How to Install XAPK Files on Android

Have you ever tried to install an app for your Android and found the file with an extension.xapk, and didn't know what it is used for? You are not alone. The more complex.xapk files carry additional data like images or media, whereas the more common and straightforward type of file for an Android user is an.apk file.

Good news: though it may seem daunting, installing .xapk files is not rocket science. With a number of easy steps, you can get these up and running in no time. Allow me to show you how it is done and answer all your questions so this installation process can be as easy as pie for your apps.

Since we know what .xapk file is, let's get a better understanding of them before getting into the instruction.

Where Do XAPKs Come From?

XAPK files provide an alternative installation for Android apps, which is helpful in bigger apps that require more resources than what a normal APK file could provide. These files are similar to compressed bundles that contain the application's primary APK file with any supplementary data, like images or media, that might be required by the app. This additional data is normally contained in a file known as an OBB.

Considering the fact that Google Play limits APKs to 100MB, the main reason XAPK files exist is pretty great. In such cases, developers are often forced to break down bigger software into several downloads, which is inconvenient for the users no doubt. In the case of an XAPK, this is avoided since all the components are compressed into one singular file, which becomes easy to download and install.

One snag: Google Play does not support XAPK file formats. This usually implies that they will be downloadable from outside vendors, such as stores and websites. Regarding this, to avoid security issues, the download of XAPK files would be important only from sources where one deems them trustworthy.

XAPK files are used by many for various apps that are either not available on the Play Store or are not released in their location. They make the installation process for bigger apps a piece of cake by merging all the app's files into one small file.

This step-by-step tutorial will walk you through the process, from preparing requirements down to installing XAPK files on your Android device. Simply put, XAPK file is an APK with additional data packed together, and installation of apps could be straightforward, even resource-heavy games.

Get the XAPK file you want to install from a reliable source and download it.

A file manager application would be quite handy in keeping your device's filesystem neat and orderly. If you don't have one, you can acquire one from the Google Play Store.

You can download various XAPK Installers from the Google Play Store, so you can choose one that you feel comfortable with to make the installation easier. In this tutorial, I will be using ZArchiver, a popular and easy-to-use file manager.

1. Allowing Installation of Apps from Unknown Sources

Tap the gear icon to open your device's settings.

Tap one of the resulting options labeled Security, Privacy, or Special App Access - the name will vary depending on the version of Android and the manufacturer. You should know I am running the stock version of Android.

Look for and tap the option that says "Install unknown apps" or "Unknown sources".

You will be provided with a list of applications. From there onwards, you shall grant them one at a time permissions to install programs from other sources than the Google Play Store. For my part, I am allowing ZArchiver to install programmes on my device because it is the tool I'm using to install the XAPK file.

2. Prepare XAPK File

Download the XAPK file from a source you trust. In this tutorial, I will use the Roblox XAPK downloaded via APKPure.

To access this XAPK file, open your file manager and access the Downloads folder.

Third, install it using the ZArchiver installation method, which is highly recommended.

If you have not downloaded ZArchiver earlier, download it from the Google Play Store.

Allow the application to access all the things it needs to work.

Now find the folder where you have downloaded the XAPK file.

Tap on the XAPK file and tap Install.

Allow any on-screen install-related prompts to install the application.

Further ahead, open the app and use it like normal.

Alternative Procedure: Manual Installation

If you don't want to use the ZArchiver method, you can also do a manual installation of the XAPK file:

Rename the XAPK file by opening it in the file manager of your device and doing a long tap on it. Replace the extension .xapk with the extension .zip.

Now, with the help of software like RAR downloadable from the Google Play store, extract the content of the ZIP file.

Using the "Extract here" option, after having opened the ZIP file, it is possible to extract all the content in a folder of your choice or to the same folder where the ZIP file is residing.

If you cannot find an OBB folder in the folder you extracted, skip the last step. Some apps or games indeed require supplemental data inside this folder. You will have to copy the OBB folder now.

Paste the copied OBB folder in Internal Storage > Android > OBB.

Now go to the folder where the extracted APK file is. Click on it, and the installation will start. Follow on-screen instructions to complete.

Either way, you should see your newly installed application in your app drawer when you're done. Click the button below, and enjoy!

Follow these steps, and you should be fine in installing XAPK files on any Android device. If you have issues, then don't hesitate to ask!