APK and Android app guides
Plain guides to installing Android apps from APK files: install steps for every phone brand, SHA-256 checks, permissions, Android versions and fixes for install errors.
Updated 1 Nov 2026
- Guide 1How to install an APK on Android (step by step)Install an APK file on Android 8 to 16: allow your browser to install unknown apps, open the file, and switch the setting off again. Plain steps with screenshots-free menu paths.
- Guide 2How to verify an APK with its SHA-256 checksumCheck that a downloaded APK is exactly the file the developer published by comparing its SHA-256 hash. Works in the browser, on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android.
- Guide 3Android app permissions explained in plain wordsWhat camera, microphone, storage, overlay and network permissions let an Android app do, which ones Android asks about first, and how to turn them off.
- Guide 4How to check your Android version (and API level)Find your Android version in Settings > About phone, see which API level it matches, and check which AltFTool apps will install on your phone.
- Guide 5Is it safe to install APK files? A 7-point checklistAPK files are safe when they come straight from the developer and match the published checksum. Use this 7-point checklist before you install any APK.
- Guide 6APK vs Play Store: what is different?How installing an app from an APK compares with installing from Google Play: updates, security checks, payments, and when an APK makes sense.
- Guide 7Fix 'App not installed' and other APK install errorsWhy Android says 'App not installed', 'There was a problem parsing the package' or 'Blocked by Play Protect', and how to fix each one.
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Every AltFTool app page lists the real version, size, permissions and SHA-256 of its APK.