Thursday, March 28, 2024

How to download Android APK files from the Google Play Store

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There might be various reasons that you would want to download an APK directly from the Play Store. One might be that an app (especially Google apps) is showing that it has been updated, but you can’t push it to your device. By downloading the APK directly, you can simply sideload it on your device and get the updated version that much quicker. You also might be a tinkerer in that you want to sideload an APK to your Android TV device (or some other device) to see how it works.

Now you can find various sites that host APK files, but they might not have the latest versions, not to mention they could be altered with malware. Grabbing it directly from the Play Store is the safest way, but how do you go about doing that? It’s actually pretty simple, so hit the break to get started.

 

1) Assuming you are using the Chrome Browser on your desktop, download and install APK Downloader from the Chrome Web Store.

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2) Once added to Chrome, just open any app page in Google Play and you will now see a Download APK option right next to install.

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3) Click on it, and a popup will appear asking you for additional information. You will need your email address and the device ID of your phone.

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4) For the Device ID, you can download the Device ID app from the Play Store or you can enter *#*#8255#*#* on your device’s Phone App (no need to press send) and look for a bunch of numbers and letters after either JID, Device ID, or aid. Mine was after aid and was at the top. Honestly, just download the Device ID app, it’s the easiest way.

5) You now need to enter your Gmail address that you use for your Play Store account. You will also have to enter your password. I know this might seem scary to some of you, but the information isn’t stored. Even though you won’t always be downloading paid apps, it’s the only way to ensure that no one is able to download something they didn’t pay for. Another reason is that Google tracks downloads for each app by Gmail address.

From the developer….

“The extension only stores email, device id and Google Play cookie in browser’s local storage, on your computer. To be able to get Google Play cookie, it needs your email and password to login at https://www.google.com/accounts/ClientLogin . After it’s done, password is not stored, email is stored to display on Options page, Device ID and Cookie are stored for later requests. I do not send those information to another sites.”

6) After you have entered all your information, click on Login, and close the window. You are now good to go, and you won’t have to enter your information again. Now when you click on Download APK, it will immediately be downloaded to your desktop. This will work for every app in Google Play, but if it’s a paid app, you won’t be able to unless you have previously purchased it using the Gmail account you logged in with.

I should also note that you can simply use APKMirror for high profile apps. You won’t have to login or use your credentials. However APKMirror doesn’t include all the apps that are available in the Play Store. I find the method I outlined above more useful since all I need to do is find the app in the Play Store, and Boom….I can click Download APK, and I am done.

I hope this guide helped you. If I missed anything, please let me know.

Click here for more information about APK Downloader

 

 

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