Android application package

APK
Filename extension .apk, .xapk
Internet media type application/vnd.android.package-archive
Type of format Package format
Container for mobile apps
Extended from JAR and ZIP

Android Package Kit (APK) is the package file format used by the Android operating system for distribution and installation of mobile apps and middleware.

APK files are analogous to other software packages such as APPX in Microsoft Windows or Deb packages in Debian-based operating systems like Ubuntu. To make an APK file, a program for Android is first compiled, and then all of its parts are packaged into one file. An APK file contains all of that program's code (such as .dex files), resources, assets, certificates, and manifest file. As is the case with many file formats, APK files can have any name needed, provided that the file name ends in ".apk".[1][2][3][4]

APK files are a type of archive file, specifically in zip format packages based on the JAR file format, with .apk as the filename extension. The MIME type associated with APK files is application/vnd.android.package-archive.[5]

APK files can be installed on Android powered devices just like installing software on PC. When a user downloads and installs an Android application from either an official source (such as Google Play), or from some other (unofficial) site, they are installing an APK file on their device. A user or developer can also install an APK file directly to a device (that is, not via download from the network) from a desktop computer, using a communication program such as adb, or from within a file manager app in a process known as sideloading. By default, the ability to install from unofficial sites or directly from a desktop or file manager is disabled for security reasons on most Android devices. Users can enable it by changing the setting "Unknown sources" in the Settings menu.[6]

Package contents

An APK file is an archive that usually contains the following files and directories:

 Signature-Version: 1.0
 Created-By: 1.0 (Android)
 SHA1-Digest-Manifest: wxqnEAI0UA5nO5QJ8CGMwjkGGWE=
 ...
 Name: res/layout/exchange_component_back_bottom.xml
 SHA1-Digest: eACjMjESj7Zkf0cBFTZ0nqWrt7w=
Name: res/drawable-hdpi/icon.png
 SHA1-Digest: DGEqylP8W0n0iV/ZzBx3MW0WGCA=

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Inside the Android Application Framework" (video). Google Sites. Google. 2008.
  2. ↑ Hatem Ben Yacoub (19 January 2008). "Tips: How to install apk files on Android Emulator". Open Handset Magazine. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008.
  3. ↑ "The Structure of Android Package (APK) Files". OPhone SDN. OPhone Software Developer Network. 17 November 2010.
  4. ↑ chibucks (28 May 2010). "Learn to Fish: General Structure of an APK". SDX-Developers Forum. Simple Machines Forum.
  5. ↑ "Developer description of MIME type for .apk". Androidguys.com. 2008-10-21. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
  6. ↑ "What is an APK File and How to Install it?". Android Picks.
  7. ↑ "ABI Management | Android Developers". developer.android.com. Retrieved 2016-03-30.
  8. ↑ "ABI Management | Android Developers". developer.android.com. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
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