On Android, this is an installation from the official store Google applications Play. For most users, this method is the only one, because in principle, programs in Google play a great variety, for every taste.

However, sometimes you need to install an application that is not in Google Play, but it is available on third-party resources that distribute software for Android in the form of installation APK files. Such a situation may arise, for example, when the user for some reason wants to install old version application that can no longer be installed from the official store. In this article, we will explain how to install the .apk file on Android.

Allow installation of applications from unknown sources

By default, in operating system Android disabled the ability to install from unknown sources, in order to protect the user from the penetration of viruses on his device. To install the application from the downloaded apk file, the user must be given permission to install it. This is done as follows:

Now you can install applications that you downloaded as apk files.

Install the application from the APK file

If the file is downloaded from the Internet directly to a smartphone or tablet, then using any file manager, find where it was downloaded and simply run it for installation by its name. If you do not know where the file was uploaded, then the article "" will help you in your search.

In case the apk was downloaded using a computer, then your device to the computer's USB port
and copy the file to any comfortable spot in internal memory device, where using the file manager you can run .apk for installation.

At the beginning of the process, a window will appear prompting you to familiarize yourself with the permissions that the installed application requires for its work.

To complete apk installation press the button " Further" or " Cancellation»In case you change your mind. When the installation is complete, the application icon will appear on the desktop.

At the end of the article, I would like to warn you that downloading Android applications from dubious sources increases the risk of infecting your smartphone or tablet with viruses. Download apk files only from well-known and well-established sites.

Have you downloaded a new toy for your tablet or smartphone but can't install it? Then this article can help you. In it I will tell you how to properly transfer the .apk application to the device and then install it.

Files in the .apk format are associated with the Android mobile operating system, which is installed on many modern smartphones and tablets. Today, you can download a bunch of applications on the network that can significantly expand the functionality of the gadget. So, in order to transfer the application to the gadget, you will need a USB cable.

We throw off the.apk on the phone

1. We connect the device to the PC using the USB cable and click "Connect USB storage".

2. Go to "My Computer", look for the connected device and select the folder where you want to transfer the application. Just drag it and exit the explorer window. Disconnect the gadget from the computer.


For the convenience of viewing the file system of the gadget, you can install the ES-Explorer utility, with its help you can quickly find desired file... The interface of the program is organized very conveniently, moreover, it is very powerful. You can customize folder display options and more.

It is also recommended to install antivirus software on your Android tablet or a phone, as very often viruses can be found in applications downloaded from the network. This threatens the slow operation of the device, as well as other serious consequences. For example, if used, then after installing a new utility it will be scanned in automatic mode... The anti-virus databases need to be updated periodically (this is done automatically when the device is connected to the Internet).

Well, I hope now you have definitely learned how to install new applications on your gadget. In addition, now you know about several useful utilities that you should definitely install on your gadget. With the help of antivirus, it will be possible to track the activity of files, as well as see what data is available to a particular application. Spend some time on this question, and you won't have any problems later!

Most Android games, if they are not simple arcade games, weigh more than 100 MB, so when you download them, the file with the cache is still included. What is cache and how do I install it? In our universal instructions, you will learn how to install games with a cache on Android, and it also describes how to do this operation in situations when the cache is not in a folder, or when you downloaded a file on your computer.

The cache for applications and games on Android is a special file with resources, which was created so that when updating, users do not need to download the entire volume of the game again - only executable files in the APK.

To manually install the cache on an Android device, you need to perform simple steps. For this you need file manager with a built-in archiver that works with ZIP files. We recommend using the popular one.

Cache installation instructions:

  1. Download the APK installation file and cache, for example, from the Treshbox.
  • Install the downloaded APK, but don't start.
  • Open the file manager with a built-in archiver. Find the downloaded cache (usually in the Download folder). It will be a ZIP or RAR archive. In our case, it is called com.rovio.battlebay.zip... There is already a folder in the archive com.rovio.battlebay, and in it cache in OBB format. All this needs to be transferred to the directory along the way Android → obb.
  • Select the archive by long pressing → the "Unpack to" button and select the directory / Android / obb(sometimes it happens / sdcard / Android / obb). The same can be done in another way, if you use an alternative file manager: unpack the archive in the folder where it is located; copy and paste the com.rovio.battlebay folder into / Android / obb /.


  • As a result, a folder with a cache should appear in the / Android / obb directory. In our case, com.rovio.battlebay.
  • Only then can the game be launched.

  • Note: the cache for games from some developers needs to be placed in non-standard folders, for example:
    • Games from Gameloft - sdcard / gameloft / games / [cache folder]. The game downloaded from Google Play will be located in a different path - sdcard / Android / data / [cache folder].
    • Games from Electronic Arts (EA) - sdcard / Android / data / [cache folder].
    • Games from Glu - sdcard / glu / [cache folder].

    How to install a cache if it is not in the archive or in a folder

    Often the cache is not downloaded in a packed form, but simply as an OBB file. In this case, the installation is slightly complicated:
    1. You have downloaded the APK and cache. Installed the first, but the second is a file with the name in the main.7610.com.rovio.battlebay.obb style.


  • Then you need to find out Game ID and create a folder with it in the / Android / obb directory: go to the page of the game you need on Google Play (in our case, BattleBay); pay attention to the url - play.google.com/store/apps/details?id= com.rovio.battlebay& hl = ru; ID is hidden in it; the game ID text is written after id = and before & if the latter is present. So our ID is com.rovio.battlebay.

  • Copy the ID from the address bar and in the file manager go to the / Android / obb directory. There we create a folder whose name is the ID of our game. Just paste com.rovio.battlebay into the folder name field.

  • Next, we return to the cache that you downloaded. Copy main.7610.com.rovio.battlebay.obb and go back to /Android/obb/com.rovio.battlebay. Insert the cache file there.
  • We start the game.
  • How to install cache from computer

    All these steps for installing the cache can be done directly from the computer if you connect your device in external storage mode. Just unpack the archive with the cache and transfer the folder with the OBB file to the familiar directory / Android / obb to microSD card or in internal memory.

    For more information on installing a cache on Android, see our video instructions:

    Programs and games for everything Android devices are installed mainly through the (Google Play) Android Market, however you do not want to pay the developers for their hard work, and you want to use non-licensed games with impunity, then the following installation method is for you.

    Where to throw games on Android

    There are two possible ways installation:

    • Installing ready *. apk applications ... This question - in which folder to throw games on android, arises only for newly arrived users of the Android platform.
    1. We are looking for the necessary * .apk file with the game on the Internet and preferably from trusted sites, otherwise viruses on Android are guaranteed to you.
    2. Go to the menu SettingsApplications and allow installation from unknown sources.
    3. We connect a tablet or phone via mini-USB or take out a USB flash drive and insert it into a card reader.
    4. Copy the * .apk file to any location.
    5. Disconnect from a PC or insert a USB flash drive into a mobile device
    6. Open any available file manager. For example, the standard ThinkFree Office utility
    7. We are looking for the copied file * .apk and click install
    8. We are looking for a shortcut to the installed game in the menu
    • Install from the internet... Installation takes place through the site https://play.google.com/store, which means that you will have to buy a program or game, do not try other methods of purchasing applications. This method rejects any begs like where to throw games on android, they are installed independently and without user intervention.
      We go to Google Play, look for the desired game or application, boldly click on install, after which the application is downloaded and installed on your tablet or smartphone on its own. It is clear that you must have access to the Internet - Wi-Fi or any other connection method.

    If you need to install games with a cache on an android, then you need to know the path where to install the game. You need to find out about this from the place where the files were downloaded from.

    Before copying the downloaded .apk file to your device, you need to install a file management program or an automatic application installer. Go to Play Market using the shortcut on the home screen of the device. At the top of the screen, click on the search bar and enter the query "File Manager" or APK Installer and wait for the matching results to appear.

    The difference between any file manager or APK Installer is that the first program will allow you to view file system device and manually select any directory to move, copy, paste or run the file. If you are going to use the utility only to install .apk, select APK Installer. The program will automatically display a list of necessary documents on the device and install them on your Android. This utility will also be useful if you want to install several games on the device at once - it will automatically scan for the presence of files of the appropriate resolution and give the opportunity to mark required documents for installation.

    By choosing the desired program, go to the application page in the Play Market and click "Install". Wait for the utility to download and install. Then connect the machine to your computer using the USB cable that came with your purchase. When choosing a connection mode, click "Removable Disk".

    Game copying and installation

    Copy the APK file from the computer system to separate folder to your or phone by dragging the document with the left mouse button. If you are throwing several games, it is advisable to allocate a separate folder for more comfortable work with them. After copying is finished, you can disconnect the device from the computer.

    Download .apk files only from trusted and popular resources that contain an extensive database of Android applications.

    Run the previously installed program on the device. If you have installed the file manager, manually select the folder where the application file was uploaded and click on the corresponding document with the .apk extension to display the installation menu. If you selected APK Installer, the copied APK will appear in the list of files in the program window. To install, click on the appropriate item.

    To start the game, click on the shortcut created after installation.

    You will be prompted for permission to access the data. Click "Allow" and wait for the game to finish installing. The .apk file has been unpacked. The launch shortcut will be added to the main menu of the device and to