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Installing APK files on your iPhone is impossible. That’s because these files are designed to be run on Android devices. Android apps are compiled into the Dalvik executable file, which is present inside an APK package. As for iOS; it runs compiled files from IPA, usually coded with Xcode language.
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Is there an iOS version of APK?
Yes, there’s an iOS version of APK, it’s called IPA. Before going ahead to tell you more about what IPA files are, let me first talk about what APK files are all about.
What exactly is an APK File and what does it include?
APK is an abbreviation that stands for Android Package. Sometimes, people also call APK other names, such as Android Application Package or Android Package Kit.
Irrespective of what you call it, one thing you need to know is that APK is an Android package file format that is utilized by the Android operating system (OS). Android OS takes advantage of APK files to distribute and install apps. In simpler terms, you can safely say that an APK file is created by Google solely for various Android operating systems.
Here’s what is in an APK file:
Well, you need to understand that there’s more to APK than it being created by Google. Another thing you need to know is that there’s a META-INF, which contains the signatures and resources within an APK file.
Meta-INF is a directory in Java and it’s utilized by the platform to configure applications, extensions, class loaders, and services.
Images and other resources within the APK files are stored inside the native library, which happens to be a part of the Lib/ and Res/ files. Another thing that an APK file includes is the AndroidManifest.xml file, which is responsible for describing the name, version, and contents of an APK file.
Lastly, compiled Java classes and strings, which will be run on your Android gadget, are present inside the classes.dex and resources.arsc files of your APK.
Dex file is an abbreviation for Dalvik executable (DEX) file. In case you don’t know, Android apps are written in Java and compiled into the .dex file, which is within an APK file.
IPA is the iOS version of the Android Application Package (APK)
As earlier mentioned, IPA is the iOS version of APK or the Android Application Package. Unlike Android OS, which is compiled into the Dalvik executable file, iOS (or iPhone operating system) only works by running compiled files from IPA.
Furthermore, IPA is an acronym that stands for “iOS App Store Package.” The .ipa file is similar to the APK file. The only difference is that the file is an iOS application archive file, which includes binary that can only be utilized on iOS and ARM-based macOS devices.
IPA files are generally used by Apple products, including iPhones, iPad, Mac, and iPod touch devices. Through any of these devices, you can always download IPA files through the App Store app and use them for their intended purpose.
So, the bottom line is that there’s an iOS version of Android Package Kit or APK. The APK version that you can download on your iPhone and other iOS devices is known as IPA. It’s coded with Xcode language unlike APK, which is written in Java.
How do I install an APK file on my iPhone?
As you now know, an APK file is a file created by Google specifically for Android OS devices. As such, there’s no way you can have this type of file downloaded on your iPhone. APK files work differently from how apps used in iOS work. Because of a couple of reasons, Android apps and iOS apps don’t work with each other.
As such, you need to understand that you can’t install an APK file directly from your iPhone. The only thing you can consider doing is to go for an APK version of the file that’s specifically designed for iOS devices.
What I’m trying to say is that you can’t install an APK file on your iPhone. Instead, you can go for the IPA version of the app or file you’re interested in getting – that’s if there’s one available on your iPhone’s App Store app.
The bottom line is that it’s 100% impossible to download and install APK files on iPhones and other iOS devices. If you have a strong interest in the app and you need to have it on your iPhone, the best you can do is to go for the IPA version of the file.
How to install apk files on iPhone without jailbreak?
Jailbreaking a phone, especially iPhones, is a process that involves modifying a phone just to enjoy unrestricted access to file systems that aren’t supported by the phone in its default state.
There are tons of reasons why people jailbreak their phones today. The most common reason for that is that jailbreaking will provide them with the ability to install custom apps, which couldn’t be used normally on the phone.
Since you’re interested in downloading APK files on your iOS device, which is normally impossible, the best way to do it without jailbreaking your iPhone is by going for the IPA version of the file, as suggested by APK Guru. After that, you can follow the simple and direct steps below to finish the process:
- First, you need to download the IPA version of the APK file you’re looking to download.
- After that, the next step requires you to download and install another app, called Cydia Impactor. Without this app, there’s no way you’ll be able to sign in to your Apple account to use the already downloaded IPA file.
- So, ensure to download and install Cydia Impactor on your iOS device.
- After that, you need to connect your iOS device using either a Windows device or a MAC device.
- After successfully connecting your iOS device, the next thing you need is to launch the already downloaded Cydia Impactor app.
- After launching the app, you need to proceed and paste the already downloaded IPA file, which happens to be the iOS equivalent of the APK file you want to download.
- Next, you need to re-sign your Apple ID. After that, tap on the ID to begin the installation process of the IPA file.
Bottom line: for people looking to download APK files on your iOS gadgets, that’s just about how to do it below. Since APK is an Android-only file, there’s no way you can download it directly on your iOS device.
For you to be able to download any APK file on your iPhone or iOS device, you need to first look for the IPA file equivalent of the APK file you want to download. If you’re lucky enough to see the IPA equivalent, then you need to download Cydia Impactor, another app that will allow you to sign in to your Apple ID and install the IPA file without jailbreaking your device or using any tweak.
How do I open APK files on iOS?
You can’t directly open an APK file through your iOS device. It’s impossible because APK files aren’t designed to be used on iPhone operating systems.
For you to open an APK file on your iOS device, you’ll have to use an indirect approach. This requires you to first get an IPA version of the APK file you want to download. After that, download and install Cydia Impactor from your App store.
With Cydia Impactor, you’ll be able to install and open the APK file (its IPA equivalent) on your iOS device.