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How to download an APK file from Google Play

androidpit play store hero 1
© nextpit

If your Android device is short on space, or you want to work around country restrictions, then you can simply download and install APK files directly from Google Play to your computer and install it on your device later. Effectively, you can store an APK collection on your hard drive or cloud storage, then dip into it when you want to grab an app. Here's how to download APKs to your PC.

There are a couple of ways you can download a Google Play APK to your PC. You can use a Chrome extension or a website that will generate a specific download link for you - we've covered both methods for you below. You can even download paid APKs if you have already purchased them on the Play Store, but take a look at the excerpt from Google Play's Terms & Conditions at the very bottom of this tutorial to see their take on the subject. 

Download APK file using a browser extension

If you're likely to download lots of APKs, then getting yourself an extension for Chrome or Firefox is probably a good idea. For this tutorial, we're going to be using CodeKiem's APK Downloader extension version 2, which supports both Chrome and Firefox browsers.

  • Download APK Downloader extension for Chrome
  • Download APK Downloader add-on for Firefox
androidpit apk downloader 123
This is one of many APK Downloader extensions available for Chrome. © ANDROIDPIT/CodeKiem
  • Once you've added the extension to your desktop browser, you need to enter your email address, which will be stored in the Chrome extension associated with your Google Play account, and also your device ID for later requests.
androidpit apk downloader login
The Chrome extension needs your email address and Device ID to function. © ANDROIDPIT
  • To get your device ID, download an app called Device ID, which will bring up your Android ID when you open it. You should also use one of the e-mail addresses listed in Device ID – along with its associated password – to log into APK Downloader.
androidpit device id 1
Use the simple app, Device ID, to find out our aid (Android ID) to log into APK Downloader. / © ANDROIDPIT
  • Once you've done this, go to the Play Store and find an app you want to download to your PC. You'll notice that next to the 'Install' or 'Buy' button, there is now a 'Download APK' option. Click it to download the app you want. 

Install APK file on your Android device

  • Enable 'Unknown sources' in your phone's security settings (Settings > Security > Unknown sources) to transfer APKs from your PC.
  • Connect your phone to your PC using a USB cable. The necessary drivers should install automatically and your phone should show up like a USB storage device.
AndroidPIT Lollipop Settings Security Unknown Sources
You will need to enable 'Unknown sources' in your phone's security settings. / © ANDROIDPIT
  • Next, copy the APK you downloaded to your PC onto your phone (this is called ''sideloading''). I'd recommend an obvious location like the Downloads folder.
  • Go to the Downloads folder on your phone using its File Manager app, then tap the APK you just transferred over. It will request your permissions then install itself to your device.
  • For your peace of mind and security, disable ''Unknown Sources'' when you’re done.

Download APK file from Google Play using a website

If you're a more casual APK downloader then a Chrome extension is probably not really necessary. Instead, you can just visit a dedicated site for generating APK download links whenever you need to.

  • Go to the Play Store and find the app you want to download.
  • Copy the app's URL address from the browser's address bar.
  • Next, go to a site like Evozi's APK Downloader (Evozi also has a Chrome/Firefox extension) and paste the app package name (or the whole Google Play URL if you're lazy) in the box at the top of the page.
androidpit evozi new
You can generate unique download links every time you want to grab an APK.  © ANDROIDPIT
  • Hit the blue button to generate the download link and save it to your computer.
  • Sideload the APK to your phone/tablet and install it as above.

Google's Terms & Conditions

You should note that using these methods to access apps in the Google Play Store may technically be against the Play Store's terms of service (we're not entirely sure), so use this process at your own risk.

“3.3 You agree not to access (or attempt to access) Google Play by any means other than through the interface that is provided by Google, unless you have been specifically allowed to do so in a separate agreement with Google. You specifically agree not to access (or attempt to access) Google Play through any automated means (including use of scripts, crawlers, or similar technologies) and shall ensure that you comply with the instructions set out in any robots.txt file present on the Google Play website.” - Google Play Terms of Service

Do you like to download APKs to your PC for safe-keeping? Let us know in the comments.

Updated by Robert Zak on July 16, 2015

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Kris Carlon

Kris Carlon
Senior Editor

Kris is a former AndroidPIT Editor who came to the team via a lengthy period spent traveling and relying on technology to keep him in touch with the outside world. He can usually be found juggling three phones at once and poring over G+ posts, Reddit and RSS feeds.

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  • Mukesh Jat 10
    Mukesh Jat Feb 20, 2020 Link to comment

    try https://freeroid.com
    this site get apk files directly from google play store. and always latest version of the app.


    • 2
      Uptofast Mar 9, 2020 Link to comment

      everyone can also use the APK Downloader tool on this site to download faster: uptofast com


  • matthewardis 2
    matthewardis Nov 21, 2019 Link to comment

    Those files can be gotten from another store, for sure. What I knew are apknite, apkpure, techbigs, apkmirror,...


  • PillsBills 1
    PillsBills Nov 5, 2019 Link to comment

    Thanks, I will try this.


  • Mr.joney 007 1
    Mr.joney 007 Jun 19, 2017 Link to comment

    Good


  • 2
    Jack Smith Jul 17, 2016 Link to comment

    You're promoting giving your email AND PASSWORD for gmail to a third party. This action does not only disqualifies the whole article but also all the articles you've ever written.

    Duckers


    • AXEL 1
      AXEL Jan 5, 2017 Link to comment

      This. What idiot would simply give up their gmail address, password, and device ID to some random ass goof?! This reply is 5 months late, but relevant nontheless. I hope people aren't truly this stupid.


  • 4
    Silithas Jul 15, 2016 Link to comment

    for the chrome addon:

    An error occurred:

    Item not found. This item may have been removed by its author.

    Andrés Cortina


  • Ezra Ghalibin 1
    Ezra Ghalibin Jun 28, 2016 Link to comment

    what a nice article, thanks for sharing. God bless u! :)


  • Samantha Fino 1
    Samantha Fino May 4, 2016 Link to comment

    It fixed my problem after trying to fix it for 24 hours


  • 1
    emily thomas Apr 22, 2016 Link to comment

    Why it want work


    • 1
      bill thomas Oct 30, 2018 Link to comment

      yes.


  • Mwoh WasntxMe 1
    Mwoh WasntxMe Apr 22, 2016 Link to comment

    Google Chrome extension options doesnt work with Country or Device Restrictions, but androidappsapk.co worked great. Only catch was that I needed to know what country was allowed and that was kindly/luckily provided by developer on their Facebook page. Thanks so much for the tip.

    re: Another website to fetch APK files from google play
    androidappsapk.co (Break Country and Device Restrictions app)


  • 1
    Deactivated Account Apr 3, 2016 Link to comment

    The extention has been removed.


  • Diptangshu M. 15
    Diptangshu M. Mar 28, 2016 Link to comment

    Great tips! Thanks.


  • APKPure Dot CO 1
    APKPure Dot CO Mar 10, 2016 Link to comment

    Another website to fetch APK files from google play
    androidappsapk.co (Break Country and Device Restrictions app)


  • Arshdeep Singh Saini 8
    Arshdeep Singh Saini Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

    Apkmirror.com is the best and only source of apk files I've ever used.


  • apkappdownloads. 1
    apkappdownloads. Dec 27, 2015 Link to comment

    i think the best apk downloader from google play store is apkappdownloads.com Awesome article post.Much thanks again. Much obliged.


  • Dooo 2
    Dooo Dec 20, 2015 Link to comment

    best apk downloader
    apkpure.com

    Ray


    • 1
      Ray Jan 4, 2016 Link to comment

      Thanks. This is only what exactly is working great!!!
      Wonderful site it is!!!


  • 2
    Knepper Nov 13, 2015 Link to comment

    Another easy way: go to some website provide apk file (ex: apkplz.com)
    Provide apk + obb data file. Direct download link

    Jack Liu


    • 1
      Jack Liu Nov 29, 2015 Link to comment

      thank you, got my wanted app


  • 1
    Mark Juni Nov 1, 2015 Link to comment

    for All restrictions app (country, carrier, device...) you can get APK from apkpure.co


  • Little Stacy 6
    Little Stacy Aug 28, 2015 Link to comment

    Thanks. It's very detailed and useful!


  • 1
    chourseyha Aug 25, 2015 Link to comment

    010456353


  • 1
    Roberto Faustor Aug 18, 2015 Link to comment

    i downloaded many apps that can't be reachable with evozi on www.apkpure.com and it is the best site and the greatest site I've ever visited! APKPure is very helpful and user-friendly (y) thanks very much for both evozi and apkpure :) Stay cool!


  • 2
    Shamim Miyah Aug 15, 2015 Link to comment

    i like this


    • 2
      Shamim Miyah Aug 15, 2015 Link to comment

      Pls


  • 2
    Shamim Miyah Aug 15, 2015 Link to comment

    i like tihs


  • My1 37
    My1 Jul 20, 2015 Link to comment

    well the firefox Plugin doesnt seem to work here...


  • 11
    Deactivated Account Jul 17, 2015 Link to comment

    Cool

    Deactivated Account


  • 2
    Emrah Akkoyun Jul 11, 2015 Link to comment

    apkdownloader.biz apk downloader page and apk store apkdownloader.biz/apk

    Jolee arguello


  • 1
    ‫voobl Jul 8, 2015 Link to comment

    leecherapk.com


  • Amrita Das Bijoy 2
    Amrita Das Bijoy May 30, 2015 Link to comment

    thanks for great tips. Visitor also check .....
    youtube.com/ watch?v=malJQCL_CSo How to download apk file from play store

    MATANTEVLOOLOO


  • 1
    dirtysouthboy May 13, 2015 Link to comment

    This is great for side loading official apps to Blackberry 10 devices since it can install and run android apps.


    • Arhaan Faiz 1
      Arhaan Faiz Jan 4, 2016 Link to comment

      Best and Fastest, Download android app from google play store on pc or laptop

      visit or search for : biggbox


  • 1
    Modhi Feb 24, 2015 Link to comment

    good tool! thank you for sharing!
    however, is there a way to download multiple apks at once?


  • 1
    Aynua Feb 19, 2015 Link to comment

    Thank you for sharing the Evozy APK downloader. I went to it.


  • 2
    Pranay Rana Feb 13, 2015 Link to comment

    I just download the APKs using the web app called Evozi. I just downloaded a few apps using this tool and it works like a charm :)


  • 2
    mehran mashreghi Dec 31, 2014 Link to comment

    better and faster apk downloader website : apk-dl.com


  • 2
    mehran mashreghi Dec 31, 2014 Link to comment

    Best APK Downloader :
    http:/www.apk-dl.com

    You can search the application name simply here.


  • My1 37
    My1 Dec 28, 2014 Link to comment

    the page is marked as "Updated" but where's the update???


  • 1
    fafe feee Dec 21, 2014 Link to comment

    the evozi website downloads a different sized apk than what you have in your own /data/app folder. I wouldn't trust the evozi website.

    In contrast, The chrome apk downloader extension downloads the exact same file you have in /data/app.


    • My1 37
      My1 Dec 21, 2014 Link to comment

      maybe because evozi is caching and it has DLed an old version.

      you could check the signature, if it is the same it should be okay, since you cant fake that easily.


  • 2
    Deactivated Account Nov 26, 2014 Link to comment

    Doesn't work here... Latest Google Chrome, entered all required data.


    • 9
      Kevin Berendsen Nov 26, 2014 Link to comment

      Use this: http://apps.evozi.com/apk-downloader/

      Easy to use and it's also included in this article. It works like a charm to me.


      • My1 37
        My1 Nov 26, 2014 Link to comment

        but people can only request a certain amount of apps per day, and it is not calculated by person, but the whole sum.


      • 2
        Deactivated Account Nov 26, 2014 Link to comment

        Sorry, I typed a wrong Android ID. I have a Nexus 5 running Lollipop and the command *#*#8255#*#* doesn't work.


      • 2
        markron May 20, 2015 Link to comment

        no chrome extension needed, you can also use online apk downloader : apkpure.com
        Enjoy!


  • My1 37
    My1 Nov 26, 2014 Link to comment

    The firefox addon is not existing.


  • 1
    Liona Leonhart Sep 2, 2014 Link to comment

    apkleecher is very good, working well. But now I'm build same site with different concept, as android apk file repository


  • 1
    Cryan Cee Jul 13, 2014 Link to comment

    It's very easy . I coded with Google Play API and my friends help to get direct link from Google . You can get Paid Apps free with our database . Almost free app you can get . with Paid App you just can get app have in database . Try more : freeapkdowload.blogspot.com and have fun.


  • 1
    mark nguyen Jun 10, 2014 Link to comment

    thank, APK downloader is very good.
    Search APPID on googleplay or evozi, apkleecher, using chrome extensions to get it :)


  • 5
    kusakov May 1, 2014 Link to comment

    New Online APK Downloader! Enjoy!


  • 2
    Booster Letter Apr 8, 2014 Link to comment

    very cool to direct download android installation file (apk)


  • 2
    Javad Ahmadi Mar 18, 2014 Link to comment

    Best google play apk downloader ever

    Booster Letter


  • 1
    reza rostami Dec 11, 2013 Link to comment

    Best google apk downloader : evozi


    • My1 37
      My1 Dec 11, 2013 Link to comment

      and it works across browsers...


  • 8
    Deactivated Account Dec 2, 2013 Link to comment

    Recently I bought a tablet and was disappointed that some of my purchased apps were not compatible with that device.
    What I did was send the two files referring to each of those apps in my Titanium Backup folder to my new Tablet over Bluetooth, then move it to my Titanium Backup folder on the tablet, and restore it with TBU.
    All of the apps work flawlessly on my tablet though they are said to be not compatible on the play store :)

    oldzoom


  • My1 37
    My1 Oct 5, 2013 Link to comment

    just a note you cannot DL only free apps but you can also DL paid one, IF you alreadbought them...


  • Anthony Muzonzini 11
    Anthony Muzonzini Aug 24, 2013 Link to comment

    you might want to go with the device id app then. its easier though


  • My1 37
    My1 Aug 23, 2013 Link to comment

    the *#*#8255#*#* does not work on my Note 2...


  • Anthony Muzonzini 11
    Anthony Muzonzini Aug 22, 2013 Link to comment

    you're welcome


  • 7
    Deactivated Account Aug 22, 2013 Link to comment

    Great tip, thanks!

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