How To Install APK Files from a PC on Android

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A quick and easy way to install third-party apps

Co-authored by Naseem Speach and Travis Boylls

Last Updated: January 30, 2026 Fact Checked

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Using ADB Developer Tools

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Transferring and Installing APK Files

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Video

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Q&A

One of the great advantages of owning an Android is being able to access a plethora of apps outside of the Google Play Store. Several apps can be installed via APK files, which you can download on your computer. To install them on your Android, you could either transfer the files to your Android and install them on the phone or tablet itself, or use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) to install APK files on your computer directly to your Android device without having to transfer them. We'll show you how to do both.

Install an APK File from Your PC

Enable Developer Mode and USB Debugging on your Android device.
Download SKD Platform Tools on your computer and unzip the platform tools folder.
Connect your Android device to your PC with a USB cord.
Open the Command Prompt or Terminal and “CD” to the Platform Tools directory.
Type “adb devices” to see if your device is detected.
Type “adb install [path to APK file],” and press Enter.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using ADB Developer Tools

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1
Download ADB to your computer. ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a command-line program that allows you to interface with your Android device from your computer. You can use it to install APK files directly from your PC to your Android device. ADB is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Use the following steps to download and install ADB on your computer:
- Go to the official SDK Platform Tools download website.
- Click the Download SDK Platform Tools download link for your operating system.
- Agree to the terms of service.
- Click the Download link at the bottom of the TOS.
- Extract the zip folder to an easily accessible location.
2
Install the OEM drivers for your device. In order to interface with your device, you may need to install the OEM driver for your device. You may be prompted to install the OEM driver automatically when you connect your device to your computer. If not, you can find the download link for these drivers on your Android manufacturer’s website. The following are some download sites where you can download and install OEM drivers for your device:^{[1]
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- Acer
- Alcatel Mobile
- Asus
- Dell
- FCNT
- HTC
- Huawei
- Intel
- Kyocera
- Lenovo
- LG
- Motorola
- MTK
- Samsung
- Sharp
- Sony
- Toshiba
- Xiaomi
- ZTE
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Find an APK file online. There are several popular APK repositories online. You can download APK files from APK Mirror, APKPure, Uptodown, and Internet Archive.
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Enable Developer Mode on your Android device. For ADB to interface with your Android device, you will need to enable developer mode. Use the following steps to do so:
- Swipe down from the upper-right corner of your phone.
- Tap the Gear/Settings icon to open the Settings menu.
- Scroll down and tap About Phone.
- Tap the Build number seven times.
  - This may be under Software information on some devices.
5
Enable USB debugging. USB debugging is what allows ADB to interface with your Android device. Use the following steps to enable USB debugging:
- Swipe down from the upper-right corner of your phone.
- Tap the Gear/Settings icon to open the Settings menu.
- Tap Developer options, which should now be an option in the Settings menu.
- Tap the toggle switch next to USB Debugging.
Use a USB cable to connect your Android device to your PC.
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Open the Command Prompt ot Terminal on your computer. Use one of the following steps to do so:
- Windows: Click the Windows Start menu and type cmd. Right-click the Command Prompt and click Run as administrator.
- Mac: Click the magnifying glass/spotlight icon in the upper-right corner of the menu bar. Type Terminal in the search bar. Double-click the Terminal to open it.
- Linux: Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the Terminal.
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Change directories to the path of your SDK Platform Tools folder. To do so, type cd followed by the path to the SDK Platform Tools folder you just downloaded and press Enter.
- For example, enter cd C:\Users\username\Downloads\platform-tools and press Enter.
9
Type adb devices and press ↵ Enter or Return. This will test and see if ADB is able to detect your Android device. It should list your connected Android device(s).
- If ADB does not detect your device, make sure your phone is unlocked, and you have selected “file transfer” as the USB connection type. Make sure you have USB debugging enabled and you have the correct OEM driver installed on your computer. You may need to restart your computer for the drivers to work.
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Type adb install. This is the command to install an APK file on your phone using ADB. Don’t press Enter just yet. You still need to enter the path to the APK file.
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Drag and drop the APK file into the Command Prompt or Terminal. Use File Explorer or Finder to navigate to the location of your APK file. Drag and drop it into the Command Prompt or Terminal. This will add the path to the location where you have the APK file saved on your computer. The current command should look something like the following:
- adb install “C:\Users\username\Downloads\file.apk”
This will begin installing the APK file on your computer. It will say “Success” in the Command Prompt or Terminal if the installation is successful.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Transferring and Installing APK Files

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To open the Settings menu, swipe down from the upper-right corner of the screen. Then tap the Gear/Settings icon in the upper-right corner. ^{[2]
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Allow your file manager to install unknown apps. Most Android devices come with a file manager pre-installed. On stock Android devices, this is Files by Google. On Samsung Galaxy devices, this is the My Files app. You can also install a third-party file manager, such as Ex File Explorer or Cx File Explorer, from the Google Play Store. Use the following steps to allow your file manager to install unknown apps:^{[3]
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- Tap Apps in the Settings menu.
- Tap Special app access.
  - On some devices (i.e., Samsung Galaxy), you’ll find this option by tapping the icon with three dots (⋮) in the upper-right corner.
- Tap Install unknown apps.
- Tap the toggle switch next to your file manager application.
There are several popular APK repositories online. You can download APK files from APK Mirror, APKPure, Uptodown, and Internet Archive. Use a web browser on your PC to browse these online sites and find an APK file you want to download. Click the download link to download it to your PC.
If you don’t have the cable that came with your Android, you can use any compatible USB cable.^{[4]
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To access your notifications, swipe down from the top of the screen. You should see a USB notification. It may say “USB for charging” or something similar. Tap this notification and select the “Transferring files/Android Auto” option or something similar.^{[5]
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Transfer the APK file to your phone. To do so, navigate to the APK file in File Explorer on your computer. Right-click the file and click Send to Phone.
- Alternatively, you can use File Explorer or Phone Link to transfer files to your phone.
- If you have a Mac, you will need to download Android File Transfer or OpenMTP to transfer files from an Android device to your Mac.
Make sure it is the same file manager app that you allowed to install unknown apps.
It will likely be in your Downloads or Installation Files folder. There may also be a New Files folder.^{[6]
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Install the APK file. Use the following steps to do so:^{[7]
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- Tap the APK file you want to install.
- Tap Install
- Tap Done when the file is finished installing.

Community Q&A

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Question

Can I erase the APK file after installation is complete?

Verin

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Yes, simply go into My Files and delete it just like you would any other file.

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Question

How do I install APK files from Android on a PC?

ARS_AKHIL

Community Answer

APK files are files that are meant to be executed on the Android platform, so to use such files on PC requires an Android emulator. You can find a lot of Android emulators online, Bluestack being a popular one.

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Can't I send an installed version?

Anis13

Community Answer

No. You must fully install it from your Android device. That is the only possible way.

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