If you have ever paid attention to your Android apps, you will know that they often get stored as APK files on your device. APK files allow for the running of an app, so if you delete an APK file from your file manager, your app will not run.
However, sometimes you might need an APK format, which can store large files but with a lot more efficiency. Additionally, developers are not allowed to have more than 100 MB of package files on their apps on Google Play Store.
Thus, XAPK is a way of storing app files in ways that improve efficiency and storage. This happens because the XAPK is divided into two – the APK file, which contains the app’s core, and the OBB file (Opaque Binary Blobs), which contains additional information.
So, how, then, do you download an XAPK file on your Android device?
- First, I would suggest downloading an XAPK file of the app you want from trusted websites to avoid being an open target.
- Once downloaded, use the file manager application to locate the XAPK file.
- Then, long press on the file, and this will bring you options. Tap on Rename.
- Change the file extension from XAPK to ZIP. So, if the file is app-name.xapk, change it to app-name.zip. This is because your Android phones do not know what to do with XAPK extensions and, thus, would not read it in that format. Once changed, your phone will read the file as a usual compressed zip.
- Then, long press on the file and extract it to a specified folder. The file you extract should contain an APK file, a folder named Android, and a PNG file.
- Open the Android folder. There will be another folder inside. Copy that folder to Internal Storage > Android > OBB.
- Once copied, go back to the extracted folder, then install the APK file by tapping on it. Allow the file manager to install apps from unknown sources if prompted.
Once on your phone, you will now be able to download files with XAPK rather than APK in their file extension, allowing you to play games or use apps you otherwise wouldn’t use on your Android phone.
