MID Tablets had a post on how to add the Android Market app to a Coby Kyros tablet without rooting, but I wanted to revise the article to be about different ways to install Android APK files in general.
Different Ways to Install Android APK Files
There are various ways to install Android apps, which are really just “APK” files, besides using the Android Market. APK stands for “Android Package Kit”, which would be like an “EXE” on Windows PCs. While Android Market is the most popular and most trusted way to add and install APK files to your Android device, there are other ways to go about it. Here are some of the most popular:
- Android Market – an online software store developed by Google for Android OS devices. Its gateway is an application program (“app”) called “Market”, preinstalled on most Android devices, allows users to browse and download mobile apps published by third-party developers. Users can also search for and read detailed information about apps on the Android Market website.
- Amazon Appstore – a mobile application store for the Android operating system that includes a “free app a day” feature. Every day, an application, frequently a game, is offered for free. The Amazon Appstore is currently only available in the US and no official announcements have been made about increasing availability to other regions.
- AppsLib – A marketplace aimed at all kinds of android devices; Appslib specializes in android devices that can’t get google certification; tablets, eReaders, PMPs and more. With over 30 thousand applications available, worldwide, it has a simple, hassle-free certification process, and all updates to Appslib are automatically pushed to users.
- GetJar – GetJar is the world’s largest free app store with over 2 billion downloads to date. The company distributes more than 350,000 mobile applications across a variety of operating systems including Android, Blackberry, Java, Symbian and mobile web. 395,000 developers have registered with GetJar to distribute their apps.
- Android SDK – a comprehensive set of development tools for Android. These include a debugger, libraries, a handset emulator (based on QEMU), documentation, sample code, and tutorials. Currently supported development platforms include computers running Linux (any modern desktop Linux distribution), Mac OS X 10.4.9 or later, Windows XP or later.
- Easy Installer – a free Android app from Infolife, LLC that installs apps from APK files on SD cards. It lists all the apk files on the SD card, allowing you to select apps that you want to install. Click the “Install Selected Apps” button for easy installation.
How to Install the Android Market on an Android Device that Comes with AppsLib or GetJar
These instructions are how to install the Android Market on an Android device that only has AppsLib or GetJar. You might also want to consider installing the Amazon Appstore to get Android apps. Amazon gives a paid app for free every day. You can install the Android Market without rooting your Android device by using either of the following the instructions.
The first uses a Market.rar file download and the other uses a gtablet.zip file download. Choose which one works best for you. The downloads were not made by us and come without warranty – use at your own risk. We are not responsible for the changes you make to your tablet.
Using Market.rar
1. Download Market.rar
2. Extract the files on your computer
3. Copy them onto your Coby Kyros tablet.
4. Open APK Installer and install all of them in this order:
OneTimeInitializer.apk
SetupWizard.apk
GoogleServicesFramework.apk
Vending.apk.
5. Turn your tablet off and turn it on again.
6. A window saying “Complete action using” will appear, mark “Use by default” and choose the “Launcher”.
Using gtablet.zip
1. Download gtablet.zip
2. Extract the files to your computer and browse to the “App” folder where you’ll find the “.apk” files.
3. Copy the .apk files to your tablet.
4. Open APK Installer and install the files in this order:
GoogleServicesFramework.apk
OneTimeInitializer.apk
SetupWizard.apk
Talk.apk
Vending.apk
Gmail.apk
Maps.apk
5. Reboot.
6. Select the setup wizard as your launcher and you will have to link your Gmail account.
7. Open the APK Installer and install the “vending.apk” last.
An Alternative to the APK Installer, the Android SDK
Another alternative to APK Installer or the Android Market is the Android SDK.
1. Using your computer, download and install the Google Android SDK program and theAndroid USB drivers.
2. Modify the tablet’s settings to allow the installation of applications from other sources. Under “Settings,” select “Application Settings” and then enable “Unknown Sources.” Also under “Settings,” select “SD Card” and “Phone Storage,” and finally enable “Disable Use for USB Storage”.
3. Extract the files on your computer, then copy them to your tablet.
4. On your tablet, open Command Prompt and type the following: adb install [path to apk file]/[name of APK file].apk.
5. The application should now be installed.
One More Way to Install Google APK Apps Using Astro File Manager and Easy Installer
You’ll need another Android device that has access to Google APKs or use the ones included in G Tablet above. If you’re using another Android device to get the Google apps, then start with one, if you already have the APKs you want to use, skip to step 3.
1. Using Astro File Manager on your Android device, change the Preferences of the Backup Directory to “/mnt/sdcard-ext” or “/mnt/external-sd” or “sdcard”, whatever the MicroSD card is called. Click OK twice, then Back three times.
2. Still in Astro File Manager, click ”Application Backup” then select Google Maps and any other apps you want to move to your tablet. Click Backup. The Android APK files have now been copied to your external MicroSD card.
3. Now hook your Android device up to your PC using a USB cable. Open the drive which appears on your PC, and look for the “backups” folder. Open the “apps” folder within backups. Copy all the APK files from there onto your computer.
4. On your tablet, download “Easy Installer” from INFOLIFE. It’s free, but you may need to install the Amazon Appstore first.
5. Connect your tablet to your computer using a USB cable and when it’s drive appears on your PC, copy the Android APK files into it.
6. Disconnect your tablet from the PC and open Easy Installer in Apps. You will be able to choose an app to install from a list of the APK files you copied.
7. Choose Google Apps and any other apps you want to install and click, “Install Selected Apps.”