The .APK file format is the name for Android Package file format. These files store the program and data information for Android based applications. These are mostly mobile and tablet applications which run on Android based mobile Devices.
The APK is one of the most common file formats in the world currently, with over one billion devices using the APK files for their android applications. The file type is derived from the ZIP and JAR package formats. Most of the .APK files in the android ecosystem are distributed through Google’s Play Store; however, individual App developers can also distribute these files externally.
| File type | Google Android Package Format |
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While searching for an answer to the question - How to open the APK file? - you probably found websites, which offer software that was able to open any file extension. Do not be fooled, there is no one program that will allow you to work with any file extension, including the APK file. Each program contains a different type of data and you need specialized software to properly work with the APK file. Here is a list of programs that are designed to work with the APK file - remember, these applications are able to open at most a few file extensions, they are designed to work with a specific data type.
If after installing the program from a list, you still cannot open a file with the APK extension, the reason may be that the file is damaged. The solution may be to find a new copy of the APK file you want to open
In this case, the easiest way is to use the tool built into the operating system for association of the APK file with applications to support it. Double click on the file you cannot open - the operating system will display a list of programs that are likely to work with your APK file. Choose one of them, or select the location on a disk where you installed one of the applications from our list. Windows should then open the APK file using the program installed earlier.
Entries containing links of the APK file extensions with applications is located in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT. If you do not know how to get to the Windows Registry, or how to make changes in it, ask a specialist for help. Lack of knowledge on the subject may cause irreversible changes on your computer.
There may be a situation when a computer virus passes itself off as the APK file. In this case, such a file will definitely not be opened. Download a good antivirus program and scan the APK file mentioned. If the antivirus application detects malicious data, it may signify that the APK file is infected.
| APREF-MS | Application Reference |
| APPX | Microsoft AppX Application Package Format |
| APPV | App-V Archive |
| APNX | Amazon Kindle Index Format |
| APDB | Apple Aperture Library |
| APA | RSView Application Manager Archive |
| APF | Adobe Acrobat Profile Format |
| APPLETVIEWER | Java Appletviewer |
| AP_ | Google Android Development Resources Package Format |
| APB | Alphacam Punch VB Macro |
