How to open an APK on PC: All possible ways

If you are an Android user, you have probably downloaded an APK file at some point to install an app or game on your mobile. Now, what happens if you want to install these types of files on your PC? It's possible? Yes that's how it is, How to open an APK on PC? In this article, we'll take a closer look at these files and show you how to open them from a Windows PC.

Whether because we can't find an app or game in the official stores or simply because they are no longer available, APK files can save the day. These files can be downloaded from a browser using the official site of the application that we want or another authorized website.

What is an APK file?

Before we discuss how to open an APK on PC, let's see what we mean by APK file. What do the acronym APK mean? These letters correspond to the English words Android Application Package, Android Application Package, in Spanish. So an APK file is a package that contains all the information, code, images, and media that an application or game needs to install.

APK files on Android They are the equivalent of the EXE files that are in Windows. And, although we have previously talked about how to open EXE files on Android, today we touch on the opposite topic: opening an APK on PC. Please note that APK files are not originally compatible with Windows. So, to be able to open them on a PC, we will have to use some extra tools. We will talk about them later.

Is it safe to open an APK file on PC?

Security is an extremely important factor when using our PC. Therefore, it is wise to consider the advantages and disadvantages of opening an APK there. Among the advantages we obtain are:

• Use an application that is not in the official store.
• Access a service that is not available in our country.
• Play a game that is only available for Android devices on the big screen.

All in all, there are some disadvantages that you should consider:

• Some APK files may have malware.
• Apps and games are not updated automatically.
• Maybe some games or apps have not passed Google's security filters.
• Sometimes these files are not compatible with our devices.

How to open an APK on PC?

As we mentioned, it is possible to open an APK on PC with the help of some tools designed for this purpose. In this sense, there is another factor that also influences when opening an APK file on the PC: the version of Windows you use.

If your computer uses Windows 10, you will have to use android emulators for pc. But if you have Windows 11, you can use a program or application that can run and manage Android apps on Windows.

Through emulators

If your PC has Windows 10, you will have to use a Android emulator to open an APK on PC. Once you install the simulator you can search for the APK file you want to open, install it as you would on your mobile and that's it. Next, we leave you two options.

BlueStacks

If you are looking for an Android emulator for your PC, BlueStacks is a reference on the subject. You can download it from your web page completely free of charge. And, once installed, you can log into your Google account to download any application or game from the Play Store.

When you download BlueStacks on your PC, you have a window on your desktop where you can do all the tasks you need. For example, to open an APK on PC you just have to Click on the Install APK button, select the file and tap Open.

Note that BlueStacks is a very powerful emulator, so it consumes a greater amount of resources. So, if you are going to use it, you should have a computer that runs quickly and agilely.

NoxPlayer

Well, if what you want is to try an Android game on a larger screen, You can use NoxPlayer to open an APK on PC. Its interface is very simple, so it is very practical for any user. Once you install it, you can enter the Play Store and download the applications or games you want.

But since what we are specifically interested in is opening an APK file, you will be happy to know that with this emulator it is possible. These are the steps to open an APK on PC with NoxPlayer:

1. Open the program on your PC.
2. Tap on the 'Apks Instl' option (you can also enter directly with the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + 6).
3. When Windows Explorer opens, select the APK file you want to open.
4. Tap on the Open option at the bottom.
5. Done.

Just like you can do in BlueStacks, with NoxPlayer too you can drag the APK file to the program desktop and it will open without any complications.

Through Windows programs

Now, if you are not a big fan of Android emulators for PC, then the best for you are the programs or applications that also allow you to open an APK on PC. In fact, some of these allow you to see what the file you want to open contains, before executing it to install it on your computer. Next, let's look at two of the options available.

WinRAR

If it seems a little strange to see this program among the options, you are not the only one. Those of us who have used WinRAR know that its main purpose is to decompress RAR and ZIP files. But did you know that you can use WinRAR to open an APK on PC? This program is available on your web page and you can download it for free.

When you have installed the program, you just have to Find the APK file you want to open, select it or double-click it to open it. In case you want to unzip the file to see what is inside, tap on the “Extract to” folder located at the top left.

Android Studio

Finally, we present to you Android Studio, another app that will help you open and install APK files on your PC. This application is owned by Google and in addition to having the option to open an APK on PC, allows you to create applications for Android. Of course, as you can imagine, this tool is not so easy to use, since it is intended mainly for programmers.

All in all, anyone can download the application. You do not need to have a developer account to install it. So, if you are starting out in the world of programming, it is an option worth considering.