How to Open APK File on Android, PC, Mac & iOS!

What is an APK File?

APK file is a package used by Google’s Android OS to install the package that contains Android app installer along with images, text, videos, and complete details of the app. Now, a lot of readers on GeniusGeeks have asked us about how to open APK files on Android, PC, Mac & iOS devices.

Sensing the need of an hour, we’ve curated a perfect tutorial on how you can open APK file on your respective devices by using some applications and software.

Editor’s Note: Every APK file is saved in ZIP format but when you install an app via Google Play Store it gets converted to APK file extension when you download them on your Android devices.

How to Open APK File?

If you’re keen to know how to open APK file on your system, read our detailed guide now! Let’s start with Android users first!

1. How to Open APK File on Android Devices

It’s easy to open APK file on your Android devices as it supports it. But if you want to install an app that isn’t available on the Play Store, you need to tweak few settings on your smartphone or tablet. Here’s how to do it if you’re using Android 8 (Oreo) or higher versions on your smartphone.

#1. Open Settings and click on Apps by scrolling down on the list of options.

#2. Tap on the three horizontal dots on the top-right and select special access from the five options in the drop-down.

#3. Click on the Install unknown apps option by scrolling down

#4. Now select the browser of your choice or any other app from where you’re going to install an APK file on your Android smartphone or tablet.

As you can see from the above screenshot, all the apps are not allowed to install APK files from unknown sources by default. You need to tweak those settings by following the last step given below.

#5. By default the allow from this source is turned off. So you need to turn on Allow from this source option.

Note: In our case, we did it for Chrome as it’s our primary app to download and open APK file. You can do this with any other app where you have your APK files ready for installation.

This method is just for the devices that have Android 8.0 or later versions. Any other Android device with an older version (7.0 or lower) has this option under Settings > Security > Turn on Unknown sources option and it should be done!

Once you’re done with the settings and downloaded the desired APK file, it’s now time to see how to open APK file on Android using a simple app.

You can easily manage the APK files and open them using Astro File Manager. One can open APK file after downloading this file manager app on an Android smartphone or tablet.

We hope that this works for you. And if it doesn’t you could try some other file managers that are available on Google Play for free!

2. How to Open an APK File on Windows PC or Laptop

These days a lot of users are playing their favorite Android games on their PCs and Laptops. Thanks to the Android emulators that are making it possible.

If you want to open an APK file on your Windows PC or Laptop, you need to use those Android emulators itself. Download Bluestacks or Nox Player to get started!

Once you download the emulator on your system, launch it, and sign in with your Google account. You’ll now find an option to open an APK file or sideload an APK file in the emulator itself.

Simply click that option in the emulator and you will now be able to open APK file without any hassles. It can be an APK file of an app or a game, it doesn’t really matter!

3. How to Open APK Files on Mac

The only way to open an APK file on Mac is by installing ARC Welder Chrome extension in your Chrome browser. It is specifically designed to test Android apps in Chrome browser for Chrome OS.

But as this extension works with any given OS, you can easily use it on your Mac system. All you need to have is Chrome browser on your Mac and you’re good to go!

It’s not mandatory to have Windows OS or Mac OS on your Mac to get started! The extension works with all types of operating systems. So if you have a Linux system too, you can give it a try. We haven’t tested it in Linux systems though.

4. How to Open an APK File on iOS 

As you might be well aware of the fact that iOS and Android are two different platform and they aren’t compatible with each other, there’s no point of discussion with regards to opening a APK file on iOS based smartphones and tablets!

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to open APK files on iPhone or iPad as the file type isn’t compatible with iOS. You may find many fake software or apps that claim to work but make sure you stay away from such fake apps. They never work and if you install such apps, your personal information could be compromised.

So this is how simple it is to open APK file on all devices except iOS platform. We hope that you got enough information on the topic you were searching for.

Did You Successfully Open APK File?

If you face any issues or have any doubts regarding how to open APK file on your respective devices, do comment below and we will respond you at the earliest with best possible solutions! Till then, stay tuned to GeniusGeeks to more such tips and tricks!