Say
you've just paid for a game on Google
Play,
something large and juicy, and then you realize you can't install it
because you don't have enough room on your phone. What do you do if
you don't have time to go through your phone and delete some files to
clear up some space? Or maybe your tablet is not supported for a
particular title or there are location restrictions in place. Did you
know you can simply download an APK file directly from Google Play to
your computer and install the APK later, once you've had a chance to
free up some space? Here's how to download APKs from Google Play.
Now,
there's a couple of ways you can download an APK directly from Google
Play. 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.
How to download an APK from Google Play with a browser extension
If
you're likely to download lots of APKs, then getting yourself a
Chrome extension or Firefox add-on is probably a good idea. An
extension is simply an additional tool for your browser that makes
certain actions a whole lot easier: from ad blocking to link sharing
to APK downloading.
1.
For
this tutorial we're going to be using CodeKiem's APK Downloader
extension version 2, which supports both Chrome and Firefox browsers.
2.
Once
you've added the extension to your browser you're good to go, but you
need to do a few things first.
3.
You
need to add 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.
4.
To
get your device ID, hit the dialer on your phone and type in.
5.
Then
just look for the bit that says ''aid'' (Android ID): enter this in
the Chrome extension. You should see the GTalk Service Monitor
information (screenshots below).
6.
If
you don't get the above screens, you can install a simple app from
the Play Store like Evozi's Device
ID to
get, you guessed it, your device ID, amongst other useful bits of
information. The app doesn't require internet access, but if you're
the suspicious type, turn off your internet connection, use it to get
your ID, clear the app cache through Settings > Apps and then turn
the internet back on.
7.
On
your phone, you're also going to need ''Unknown Sources'' enabled in
the Security settings.
8.
You're
also going to need a USB cable. When you connect your phone to your
PC, you should get the necessary drivers installed automatically and
your phone should show up like a USB storage device. If tyhis doesn't
happen, hit Google for your particular device's USB drivers.
9.
Then
copy the APK you downloaded to your PC onto your phone (called
''sideloading''). I'd recommend an obvious location like the
Downloads folder.
10.
Go
to your Downloads app on your phone and tap the APK you just
transferred over. Don't forget to disable ''Unknown Sources'' when
you’re done.
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