our website.
The only drawback is that this program does not work with all phone models. And if your device is in a small number of such unlucky smartphones, then another method will suit you, revealing how to install programs on Android from a computer.
Method 2. Installing the application through the built-in browser
In order for method number three to function, we need to install a file manager. We choose ES Explorer, but you can install any other.
Why do we say "for the next way to work"? Due to the fact that for permanent use this method is too long and inconvenient, and having installed the proposed application, everything will be done in a few clicks.
So, we connect the device to the computer and copy the apk file to the root of the memory card. Next, disconnect the cord, launch the browser and enter content: //com.android.htmlfileprovider/sdcard/ApplicationName.apk in the address bar or
file: ///sdcard/ApplicationName.apk (depending on your OS version).
Method 3. Work for ES Explorer
For this method, we need a useful program. This is a file manager that allows you to view all the folders on your smartphone or tablet. But most importantly, it can be used to copy or move files from the communicator's memory to an SD card and vice versa, as well as install games and programs on an Android tablet or smartphone.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
1. install the ES Explorer program on the smartphone;
2. connect the smartphone to the PC and copy the desired apk file from the computer to the smartphone memory;
3. disconnect the device from the computer and launch ES Explorer in the smartphone itself, find the apk-file and double-click on it to install the program.
Method 4: Gmail doesn't just receive mail
This is a very convenient and original way of how to install a program on Android, which only a few users know about, but judging by its complexity, we can say that it is outrageously easy.
So, we send a message to our gmail mail by attaching the apk file to the letter. Having opened it through the Gmail application, we will see that the “Install” button appeared next to the attached file (the application automatically detects the file).
Clicking on the button will download and install the application.
Important
Note that if you are installing applications other than GooglePlay, a window will appear on the smartphone screen: "Installation is locked".
The fact is that for security reasons, the installation of applications from unknown sources is prohibited on the device. In this case, we do the same as at the beginning of the first method.
Choose: Settings - Personal (Security) - Unknown sources. After that, such an operation as installing a game on Android from a computer or other methods will become quite available.
The usual installation of applications on "Android" occurs through the familiar "Play Market", which can be accessed from the shortcut of the same name on the phone's desktop. Here you have to install applications on Android either via Wi-Fi or using the mobile Internet. However, how to play the game you like or download it if there is no Internet access through the gadget? This is one of the most popular questions. Users can install games and android applications directly to their Android phone through a computer. In this article we will look at several ways to install an application on Android from a computer.
We use Google Play
How to install applications on a gadget quickly and conveniently? Use the Google Play store from your computer. The web version of the store allows you to download for free for Android, and then automatically install any programs and games that are contained in the catalog. You can download games without touching your smartphone. However, in order to download Android games, the smartphone must have a Google account and. Only in this case, this method will allow you to install the necessary software from your PC to Android. If you do not know how to install Android applications on a PC through the Play Store website, then follow the instructions below:
- Turn on the browser on your computer or laptop, and then go to the official website of the Google store.
- You will be prompted to enter your personal account data (login and password). Sign in to the account that is active on the phone. How do I enable my account? Go to the store on the gadget. Here also log in with the same username and password. The account will start in a few seconds.
- Before you can install and play Android games, you need to find them. You can write the name of the desired game in the search bar or go to the corresponding section.
- How to download a game for Android? To install on the application page, click the "Install" button.
- Before downloading, the system will prompt you to select the device on which the program is installed. The list contains all the gadgets that have ever been linked to your account. Select the one you want.
- Wait for the app to download.
Once it is installed, you can use it. How to play and how to enable downloaded software? The program will appear on the desktop of your mobile device. It will be enough to click on the shortcut. This is how installed applications are launched. Now you know one of the ways how to install games on Android via PC.
Installing applications via a PC without an active internet connection on a smartphone
The above method is convenient. It allows you to install official applications. You do not need to worry about the downloaded program, as it is completely safe. But how to install the game on a mobile phone and how to play it if the smartphone does not have the ability to log into the account or? There is an exit! You can first download the Android application to your computer, and then copy or transfer files from your computer to your mobile gadget. So users will be able to download and play android games even without registering with Google. Here you will also learn how to install programs on Android devices.
You must first make permission to install applications from third-party sources. Initially, programs are installed on the system that have a signed certificate of authenticity. If you do not activate the above permission, the programs will simply not be installed. How do I enable this feature? Just follow the steps of this instruction:
Third party applications can now be launched. Don't know how to download the necessary programs for Android? Use Google search or any other search engine. It is enough to drive in the name of the game. You will be given a lot of sites where you can download it. Be careful as the installer for Android is in apk format. Once the necessary applications are located on the computer, you can copy the games from the PC. How to transfer downloaded files to your phone, the following instructions will demonstrate:
Now you know how to download games to a device running "Android" through a computer. However, downloading the required file to your phone is only half the way. After all, it remains to be seen how to install an android application on a phone. Installation of programs on Android is carried out through a standard interface.
Introduction
Usually Android OS devices (smartphones, tablets) already come with a set of preinstalled programs. That is, some applied tasks on an Android smartphone or Android tablet can be solved right out of the box.
As a rule, there are always at least several applications: an Internet browser, an application for taking pictures with a built-in camera, email, a file manager.
However, in real life, you may need other programs as well. Or an alternative to "boxed" programs.
Installing programs on Android
Installing new programs on Android is quite simple. There are two ways.
Install apk on Android
You can download the installation file of the required program from the Internet. This is a special archive with apk extension. Download it directly on the device itself or on a computer, and then copy it to the device.
After that, in the explorer (file manager), find and run this file:
The system will issue an informational message in which it will list the permissions that the installed program requires:
For you, this is information for thought - is it worth trusting this program. In this example, the access of an office program to the Internet, getting data about other programs is surprising - why are these capabilities of an office program?
During the first installation, from the apk file, the system may display a message:
In order to allow installation from apk files, you need to open Settings, then the "Security" tab and there enable the "Unknown sources" option:
Installing programs on Android from Google Play
You can install the program from the Google Play Internet service. To use this service, you will need Internet access as well as a Google account. Google has unified accounts for all services - mail, Youtube, Google Play. If you have an inbox at gmail.com then you will be able to log into Google Play with these credentials. You can also create a Google account when you first connect to Google Play.
Open the menu for all programs. In the upper right corner, touch the "Market" button:
In more recent versions of Android, this can be a button in the menu or on the desktop:
When you start Google Play for the first time, you will need to either provide your Google account information (if you have one) or create such an account.
You can select programs by browsing the "Applications" category or through an arbitrary search (magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner). Search is more convenient:
Searching results:
Find the program you need, touch its icon and then a description of this program will open:
Here you touch the "Install" button, confirm the permissions that the program asks for:
You are waiting for the installation to finish:
You can run the program directly from here (the "Open" button) or find it in the main menu:
Note... If you open the Google Play Market website through a regular browser, you can get the URL (address) of the page of a specific application. And then use this address to download the apk file through one of the services. For example this one. However, be careful, there is no guarantee that such a service will not be used by cybercriminals to substitute a malicious Trojan instead of a real program.
Safety
When installing programs, especially if the program is downloaded from some site in the form of an apk-archive, you need to be very careful. Features of the Android OS architecture make it difficult to control the actions of the installed program. In fact, there is no effective protection against malware. At the same time, malware (Trojans) can even be found on Google Play. Not to mention third party sites.
So you need to be very thoughtful about the selection of programs for installation on Android. Before installing any program, find information about it on the Internet.
Avoid installing programs from sites other than Google Play. Although the Trojan may be on Google Play, there is still a lower probability of this, since this service has moderation (verification) of hosted applications.
All known today real cases of Android malware infection are Trojans that were installed by the device owner himself. When you install malware yourself, even antivirus software may not help.
One example of how you yourself can infect your smartphone or tablet. A person opens a certain site and on the page of this site reads the message "you need to install a flash player to view the content." And of course the "Install" button. The person presses this button and installs a Trojan instead of a flash player.
So, the security of your device is entirely in your hands. And you don't have to rely on antivirus software. No such program provides a 100 percent guarantee against infection.
Impact on the autonomy of Android
In addition to safety, there is another aspect - the effect of the installed program on the battery discharge. It may happen that the program that you install will "eat up" a significant amount of battery power. At the same time, without compensating for the decrease in the autonomy of your device with some useful work.
You can see the effect of programs on battery discharge in the system settings, on the "Battery" tab. Most of all, programs that constantly "climb" into the Internet (for example skype) drain the battery. And also programs that track the location of the device (navigators).
Useful programs for Android
The so-called stock email program may not suit you with its functionality. There are alternatives:
AquaMail is probably the best email program for Android. There are free and paid versions. The free limitation - you can configure only two mailboxes. However, the paid version is quite inexpensive.
Type Mail - free, but worse than AquaMail.
myMail is another good free program.
Office programs. Full work with Word or Excel files on Android will not work. There is no level package at least for LibreOffice for Android. Office suites available on the Android platform allow you to work only with the simplest Word or Excel files, and even then at the "somehow" and "at the very least" level. Perhaps the best of the worst is the package OfficeSuit pro.
It's better with browsers, for Android there are: Dolphin, Mozilla Firefox, Opera... And the stock browser is quite good.
To read PDF, you can install native Adobe Reader (there is an edition for Android) or AnDoc, which in my opinion is more convenient than Adobe Reader. And besides PDF, it also reads DjVu format.
If you are not satisfied with the stock file manager, you can install TotalCommander or ES Explorer... The latter allows you to work not only with files, but also has other functions of a more systemic nature - a powerful program. Through TotalCommander you can enter the root file system of the Android device, where programs and system settings are stored, but this will require root access to the device.
The program may be useful Screenshot UX... It allows you to take a screenshot of the screen by shaking the device without touching the touchscreen. That is, you can make screenshots that you cannot make a screenshot with the regular program.
application Paragon NTFS & HFS will allow you to connect flash drives and disks with the Windows NTFS or Apple HFS file system to the android device.
Note
If you do a soft or hard reset of the device to its original state (Reset Android), then all programs that you installed will disappear!
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In order to install an application on Android from a computer, you must have a Google account and access to it.
The installation procedure depends on the speed of the Internet, otherwise it does not differ on different models of gadgets from all manufacturers.
Installing programs on Android from a computer via Google Play
- The first thing to do is go to the official Google Play website through your computer browser. The site is intuitive even for an inexperienced user.
If you already have an account in the service, then you just need to log in to it.
Click on the login button, enter your email address and click "Next"
- Then enter the name of the application in the search bar or find it in the category menu on the left, and then go to the page with the program.
Advice!Any application in the Google Play store can be saved to a wishlist, which will be available on all Android devices with this data.
- The page contains all the necessary information about it, just like on a smartphone with Android OS.
- In the next step, repeat the procedure directly on your smartphone, log into your Google account, if this has not been done earlier.
- When both devices have the same account, the system will automatically determine whether it is compatible with the smartphone.
- After that, you can click the "Install" button. The system prompts the user to choose an Android device on which the program will be installed. There may be several of them in the list, depending on how many gadgets are connected at the moment.
Also, devices that were connected to this account earlier, but are not used now, can be shown here, they are marked in gray.
- After choosing a gadget, you need to press the "Install" button and wait until the program is automatically installed on your phone.
Advice! Before installing programs, you need to make sure there is free space on the phone, otherwise it will display a message that there is not enough memory to download.
Installing applications on Android from a computer via a USB cable
If the application that needs to be installed on the smartphone has already been downloaded, then you can download it using a usb cable.
First you need to make sure that the program has a suitable .apk extension, and the gadget has enough memory for installation.
- Since the smartphone cares about the safety of its users and, in order to avoid infection by viruses, does not allow downloading from unknown sources, so first you need to remove this restriction.
In the settings in the "Security" menu, you must move the slider to the green mark in the "Unknown sources" item, having confirmed the action before that.
- In the next step, you need to connect a usb cable to your smartphone.
- After that, through the explorer, the file must be copied to the "Downloads" folder on the smartphone.
- Then you can disconnect the phone and find the folder with the application on it.
