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androidandroid-install-apk

Android: how to install apk on device, without using android sdk tools


I have built my app into a signed SDK. I would like for beta testers to be able to install this on their devices without having to install and use the android sdk tools (I realize the apk can be installed with command line tools, but would prefer that not be necessary).

I tried manually installing it, but it failed. I have an android tablet that I am using for testing. I copied the apk to my device's sdcard, and clicked on it. Which gave the option to install it with the App Manager. Unfortunately the install fails with message "Application not installed".

Is there a way to manually install an apk, without using the command line tools?


Solution

  • Upload it to a Web site that is configured with .apk for the right MIME type (application/vnd.android.package-archive). Anyone clicking the link to your APK in their browser will be able to install it.

    Some services have this built in. Dropbox, for example, knows about APK files, as I understand it.