How to download a program from a computer to a phone. adb driver and command line. Installing applications via PC without an active Internet connection on your smartphone
In this article we will talk about how to install applications or games from *.apk files on Android. Sooner or later, owners of devices running Android are faced with a situation where the standard functionality of the system becomes boring, and an irresistible desire to expand it appears.
Unlike iOS, where installing applications is based on working with the iTunes Store, Google developers have provided the ability to install programs using standard tools. But to do this, you need to allow the installation of applications from unknown sources, go to Settings -> Applications and check the box next to Unknown Sources.
All applications for the Android operating system come with the *.apk file extension. As for the structure of such files, essentially an apk file is an ordinary archive, the contents of which you can view with any archiver. The Android operating system independently recognizes such files and understands what to do with them. Thus, you can install applications on Android in several ways.
1. Install *.apk file on Android
The first, and in our opinion, the most common way is to install a *.apk file on Android using a file manager. All you need to do to do this is transfer the *.apk file to the SD card of your device. Then use any available file manager with the ability to install applications. We recommend using ASTRO File Manager or ES File Explorer.
Then launch the file manager, find the *.apk file and install the application using the standard Android installer.
In addition, you can install the application without using file managers, using a standard browser. Just enter content://com.android.htmlfileprovider/sdcard/FileName.apk into the address bar and the installation will start automatically. In this example, the *.apk file is located in the root folder of the SD card.
2. Installation using application manager
The second, easiest way to install *.apk files on Android is to use application managers. These programs were created to simplify the installation of applications via *.apk files as much as possible. And indeed it is! We tested a program called SlideME Mobentoo App Installer, which we recommend to you.
SlideME Mobentoo App Installer will scan your device's SD card as quickly as possible and display a list of all *.apk files found. After which you can easily install the necessary applications in almost one click.
3. Installation via computer and USB
In addition to the above, we know one more, and perhaps the most convenient way - installing *.apk applications by connecting the Android device to the computer via a USB cable. We recommend that you use the InstallAPK program and USB drivers.
Just install InstallAPK on your computer, then connect your smartphone via USB cable and double-click the *.apk file. The program will independently identify the *.apk file and start installing the application on your Android device.
Progress does not stand still, and now touchscreen phones and tablets have become generally available. A huge number of applications and games on Android OS will satisfy any user's needs: you can install from a bright flashlight to an online strategy game and Skype.
Application sources can be either special applications installed on smartphones by default (such as PlayMarket, Google Play) or Internet resources (for example, Ebay, Myppc).
To install a downloaded application from a memory card, you will need the “AppsInstaller” application, which can be found on PlayMarket. The application scans the memory card for *.apk files and displays a list of found applications. We select the desired application and it is automatically installed. The installer for Android applications, in addition to the above, are also file managers: ES File Explorer (ES Explorer), ASTRO File Manager, Glance, Explorer, X-plore.
The choice of applications on Android is almost limitless, sometimes we get so carried away by the game that we clog up the phone’s memory with unnecessary and forgotten 3D wallpapers, games, and widgets. This wastes the power of the gadget, so it is worth periodically cleaning it from unnecessary applications.
This article will tell you, including all the examples and details, how to install Android on your tablet, smartphone, or other devices.
There will also be a lot of advice on this matter.
- Step #1. Installing and obtaining ROOT rights
- Click on this button and the program downloads;
- Click on the downloaded file and open the Kingo Android ROOT program. (Click "YES" if the system asks for permission to start.);
- Inside the program we can see that the device is not yet connected. We connect our phone via USB;
We will also need to enable debug mode (in the program itself there will be pictures with instructions on how to do this). If the instructions are not enough for you, then you need to find the “Developer Menu” and enable the “USB Debugging” option;
1.6. After our program has seen the device, the “ROOT” button will appear;
1.7. Click on it. Ready! You have received ROOT rights to your device.
The next step will be to update Recovery.
Recovery or special boot mode is a special mode on the device, thanks to which you can restore the system or download updates for it.
Installing Recovery
To install Recovery we will use the application - ROM Manager, this program is specially made for easy access to the Recovery system.
- First, we must go from our gadget to the ROM Manager website;
- Click on the download button and download this application;
- Next, go to downloads and click “Install application”;
- Go to ROM Manager. And we immediately see the “CloclworkMod” button in the main menu.
Click on it and the application is updated to the latest version;
- The top line will contain the model name of your gadget. Click on it;
- Next, Recovery will be installed and downloaded to your device (This action requires an Internet connection);
- Then select the line to save the current ROM. We save the file so that we can find it at any time (we write all the names, save the file under a name convenient for us, and also set the current save date);
- After this, the phone/tablet will perform a standard reboot. All actions will take place as usual;
- Also, the backup copy will be saved on your device in a specific folder that you specify;
- The backup is complete.
Advice! Do not under any circumstances delete the backup you have saved. If you downloaded Android and something went wrong, you won't be able to do anything back!
How to copy an application from a computer to a smartphone and install it? Is it necessary to go to Google Play (Market)? The answers to these questions are in our article.
What to do if there is very little traffic on the mobile Internet, but you urgently need to download and install the application on a mobile device with Android OS? It would probably be a good idea to download a program or game onto a regular personal computer, and then simply copy it to a smartphone and launch it there.
We will provide several convenient ways to install applications on Android from a computer.
We will give a couple of convenient ways to install applications on Android from a computer.
Method 1. We throw everything on
Once you download this convenient utility to your PC, you will have the enviable opportunity to install applications on Android devices directly from your computer. This software is perfectly compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8.
All you need is to launch the program and connect your phone or tablet via USB. In the smartphone settings menu, go to the “Security” section (“Applications” for older versions of the OS), where we check the box next to “Unknown sources”.
In English: Settings - Application Settings (Security) - Unknown Sources.
Next, double-click on the *.apk file previously downloaded to your computer, after which the installation will complete.
If the installation still does not occur, go to the smartphone settings, select “For Developers” and check the box next to “USB Debugging”.
For the program to work, sometimes you may need to install special drivers, which you can download for free from the developer’s website.
By the way, you can download the Android application, which a priori comes with such an extension, not only on Google Market. Popular games and programs for smartphones based on the above operating system can be found on our website.
The only drawback is that this program does not work with all phone models. And if your device ends up in a small number of such unlucky smartphones, then another method will suit you, revealing how to install programs on Android from a computer.
Method 2: Installing the application through the built-in browser
In order for method number three to function, we will need to install a file manager. We choose ES Explorer, but you can install any other one.
Why do we say “for the next method to work”? Due to the fact that this method is too long and inconvenient for constant use, and by installing the proposed application, everything will be done in a few clicks.
So, connect the device to the computer and copy the apk file to the root of the memory card. Next, disconnect the cord, launch the browser and enter content://com.android.htmlfileprovider/sdcard/ApplicationName.apk or
file:///sdcard/ApplicationName.apk (depending on your OS version).
Method 3. Work for ES Explorer
For this method we need a useful program. This is a file manager that allows you to view all folders located on your smartphone or tablet. But the main thing is that it can be used to copy or move files from the communicator’s memory to an SD card and vice versa, as well as install games and programs on an Android tablet or smartphone.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
1. install the ES Explorer program on your smartphone;
2. connect the smartphone to the PC and copy the required apk file from the computer to the smartphone’s memory;
3. Disconnect the device from the computer and launch ES Explorer in the smartphone itself, find the apk file and double-click on it to install the program.
Method 4. Gmail doesn't just receive mail
This is a very convenient and original way to install a program on Android, which only a few users know about, but judging by its complexity, we can say it’s outrageously easy.
So, we send a message to our gmail mail, attaching an apk file to the letter. Having opened it through the Gmail application, we will see that an “Install” button has appeared opposite the attached file (the application automatically detects the file).
By clicking on the button, you will download and install the application.
Important
Please note that if you are installing applications not from GooglePlay, a window will appear on your smartphone screen: “Installation blocked.”
The fact is that for security reasons, installation of applications from unknown sources on the device is prohibited. In this case, we do the same as at the beginning of the first method.
Select: Settings - Personal (Security) - Unknown sources. After this, such an operation as installing a game on Android from a computer or other methods will become quite accessible.
Owners of Android devices who do not have the ability to connect to a wireless Wi-Fi network very often wonder whether they can connect 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 an 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, you can only use a directly connected computer.
This is where the problem arises: how to do it from a computer (Google Play is not available due to lack of connection on the mobile device)? There is an exit. The simplest methods for installing applications are the following:
- Using access to Google Play through any web browser.
- Installation of downloaded applications as APK files.
- Installation using computer management utilities.
How to install applications on Android from a computer via Google Play?
The first and easiest method is to use the most common Internet browser. We assume that the mobile device is already connected. If there is no connection via the USB cable, 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 this, 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 all that remains is to click on the start installation button. After this, the service will prompt you to select the device on which you intend to install the selected application. There may be several of them on the list. Perhaps the user has both a tablet and a smartphone. All devices to which the account was previously linked will be marked in gray. Select the connected device, click the install button and wait for the process to complete.
Installing applications downloaded from unofficial resources
Now consider the issue of downloading from a computer from third-party Internet resources. But here you will need to perform several preliminary steps.
First, you need to go to the settings on your device and select the security section. You should check the box next 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 storage device of your mobile device (SD card). Next, installation is performed directly from the device. This applies to cases when the computer system does not have a single program for controlling a smartphone or tablet.
Installing applications with cache
Now let's see how to install applications on Android from a computer to 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, when downloading, the installer and cache are downloaded separately). 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 this, using any file manager, the same standard Windows Explorer or the corresponding program on a mobile device, you need to create the obb folder in the data directory of the Android directory. Although usually cache data downloaded from the Internet is located in exactly this folder after unpacking the archive. All that remains is to copy it to the desired location. If the obb folder already exists on the device, only the contents of the original downloaded directory are copied into it.
Note: Do not confuse the sdcard directory with the SD card! In the Android system, the sdcard is an internal storage device. 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 have to work hard here, since you will need to create a tools folder. 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 programs for managing mobile devices. Which one will be chosen is not so important. The general installation principle is that a connection must be established between the computer and the mobile device (USB cable, Bluetooth or Wi-fi). Let's look at the simplest option 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 the installation from a file saved on your computer, as is the case with Sony PC Companion. Or 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 whole.
But the advantage of applications like Mobogenie is that they are able to emulate Android on Windows or any other OS. 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 to? Installation via a browser from the official service seems to be the easiest, but authorization is required. Copying the installation file to the device looks more attractive in this regard, but it requires setting permissions and preliminary checking the distribution for viruses. Many people will also enjoy using control utilities, but they also need to be installed on the PC first. So the question of preference and choice of installation type remains with the user.
