What Is an XAPK File?
Android users generally turn to the Google Play Store when they need to install new apps. However, not all apps can be found at this location. For instance, you can’t find apps that were released only in certain regions across the globe. That’s where APKs (and XAPKs) come in: they allow you to install virtually any app you want on your device. APK stands for Android Package. It is the file format that Android uses to distribute and install apps, so an APK comes with all the elements that an app needs to install correctly on your device, with no extra stuff involved. XAPKs files can also be described as package containers for Android apps. However, they can’t be sideloaded onto your phone as APKs can. Furthermore, XAPKs often contain more data than APKs. The easiest way to grasp the concept is to look at an XAPK as a compressed file that includes a regular APK and a folder containing additional app data (in OBB format). Tip: is your Android’s battery draining fast? We recommended stopping apps from running in the background.
The Need for XAPK Files
One thing to note about the apps you find in the Google Play Store is that they won’t be over 100GB, as Google won’t allow it. However, APK and XAPK aren’t affected by this restriction, which is why some app developers prefer them.
While smaller apps can be packaged inside an APK without a problem, larger ones such as graphic-intensive games, require a bigger container to include all of the data. Enter XAPK files – they also include OBB files with additional data. (OBB stands for Opaque Binary Blob.) In addition, there’s such a thing as Split APKs, which clump even more files under the hood.
How to Install an XAPK File on Android
Before you install an XAPK file on your phone, you’ll need to download it. Since you can’t get them from Google Play Store, you’ll need to be extra careful when selecting the source of your download. We recommend APKPure, which offers a dedicated app through which you can directly install these files. Of course, you can also use a File Manager app to perform the installation. Note: installing XAPK files from untrusted sources may harm your device by opening doors for hacking attempts.
Using APKPure
Note: give the permission to “Install unknown apps” if prompted. Alternatively, if you don’t want to download and install your apps via the APKPure app, you can download a dedicated XAPK installer instead. Some good options include XAPK Installer and Uptodown, which ironically are available via the Google Play Store. Tip: curious to know your phone’s performance? Try these benchmarking apps for Android.
Via File Manager App
If you don’t want to install another app on your device just to install XAPK files, you don’t have to. An alternative is to force your Android device to treat the XAPK file as an APK file using the steps below.
How to Uninstall an XAPK File
If you want to remove the installed app from your Android device or if it has started to malfunction, uninstall the app as you would a normal app. To be on the safe side of things, also make sure you delete the OBB folder via your File Manager. Tip: if the Android app you have installed via an XAPK file is malfunctioning, you may want to try a few troubleshooting steps before opting for uninstallation. All images and screenshots by Alexandra Arici.
