Mobile apps are a strange thing. You can install them very easily through the Play Store, but you never really see what files are being downloaded to phone . In the name of simplicity, modern mobile operating systems hide the details behind installing apps, as well as managing their files. Usually this is a good thing. Most users don't care about seeing app files or where they are stored. However, there are exceptions. For example, when you get a new phone and realize that your favorite app is no longer in the Play Store.
Don't despair as the operating system makes it easy to find and save files from an older device to a new one.
What are APKs?
The file that contains an application is called an APK (android application package). This is the file that you download from the Play Store and is also the same one that you will need to find, save and transfer from an old device to a new one. We should warn you at this point that if the application is no longer available in the Play Store, it will not receive updates and for this reason there may be security risks or compatibility with modern Android specifications.
On the old device
- Download APK Extractor Pro from the Play Store.
- Open the app, accept the terms of use, and give it permission to access your phone's files.
- Find the app you want to save and tap the three dots icon next to it.
- Select “share” and then choose the destination to access from your other phone, such as Google Drive or an email to yourself.
On the new device
- Find the file you sent to your Android by opening the destination you selected in the previous step. It will likely have a long name that usually starts with the app name and ends with “.apk.”
- Tap the file to open it. At this point, your phone will probably warn you that you are not allowed to install unknown apps.
- If you have Android 8 or later, tap “settings” and on the next screen you can approve the installation of the specific application. On older Android versions, on the corresponding screen, you can give permission to install unknown applications.
- Go back and follow the prompts to install the new application.
- Once the installation is finished, there will be a notification that will allow you to use the app immediately.
