Is it possible to move apk files on non-rooted phone?

[ItsMikeE]

I have a non-rooted HTC Desire running Froyo
Although I can move (some) applications to my SD card, I still have apk files for those applications on the internal 'disk'.
Is it possible to move these files to the SD card on a non-rooted phone?

 

[snapper.fishes]

Does app to sd require root? If so, yes.

 

[Legato]

just use z4root...and only set it to give you temporary root. Once you reboot you lose root status and all traces you had root

 

[ItsMikeE]

just use z4root...and only set it to give you temporary root. Once you reboot you lose root status and all traces you had root

That looks useful, I will give it a go.
Will I be notificed of updates if APKs are in a different location?
Do you recommend setting up a symlink?

 

[T.M.M.L]

I'm no expert by far, but I think that if you have the apk's on your phone, they probably need to be there. I'm looking at it like a computer. If you install a program and it puts a icon on your desktop, then you move the program to a different folder without informing the P.C., clicking that icon will get you nothing but errors.

I don't have apps to sd, but I figure the app would have to be installed from the SD, not just moved later.

 

[Legato]

Never tried Symlink, no idea what it does. But if you use Apps2SD you will be notified of updates, as it links the app on the SD to the phoen still. If you just straight cut and paste the apps you won't be notified and i doubt the app would still work. You need to use something like Apps2SD

 

[takeshi]

Although I can move (some) applications to my SD card, I still have apk files for those applications on the internal 'disk'.

Can you clarify the exact location? If it's a downloaded APK that you used to install the app you can move it freely. If the APK was placed under /system/(I forget the full path) after the package installer installed it then you can't just move it around. You need to use App2SD or similar to move it.

If you install a program and it puts a icon on your desktop, then you move the program to a different folder without informing the P.C., clicking that icon will get you nothing but errors.

That's not the best analogy. Shortcuts are updated automatically if the target is moved. At least they are in Windows.

I don't have apps to sd, but I figure the app would have to be installed from the SD, not just moved later.

No, they can be moved back and forth. There's a button in application management for each app to do so. The location you installed from is irrrelevant.

 

[snapper.fishes]

Looks like I misread the first post.

If you move the apk file from the system/ folder, it would be equivalent to uninstalling it.