When we install a new application on our Android device, we usually use the Play Store to download and install it. However, not all apps are on the Google Play, and we may want to install an application which is only available through the apk file.

If this is the case, we have to be careful to choose carefully the file we are going to download. It is always advisable to download the apk file from the web developer, if it is possible. Thus, we can minimize the risk of installing malware on our devices.

Once we have located the file, we can download it to our PC. Now we just need to transfer it from the PC to the mobile device and install it. However, before trying to install an apk file, we must enable the option to do so. We have to access the “Security” menu that we can find in the “Settings”. Once there, we must have the “Unknown sources” option turned on in order to install those files.

When we have this option enabled, we can transfer the download files on the PC to our mobile device file. In order to do this, we can use different methods.

If we have a file management application installed, we can simply copy the file using a USB cable and navigate through the mobile folders with this app to run and install the downloaded file directly.

However, if we don’t have a file manager, we can also do so using any other application that allows sharing files, such as Dropbox. If we have this app installed, we just need to copy the file to the appropriate folder in our PC and update the app from the smartphone. Once the file was there, we can access the app and install it.