What is APK file and how to install it on my computer?

APK is developed by Google. It is under the category of executable files. This package contains all the necessary files for a single Android program. It is for installing other apps on our android phone.
It will contain the following files.
1, META-INF/
2, lib/
3. res/
4. assets/
5. AndroidManifest.xml
6. classes.dex
7. resources.arsc

Installation of APK on the device: It is to be done manually.
1. Open the Settings screen
2. Tap on Security. Android Security Settings screen will get opened,
3. Tap on Unknown sources and then on OK.
Then, APK files may be downloaded from the web or saved as an email attachment.

APK files will have a security threat. The APK can be modified before it is instaled by a third party.l It will be used to install and run malware.

APK is the short form for Android Package Kit. Any app in android is generally has the apk extension. The detailed answers to the queries are as under -

i) Different files are distinguished by their extensions. For example in MS Office a document file is represented by the .doc extension while a spreadsheet file is known by the .xls extension. So, extension is the crucial part to tell the operating system as what type of file is that. In the similar fashion an android application program file is generally given with an .apk extension and android system would identify it like that and treat in that fashion.

ii) To distinguish the android application program file it has to be terminated with the .apk extension as that is the code to identify it by the system before installation and running.

III) & iv) When you connect to the play store or any other site where the APK file relevant to a app of your choice is available then you have to download it from there in your mobile or PC. In the mobile already android system is there so you can simply install it in mobile by just clicking it and then use it when it is fully installed and creates a short cut icon on the screen. If you want it to be installed in your PC then your PC should have an android handling app and if it is not there you have to use one like 'Android Studio' or 'Bluestacks App Player'. These apps are PC compatible and create an APK environment for the APK apps downloaded from the internet.

v) Generally, we download the APK apps from play store and that is the most reputed and known source. At the same time there are innumerable sites from where one can download the APK apps but the only danger is that sometimes some malware is present in these android apps and that can harm our device. So it would be better to download it from reputed sources. Play store would do the whole thing in one go that is to download as well as install it and you would not get the hold of APK file in your hands. If you download from other sites you would get it as .apk and then you would have to click it to install and subsequently to run it for your use. Android APK apps are easy to make for their developers and there are variety of them available in the internet and many of them have some mischievous malware attached to them so one has to be very cautious in this matter.

A file containing APK file extension is an Android Package Kit used to distribute the application on Google Android System. These files can be saved in ZIP format and the same can be conveniently downloaded directly to the Android applications via Google Play Store. However, the same can be located on other web sites.
APK may include classes.dex, Android manifest.xml, METAINF and res.folder.
How to open file-
The file can be opened on various operating systems but it has got wider applications on Android devices. Opening an APK file on the Android devices would require to get the same downloaded at any convenient file chosen by you and open the same when required.
Because of the security block put in the the place, APK files installed outside of the Google Play Store might not be operational. In order to bypass this restriction and get the same installed from the unknown source, you need to locate to one of the menus depending upon Android version.
Depending upon the device. you would required to choose a specific apparatus such as chrome permission to install unofficial APK file.

APK stands for Android Package Kit (also Android Application Package) and is the file format that Android uses to distribute and install apps. It contains all the elements that an app needs to install correctly on your device. It has a filename extension (.apk). An APK file contains all of a program's code (such as .dex files), resources, assets, certificates, and manifest files.

To install APK files on the computer, we have to use "Bluestacks" an Android emulator that allows its users to run Android apps and games on Windows Computers. It is one of the most popular Android emulators out there. BlueStacks was first released since 2011. Using virtualization technology, It is made to run android on the laptop. The emulator is free to use and ad-supported, with a premium subscription tier that removes advertising options and priority tech support.

How to install Bluestack:
Step 1: Enter the website link "www.bluestacks.com" on your computer.
Step 2: Go to the above link and it will display the download option. Then click to download it. It is only for Pc or Mac.

After downloading Bluestacks, you will be able to gain access to the software. All the games and apps will not be installed in it by default. You need to search for the apps which you want and install on your Android device. Just like a new smartphone, only the default apps will be installed on Bluestacks.

Installing APK in BlueStacks :
There are two methods to install.

Method 1:
1. Run the Bluestacks Android emulator on your PC/laptop and then click on the Google Play Store icon which is installed by default on Bluestacks.
2. A search bar will display on your screen. Click on it and type the name of the app (APK) you wish to install in Bluestacks.
3. After entering the name of the app, a list of related results will appear. Choose the appropriate result and click on the 'Install' option to initiate the downloading that APK on Bluestacks. Once the APK is successfully downloaded, it will automatically get installed. You can start using it on your computer.

Method 2:
1. Search and download the APK file which you wish to install in Bluestacks from the internet.
2. Go to the location where you have downloaded your APK file or if you don't know, search your downloaded APK on the search box.
3. Now, right-click on it, select 'Open with' from the drop-down box and click on 'Bluestacks' to install the APK file in Bluestacks.

Once the APK installs successfully, a shortcut icon will appear on the home screen of Bluestacks. And another icon will appear on the menu. Double-click on either of the icons to launch the installed app using Bluestacks on your PC/laptop.
You can use the app whenever you wish.

BlueStacks is 100% safe for your PC or laptop. There is no concrete evidence that BlueStacks triggers spyware and malware. If you only want safe and legit software, BlueStacks is a good choice for you. It's not a virus or anything else. It is completely risk-free and you can use it freely.

There are many android apps available in the internet in various sites. It is said that Google Play store is a reputed site and generally remove the doubtful and spyware type of android apps from there. So we can download the android apps from there. APK is the standard android extension used for the app files and it denotes that the file is an android app and is to be treated like that. In every mobile phone there is a provision of running the APK file so there is no problem to that extent. Even in PCs nowadays the android installing and running softwares are available and the android app can run there comfortably. As I said that Play store is a safe place to download, it is preferable to get the apps from there only. If at all an app is downloaded from other site the it would be better to check the credentials of that site. It is always risky to download from such sites.

APK file is an Android Package file that can be used on the Android OS of Google. APK file is a compressed file the zip format for a small size so that it can be downloaded directly to Android devices directly. Google play store gives us all the APK files but now other websites also giving us APK files.

APK file is a zip file that contains Android Applications with autorun settings to install on devices.

To install an APK file on the computer;
We need some other applications to run the APK file on the computer i.e. BlueStack App Player, Android Studio, etc.