How to Share Installed Android APK Files: Methods and Steps

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Question:

how to share installed android apk ?

Answer:

Sharing an installed Android APK (Android Package) file can be useful if you want to distribute an app that you have installed on your device. Here are the steps to share an installed APK:

Method 1: Using a File Manager App

  1. Install a File Manager App: If you don't already have one, install a file manager app from the Google Play Store. Some popular options include ES File Explorer, Solid Explorer, and File Manager by Xiaomi.

  2. Locate the APK File:

    • Open the file manager app.
    • Navigate to the directory where APK files are stored. This is usually /data/app or /data/app-private, but these directories are not accessible without root access.
    • If your device is not rooted, you can use the file manager to back up the APK from the installed apps list. For example, in ES File Explorer:
      • Go to the "App" section.
      • Find the app you want to share.
      • Long-press the app and select "Backup". The APK will be saved in a folder like /sdcard/backups/apps.

  3. Share the APK File:

    • Navigate to the backup folder where the APK is saved.
    • Long-press the APK file and select the "Share" option.
    • Choose the method you want to use to share the file (e.g., email, Bluetooth, messaging apps, cloud storage).

Method 2: Using APK Extractor Apps

  1. Install an APK Extractor App: Download and install an APK extractor app from the Google Play Store. Some popular options include APK Extractor, APK Export, and App Backup & Restore.

  2. Extract the APK:

    • Open the APK extractor app.
    • Find the app you want to share from the list of installed apps.
    • Select the app and choose the option to extract or export the APK. The APK file will be saved to a specified location on your device.

  3. Share the APK File:

    • Navigate to the location where the APK file is saved.
    • Long-press the APK file and select the "Share" option.
    • Choose the method you want to use to share the file (e.g., email, Bluetooth, messaging apps, cloud storage).

Method 3: Using ADB (Android Debug Bridge)

  1. Set Up ADB:

    • Download and install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your computer.
    • Enable Developer Options and USB Debugging on your Android device. Go to Settings > About phone and tap Build number seven times to enable Developer Options. Then go to Settings > Developer options and enable USB debugging.

  2. Connect Your Device:

    • Connect your Android device to your computer using a USB cable.
    • Open a command prompt or terminal window on your computer.

  3. Find the APK Path:

    • Use the following ADB command to list the installed packages and find the package name of the app you want to share: 
      adb shell pm list packages
    • Once you have the package name, use the following command to find the path to the APK file: 
      adb shell pm path com.example.app
      Replace com.example.app with the actual package name.

  4. Pull the APK File:

    • Use the following command to pull the APK file from your device to your computer: 
      adb pull /data/app/com.example.app-1/base.apk
      Replace /data/app/com.example.app-1/base.apk with the actual path returned by the previous command.

  5. Share the APK File:

    • Once the APK file is on your computer, you can share it via email, cloud storage, or any other method you prefer.

Note:

  • Sharing APK files may violate the terms of service of some apps, especially if they are paid apps or have licensing restrictions. Always ensure you have the right to share the APK file.
  • Be cautious when sharing APK files, as they can be modified to include malicious code. Only share APKs from trusted sources.