Owners of Android devices who do not have the ability to connect to a wireless Wi-Fi network very often ask themselves from a computer with Internet access. This is done quite simply. Let's look at a few basic options.

How to install applications on Android from a computer: basic options

Of course, the easiest way to install the application or game you like on your mobile device is to directly access the Google Play service from the gadget or an Internet resource with the program, if it is not available in the official repository. But there are situations when there is no wireless network at home. In this case, only a computer with a direct connection can be used.

This is where the problem arises: how from a computer (Google Play is not available due to lack of connection on a mobile device)? There is an exit. The following are the simplest methods for installing applications:

• Using access to Google Play through any web browser.
• Install downloaded applications as APK files.
• Installation using control computer utilities.

How to install applications on Android from a computer through Google Play?

The first and simplest method is to use the most common Internet browser. We assume that the mobile device is already connected. If there is no USB cable connection, you can connect it in the following steps.

So, first in the browser we enter the official page of the Google Play service. It looks exactly the same as on a smartphone, except that the size is larger. First you need to log in by entering your registered Gmail email address (login) and password in the appropriate fields. Next, find the desired application or game. To do this, you can use the search bar or select a program by popularity rating, category, installation type (paid, free), etc.

After that, you should connect the device to the computer and go through identification directly, if the account is not activated by default. When it is synchronized on the computer and mobile device, the compatibility of the downloaded software with the Android device will be determined automatically.

Now it remains only to click on the button to start the installation. After that, the service will prompt you to select the device on which the selected application is supposed to be installed. There may be several on the list. Perhaps the user has both a tablet and a smartphone. All devices to which the account was previously linked will be grayed out. Select the connected device, click the install button and wait for the process to finish.

Installing Apps Downloaded from Unofficial Resources

Now consider the question of having a computer that was downloaded from third-party Internet resources. But here you need to perform a few preliminary steps.

First, on the device, you need to go to the settings and select the security section. In it, check the box next to the option to allow installation from unknown sources. Otherwise, the system will not allow you to install the program from a standard APK file. Download the required file to your computer. After that, copy it to the removable media of the mobile device (SD card). Further installation is carried out directly from the device. This applies to cases where the computer system does not have a single program to control a smartphone or tablet.

Installing applications with a cache

Now let's see, HTC devices or devices from other manufacturers (there is no difference), for which a prerequisite is to create a cache folder on the mobile gadget and copy the necessary content into it (as a rule, the installer and cache are downloaded separately when downloading). The installation principle is the same as in the previous case. The installation APK file is copied to the device, and then the main program files are installed.

After that, using any file manager, the same standard Windows Explorer or the corresponding program on a mobile device, you need to create an obb folder in the data directory of the Android directory. Although usually cache data downloaded from the Internet is located in such a folder after unpacking the archive. It remains just to copy it to the right place. If the obb folder already exists on the device, only the contents of the original downloaded directory are copied into it.

Note: don't confuse the sdcard directory with the SD card! In the Android system, the sdcard is the internal storage. The full path to the cache folder is sdcard/Android/data/obb/. Sometimes it can be sdcard/Android/obb/ or other variations. A striking example is the installation of a mobile version of the popular music sequencer FL Studio. True, in addition to copying the cache, you will still have to work hard here, since you will need to create a folder of tools. But for most programs, such actions are not required.

Using Control Programs

Finally, one of the universal solutions to the problem of how to install applications on Android from a computer is to use special mobile device management programs. Which one is chosen is not so important. The general principle of installation is that a connection must be established between the computer and the mobile device (USB cable, Bluetooth or Wi-fi). Consider the simplest version of how to install applications on Android from a computer via a USB connection using applications like Mobogenie or highly specialized programs like Sony PC Companion and the like.

There are several options here. For example, you can specify an installation from a file saved on your computer, as is the case with the Sony PC Companion. And you can select the application directly from the program (Mobogenie) in a special section. Or even with its help, go to the same practically no different from the methods described above, which in this case are simply combined into one.

But the advantage of applications like Mobogenie is that they are able to emulate the operation of Android in a Windows environment or any other operating system. In other words, a game or program installed on a mobile device can be launched through a control application directly on a computer or laptop.

Conclusion

As can be seen from all of the above, the problem of how to install applications on Android from a computer is solved quite simply. What to give preference? Installation through a browser from the official service seems to be the easiest, but authorization is required here. Copying the installation file to the device looks more attractive in this regard, but it requires setting permissions and pre-checking the distribution for viruses. Many will also like the use of control utilities, but they must first be installed on a PC. So the question of preference and choice of installation type remains with the user.

Do you like the game on your smartphone and would like to play it at home on the big screen? Or has the Android utility turned out to be so convenient that it would be useful to use it when working at a computer? There are times when a program was created exclusively for this platform and the search for analogues for PC does not give the desired results. For all the situations described, there is one solution - running the android utility on the computer. To do this, you first need to select an emulator that allows you to run Android programs on a computer running Windows.

There are many such programs on the Internet. The most common are Bluestacks, Droid4x and Genymotion. All of them are free to download and are always available on the developers' websites. The application distribution is added to the emulator in two ways. You can use the installation files with the APK extension, previously downloaded from our website, or access the programs directly through Google Play.

Consider the options for using voiced emulators.

How to Install Apps with Bluestacks

1. Download android emulator on pc and install. Once installed, a toolbar will appear at the top of your desktop.
2. Together with the program, several relevant modern applications are automatically installed. You can run them to check if they work.
3. To search for the necessary android applications, use the search bar at the top of the main program window. BlueStacks will search multiple online stores at once. The largest of them (Market, GetJar, Appstore, 1Mobile and Amazon) are immediately searchable by default.
4. You will need a Google account to install from Google Play. You can use an existing entry or create a new one.
5. After verifying your account, you will see a list of applications according to your search query. Choose what you need. Please note that for free should be marked "Free". For paid ones, the purchase price is indicated.
6. Click the "Install" button. In the window that appears, click "Accept". The installation process will begin.
7. After waiting for the installation process to complete, you can safely proceed to launch your favorite Android application on your PC.

How to install apps using Droid4x

1. Download the android emulator to your computer and install it. A launch shortcut will appear on the desktop.
2. Launch Droid4x using the shortcut.
3. A window will open in which the icons of the most frequently used menus will be immediately displayed. Here, in the main window, there is a Google Play shortcut.
4. We go to the Google Play store. In the search bar, we type the name of the program we are interested in and click OK.
5. From the proposed list, select the desired application and click "Install".
6. In the window that appears, click "Accept". The installation process will begin.
7. Immediately upon completion of the installation, you will be prompted to launch the application and enjoy the features of android on the big screen.

How to install apps with Genymotion

1. To receive a link to download the installation files, you must register on the site using your email address. The link will be sent in the registration confirmation email.
2. In the window that opens, select the installation option and click the appropriate button.
3. The installation will start, after which the VirtualBox, Genymotion and Genymotion Shell shortcuts will appear on the desktop.
4. Launching Genymotion using the shortcut, you will find the buttons "Play", "Add" and "Settings" ("Play", "Add" and "Settings"). They serve to create and run a virtual Android gadget, and to set up an emulator.
5. To create a virtual device, click "Add", use your credentials created in step 1. A list of devices will appear in front of you.
6. Read the list and select the device, click "Add".
7. In the window that appears, click "Next", after which the installation of the virtual machine will begin. Then, when prompted by the emulator, enter a name for your device and click Finish.
8. To launch a device, select it in the main window of the program and click "Play".
9. After that, you can select, install and launch applications as if from the screen of your device.

Summarize

All the considered emulators cope with the main function - running android utilities on a PC. Regarding ease of use and performance, small conclusions can be drawn. They will help you choose an emulator in order to transfer android applications to your computer.

BlueStacks- a simple emulator that performs the main task, but nothing more. The utility allows you to run games, but it does not always work stably and performance leaves much to be desired. It is distributed shareware, that is, the basic set of functions is free, and you will have to pay for additional features. Acceptable option for home use.

Droid4x- also simple and not demanding, but, unlike the previous colleague in the shop, more functional and productive. A huge plus is the stability of work and at the same time it is absolutely free, it never asks for the purchase of additional functions and other things. Great option for home use.

Genymotion is a higher rank emulator with many additional features. However, they will be of interest mainly to developers for the initial run-in of their programs before testing on real devices. The quality of the product and the focus on professional use led to the appearance of a minus for ordinary users - the emulator is distributed on a paid basis. The free version does not have an internet connection and many necessary functions. Not suitable for home use.

When buying any device with this OS, the question arises of the need to complete it with a number of applications necessary for full-fledged work and entertainment. Therefore, it is important to know how to install programs on Android. Moreover, their choice is huge, which distinguishes this operating system from others. In addition, applications of not only the native developer company, but also all others can successfully work on this OS. The only need is to know the rules for their installation, common to all.

general information

There are several main installation methods, each of which, of course, has its own characteristics. But any user will master them without any problems, since they are all quite simple. If you learn these basics, then the question of how to install programs on Android will not exist for you. You can easily install both the simplest utility and a very serious application with many functions.

How can you recognize an application for Android among others? It doesn't get easier. Absolutely all file packages have the .apk extension. What does it mean? These are several zipped files that provide the installation of the utility we need. With the help of any archiver, you can always view the contents of the file of interest to us. Now let's take a quick look at these installation methods.

With the help of the Play Market

This is probably the most affordable, easiest and fastest way to solve the issue of how to install programs on Android. No special, special knowledge is needed and no need to look for ways to install this utility. It is initially available on most smartphones of the latest models. What needs to be done? Decide on the Play Market with the choice of the necessary program and just click on the “Install” button. Everything else will happen with almost no user interaction.

Unless you have to accept the terms of the license agreement. This is a very convenient way, which also allows you to track the appearance of updates for installed software. This option has only one drawback: if you like to constantly download new applications, you can go broke on paying for Internet traffic. You will have to use a Wi-Fi connection.

Installing programs from a memory card

Thanks to this method, you can just save a lot of traffic. So how to install programs on Android using memory cards? After all, before something can be launched, it must somehow appear there. In our case, this is a file manager that needs to be downloaded from the Web and activated. Next, download the program we like and save it on your personal computer. The next step is to move this file to the smartphone.

The easiest way to do this is with a USB cable. After that, we specify the path to it in the file manager. It remains to do the simplest. Select the desired file, give the manager a command to install it. Our smart utility will do the rest. All such applications work on the same principle.

Installation using the built-in browser, as well as Gmail

Here we will not consider the option of using the built-in explorer. And we do the following. We create a directory in the memory card with the file name and the apk extension we already know. Then open the browser built into the smartphone. Specify the path to this file directly in the address bar. Press the Enter button, and the desired application will automatically begin to install. That is, we completely managed without a guide. You just need to remember that this method does not automatically update utilities.

You can install the best programs for Android, and not only them, gracefully and simply using Gmail, since this program is able to recognize the apk format. To implement this method, send the required file to your Gmail mail. Then open the letter and click the install button. And, as usual, the application will be installed on the device automatically.

Installing Third Party Applications

There are also cases when the application you need is simply not available on Google Play or the Play Market. And for whatever reason, you can't do without it. For example, certain Russian programs for Android were needed. What to do in this case? There is nothing particularly difficult in such a situation. First you need to allow your device to install software from unknown sources. In the “Security” section, find such an item and tick it. We find the desired utility and download it to a smartphone or personal computer.

The only thing we recommend is to use only trusted sources for this, since there is a possibility of downloading software infected with viruses. When downloading a file to your smartphone, look for it in “Downloads”, click on it and start the installation. The computer is a little more difficult. We copy the necessary utility to the mobile device, and there we already launch it using the file manager.

What are the best programs for “ Android”

As we have already said, this operating system is the most popular and has already received a really huge number of a wide variety of applications throughout its existence. The best programs for Android are those that most users have. After all, this is precisely the sign of popularity. Such software is constantly discussed, and users make their wishes and suggestions to developers.

As a result, such utilities are constantly improving and becoming even more popular. Now we will talk about some of them. By the way, only rather complex software is considered, which, despite being developed for Android, very often meets the requirements for the desktop version of a personal computer. Especially related to information security and data security. So what are the best apps for Android?

ROM Manager and System Tuner

It is the first program that heads our list. It allows you to restore the current, current version of the firmware, as well as create backups. Thanks to its use, not only the safety of data is ensured, but you can also study aspects of the operation of the Android OS. ROM Manager is good because changing the firmware is very easy, and if there is any failure in the process, it is very easy to restore the version installed before. Also, using this utility, partition the SD card or install the firmware directly from it.

When choosing the best programs for Android, pay attention to System Tuner, the most convenient task manager. In addition to standard functions, it allows the user to select applications for automatic launch, monitor how RAM is being used, and also helps to configure / adjust the frequency of the processor. In addition, thanks to System Tuner, you can assign a convenient memory card cache size, customize applications and move them around the system. By the way, these, like many others, programs for Android are provided for free, which is important for some users.

Readers for Android

Smartphones have developed special programs designed to read documents in the following formats: ePub, FB2, DOC, djvu, PDF. One of the best readers is the Google Play application, which has an intuitive interface that allows the user to master it very quickly. Well-known and such a program for reading on "Android" as Cool Reader. With its help, you can successfully overcome almost any format of books on a tablet or smartphone. With each update, something is sure to be added to make the reading process more comfortable, regardless of the amount of information. View any office documents will also help "Android".

Programs in Russian, such as, for example, Kingsoft Office and OfficeSuite Pro, will provide convenient work both on a smartphone with a small screen and on a tablet with a relatively wide HD display. They support more than two dozen different formats such as ZIP, EML, PDF, PPSM, PPTM, PPSX, PPS, PPTX, PPT, CSV, XLSM, XLSX, XLS, TXT, RTF, DOCM, DOCX, DOC and others. In addition, all these applications are absolutely free, and in terms of functionality they do not differ much from paid ones. The same applies to the program for reading pdf-files on Android - Adobe Reader. Using this utility, you can add comments to documents, synchronize them with other devices, send them to a printer, etc.

Using "Android" as a cracker

The devices we are considering with the most common OS can, like a personal computer, be used as a password cracker for Wi-Fi networks, social network accounts, and much more. For this purpose, there are special programs for hacking on Android. Take for example Wibr + - a utility for connecting to other people's Wi-Fi routers. It is very popular among hackers. But when downloading such an application, be prepared to run into a fake, of which there are a lot, and they are mostly designed for inexperienced users. They can also harm your device.

But some utilities, like Wibr+, can actually help you connect to a poorly secured Wi-Fi network. It is this application that serves as an excellent proof of the possibility of hacking from a regular smartphone and without special professional knowledge. The essence of the work of this cracker is to select the correct password. He will not cope with complex ones, but relatively weak ones are tough for him. However, it is worth remembering that such actions are not only immoral, but also illegal.

Download Master - program for downloading files

In each device, in principle, a file loader is initially installed. But, as often happens, it is not very convenient, not very functional. And many users prefer to install a program for downloading their own, favorite and familiar.

A lot of people liked Download Master - a convenient and powerful tool with which you can not only increase the speed of downloading files, but also resume those that were interrupted, manage (and very efficiently) downloaded files. Also, this manager allows you to download and save videos from RuTube, Google Video, Rambler Vision, YouTube and other similar services. Integrates with all existing browsers, has its own scheduler, search for downloaded files, built-in FTP Explorer and much more.

On many smartphones, the Android operating system is installed, where initially there are a lot of icons behind which various applications are hidden. Before we figure out how to put an application on Android, let's figure out what an Android application means?

The Android application is a program with clear functionality, which is designed to work normally on a smartphone, taking into account its capabilities. For example, such a program can be a game, a State Services application, a Sberbank application, a VKontakte application, and numerous other Android applications.

On the other hand, an Android application is an "apk" file (from the English Android Package).

The "apk" file is an executive or installation file. It contains the application code and all the resources needed to get the application up and running. After going through the procedure for installing the apk file, you can use the application.

In accordance with the fact that the Android application is

• or a normal application
• or an application in the form of an apk file,

Then you can install the application on Android in two ways:

1. like a regular application that is installed from the store, or
2. as an application that is launched through the installation apk file.

Applications: pre-installed and those that are installed by the user

Devices running on the Android operating system already contain a large number of applications from the moment of purchase. Such applications are called differently:

• preinstalled,
• factory,
• default applications
• etc.

Preinstalled software typically includes applications that provide antivirus protection, device navigation, geolocation, communication, and more. When the user gets comfortable with the functionality that has already been installed, he may need to add applications on his own, of his choice.

Users who have just started mastering Android often have a question: why do we need applications for Android, and even in such a quantity? Is it possible to do without them?

You can not install new applications, and turn off already pre-installed applications. Accordingly, in this case, the smartphone becomes a “morally obsolete” mobile device, which only allows you to call, send / receive SMS and see the time. Agree that such a “stripped down” functionality of a smartphone suits few people.

In any case, as you master it, there is a need to install any applications: VKontakte, Facebook, WhatsApp or others. As they say, appetite comes with eating. Android apps are easy to install, and if you don't like them, you can easily uninstall them. Below we will consider these actions in more detail using the example of an Android application for Yandex.Mail.

How to put an application on Android from stores: the first way

The word "shop" does NOT mean at all that the Android application will be paid. The store can have both free and paid apps.

Installing applications is easiest from the Google Play Market. In the Play Store, it is convenient to search for the necessary applications and find out information about them. Installing applications from the Play Store is carried out by clicking on the "Install" button.

Consider how to download Yandex.Mail on Android. The application is supported on smartphones and tablets based on Android 4.0.3 and higher. To download other applications, the steps will be almost exactly the same.

The Play Market app is pre-installed for Android. Find the Play Market icon among Android Applications and open it:

Rice. 1. You can find the Play Market in Android Applications

Having opened the Play Market store, you need to look for the Yandex.Mail application. For this you can:

1 in fig. 2 - enter "Yandex mail" in the search bar and
2 in fig. 2 - the application will be found:

Rice. 2. Download Yandex Mail for Android from the Play Market

It is important to open the official Android applications, because, alas, there are many "fake" ones.

Open the Yandex.Mail application in the Google Play Market to download and install it:

Rice. 3. Install Yandex Mail on Android

Before installing the application on Android, for security purposes

Rice. 4. Accept permissions before downloading Yandex.Mail on Android

By clicking the "Accept" permission for Yandex.Mail, the application will be downloaded to Android. And you will be able to open mail or delete:

After the Yandex.Mail application is installed, you can later find the mail icon in Android Applications:

Rice. 6. Installed Yandex.Mail can be found in Applications

The Google Play Market is NOT the only store where you can download Android apps.

• From domestic stores, Yandex Store can be distinguished.
• The American Amazon AppStore is also widely known.

How to uninstall an Android app

It happens that they used the application for Android, but then for some reason it does not suit you and there is a desire to delete it. The pre-installed application can only be turned off, it cannot be deleted.

And those applications that the user installed himself are easy to remove. For example, consider how to remove the Yandex.Mail application.

Open "Settings" Android:

Rice. 7. Android settings can be found in Applications

In the Settings we find the "Device" tab and go to the Application Manager:

Rice. 8. Android Settings - Device - Application Manager

In the Application Manager, from the whole variety of applications, you need to find the Yandex.Mail application, which will need to be deleted:

Rice. 9. Find Yandex.Mail in the Application Manager

Before deleting Yandex.Mail, it is advisable to:

1 in fig. 10 - Clear cache,
2 - Clear data, then
3 in fig. 10 - Delete Yandex.Mail.

Rice. 10. Clear the cache, data and delete Yandex.Mail

Delete the Yandex.Mail application means that such an application will not be in the smartphone. But this does not mean at all that along with the application it will be deleted.

If you need to delete your Yandex.mail account, then I wrote about how to do it on a computer.

If there is no “Delete” button for any application, or this button is not pressed, then such an application cannot be deleted, because Android will not be able to function normally without it.

How to put an application on Android: the second way is an apk file

Apps on the Android system can also be installed by directly clicking on the "apk" file, which was NOT obtained from the Play Store. Such a file can be delivered not immediately, but at a convenient time. In addition, such a file can be sent to a friend.

There is an Apkpure store where you can download an apk file for any Android application:

Please note that in order to install applications NOT from the Play Store, you will need to enable the "Unknown sources" option in the device's security settings on Android.

• To do this, open the "Settings" of Android (Fig. 7),
• in the Settings we find the “System” tab (2 in Fig. 11),
• and in the System open "Security" (3 in Fig. 11):

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Unlike iOS and other closed systems, Android developers have provided the ability to install a variety of applications on their own, without the participation of the Google Play Store and other content stores. Having an .apk file on hand, you can install a paid application yourself, without paying a penny for it.

"Why resort to self-installation with .apk files?"- you ask, and then that not all applications are presented in the Google Play Store, and besides, most of them are paid and cost money. All Android applications have .apk extensions - in fact, this is a kind of archive, the contents of which can be viewed by anyone archiver.

Where to begin?

The first action that you need to perform is to allow the installation of applications from unknown sources, go to Settings/Settings -> Applications/Application Settings and check the box next to Unknown Sources and click OK.

1. Install applications using the file manager

After this simple step, you can copy the .apk file to your phone's SD card. Further, to install the application, you can use any file manager that recognizes and understands apk files. For these purposes, ASTRO File Manager or ES File Explorer are suitable.

Launch the file manager, find the apk file, tap on it and install the application using the standard Android installer.

2. Install apps using the app manager

In addition, to simplify the procedure for installing applications for Android, there are special programs - application managers. One such program is SlideME Mobentoo App Installer.

This popular Android application manager will automatically scan your smartphone's SD card for apk files and help you quickly install the required application in one click. Isn't it convenient?

3. Install applications using computer and USB

However, the most convenient way to install applications for Android is by connecting your smartphone to a computer via a USB cable. To do this, you will need the InstallAPK program and USB drivers. Install it on your computer, do not forget about the drivers, connect your smartphone via USB cable and double click on the apk file.

InstallAPK will automatically identify the apk file and start installing the application on your Android phone. You will only need to agree with the installation of the application and click the "Install" button.

4. Other ways to install Android apps

If you do not want to install any additional programs, then you can install the application from apk files in the old, old-fashioned way. Launch the standard Android browser and enter the following link in the address bar of the browser and the installation will start automatically:

content://com.android.htmlfileprovider/sdcard/Filename.apk

This method is not very convenient, and is suitable for those who rarely install Android programs.

Conclusion

In this article, we tried to describe all the ways we know how to install an Android application from apk files. If you know other ways to install programs - write to us about them in the comments and we will definitely include these methods in this article. Stay with us.