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.apk files vs. store downloads

hstroph

Android Enthusiast
Oct 18, 2012
743
147
Hello, I'm new here so please correct my terminology or understanding if they're wrong.

I'm anticipating the arrival of N4 16GB, and am able to save some .apk files for later "sideloading". There are a few apps that I'd like to acquire as .apk files, but they will only download to android devices, which I don't yet have.

Two questions, please:

1) Can store apps somehow be downloaded as .apk files? (using wget, pc browser, etc.)

2) If an app is downloaded directly to the android device, does it exist as an .apk file, or some other simple structure that is easily saved for later reference or restore?
 
1. No. Although I fail to see the logic of keeping the apk files for sideloading as opposed to installing from the store itself. The store may not be able to see your apk sideloads, and thus the apps may not update because you updated them via another method. Just go to the store and bookmark the webpages of the app you want.

2. As mentioned above no, but you can use several apps to back up the apk file like AppMonster. This is often done so that when you don't like a particular app update, you can revert back. However this is different from manual side load by getting apk's from obscure sources. The apk's wont be tampered with by anyone. Note that you cannot backup app data unless you are rooted. But installing an older version to overwrite the new one should not be deleting any data anyway.
 
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...2. As mentioned above no, but you can use several apps to back up the apk file like AppMonster. This is often done so that when you don't like a particular app update, you can revert back. However this is different from manual side load by getting apk's from obscure sources. The apk's wont be tampered with by anyone. Note that you cannot backup app data unless you are rooted. But installing an older version to overwrite the new one should not be deleting any data anyway.

I backup all of my app data regularly and am not rooted. Most of the apps that I use now have the capability to save settings also, which I can also backup.

BigRedGonzo
 
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I backup all of my app data regularly and am not rooted. Most of the apps that I use now have the capability to save settings also, which I can also backup.

BigRedGonzo


Not all of them. Take for example, games. Angry Birds and Bad Piggies game progress cannoy be transferred from phone to phone last i checked.
 
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1. No. Although I fail to see the logic of keeping the apk files for sideloading as opposed to installing from the store itself. The store may not be able to see your apk sideloads, and thus the apps may not update because you updated them via another method. Just go to the store and bookmark the webpages of the app you want.

I have done it because sometimes I download an app, then it is either removed from Google Play, or is listed as not compatible with my new phone (even though it works just fine)
 
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