alphabetical list of extensions

File extension .APK

File description

Files with the APK extension comprises of the application programs that have been generated for the Google’s Android mobile based operating system. This Android platform is based on the Linux Operating system and was primarily designed by the Open Handset Alliance for use on the Smartphones, nevertheless, the Android platform is now available on the tablets in addition to the mobile phone usage.

Such files that consist of the APK file format is useful in storing the files that are required to run one Android application on the similar mobile device. These APK extensions are compressed file archive that contains the codes for the program, mainly the application resource files and the AndroidManifest.xml

.APK detailed description

APK (Android Application Package) file format is a package distribution file format used by Android applications – basically it’s Android app installation file. APK file contains all required resources needed to install and run given application under Android OS environment, including program code, necessary data and assets, certificates and manifest file. APK files are usually downloaded to mobile devices directly from Google Play Store.

APK file structure and package creation

Android apps are created with Android Studio software. First, the application is compiled, and then the generated file is put into a container file. APK file is basically a compressed ZIP archive with .APK extension, and similar in structure to JAR file container.

Key files and folders in APK package

META-INF folder – contains the manifest file (manifest.mf), certificate (cert.rsa) and list of resources in the archive (cert.sf);
lib folder – libraries required by specific device architectures (armeabi, armeabi-v7a, arm64-v8a, x86, x86_64, mips); further divided into subfolders;
res folder – resources not compiled into resources.arsc;
assets folder – contains resources that can be retrieved by AssetManager;
AndroidManifest.xml – manifest file describing the name, version, access rights, and referenced library files for the application.
classes.dex – Java classes compiled in DEX format;
resources.arsc – precompiled resources used by the application.

*Source: https://www.file-extension.info/format/apk

Other possible reasons why your .APK file does not want to open

In addition to the problem described above, i.e. the lack of the appropriate application to support the .APK file, there may be several reasons that cause problems with opening and operation of the data format:

1. Incorrect version of the installed application

A quite common problem is the lack of application in the appropriate version. Even if you have an application, with the help of which you should open the .APK file, you may have a problem with it because of its version. Perhaps in previous versions the application has not yet supported the .APK file, so download the update and check again.

2. Incorrect .APK file association with the program

If you have already installed the appropriate application, and it is the correct version, the file may not open correctly, because the operating system does not have information that this program supports the file. So you need to "show" which program the computer should use. To do this:

Right-click the .APK file
Go to the "Open with" - then "Choose default program ..."
Locate the appropriate application
Click "OK"

3. The file is corrupt

It also happens that the file you want to open is corrupt and therefore there is no such possibility. In this situation, you should find its different version, or ask a person from whom you got, to send it again.