How to download an APK file from Google Play

There are a couple of ways you can download a Google Play APK to your PC. You can use a Chrome extension or a website that will generate a specific download link for you - we've covered both methods for you below. You can even download paid APKs if you have already purchased them on the Play Store, but take a look at the excerpt from Google Play's Terms & Conditions at the very bottom of this tutorial to see their take on the subject. 

Download APK file using a browser extension

If you're likely to download lots of APKs, then getting yourself an extension for Chrome or Firefox is probably a good idea. For this tutorial, we're going to be using CodeKiem's APK Downloader extension version 2, which supports both Chrome and Firefox browsers.

• Download APK Downloader extension for Chrome
• Download APK Downloader add-on for Firefox

• Once you've added the extension to your desktop browser, you need to enter your email address, which will be stored in the Chrome extension associated with your Google Play account, and also your device ID for later requests.

• To get your device ID, download an app called Device ID, which will bring up your Android ID when you open it. You should also use one of the e-mail addresses listed in Device ID – along with its associated password – to log into APK Downloader.

• Once you've done this, go to the Play Store and find an app you want to download to your PC. You'll notice that next to the 'Install' or 'Buy' button, there is now a 'Download APK' option. Click it to download the app you want. 

Install APK file on your Android device

• Enable 'Unknown sources' in your phone's security settings (Settings > Security > Unknown sources) to transfer APKs from your PC.
• Connect your phone to your PC using a USB cable. The necessary drivers should install automatically and your phone should show up like a USB storage device.

• Next, copy the APK you downloaded to your PC onto your phone (this is called ''sideloading''). I'd recommend an obvious location like the Downloads folder.
• Go to the Downloads folder on your phone using its File Manager app, then tap the APK you just transferred over. It will request your permissions then install itself to your device.
• For your peace of mind and security, disable ''Unknown Sources'' when you’re done.

Download APK file from Google Play using a website

If you're a more casual APK downloader then a Chrome extension is probably not really necessary. Instead, you can just visit a dedicated site for generating APK download links whenever you need to.

• Go to the Play Store and find the app you want to download.
• Copy the app's URL address from the browser's address bar.
• Next, go to a site like Evozi's APK Downloader (Evozi also has a Chrome/Firefox extension) and paste the app package name (or the whole Google Play URL if you're lazy) in the box at the top of the page.

• Hit the blue button to generate the download link and save it to your computer.
• Sideload the APK to your phone/tablet and install it as above.

Google's Terms & Conditions

You should note that using these methods to access apps in the Google Play Store may technically be against the Play Store's terms of service (we're not entirely sure), so use this process at your own risk.

“3.3 You agree not to access (or attempt to access) Google Play by any means other than through the interface that is provided by Google, unless you have been specifically allowed to do so in a separate agreement with Google. You specifically agree not to access (or attempt to access) Google Play through any automated means (including use of scripts, crawlers, or similar technologies) and shall ensure that you comply with the instructions set out in any robots.txt file present on the Google Play website.” - Google Play Terms of Service

Do you like to download APKs to your PC for safe-keeping? Let us know in the comments.

Updated by Robert Zak on July 16, 2015