The APKMirror Installer app serves as a valuable tool for Android users looking to install a variety of app file formats, including .apkm, .xapk, .apks, and traditional APK files. This app is particularly useful for those who sideload apps, as it simplifies the process of installing these complex file types.
A standout feature of APKMirror Installer is its ability to provide detailed feedback when the installation of a regular APK file fails. If you encounter an issue, the app can show you the specific reason for the failure, making troubleshooting much easier.
Understanding Split APKs
In 2018, Google introduced App Bundles at Google I/O, revolutionizing app delivery. For a comprehensive understanding, we recommend checking out the detailed illustrations in this AndroidPolice post. Essentially, before App Bundles, developers had two choices: create a single large APK with all necessary resources or manually manage multiple APK variants tailored to different device configurations (e.g., arm64 320dpi, x86 320dpi, etc.).
With App Bundles, Google takes over the management of these variants, splitting the app into multiple files, or split APKs. A typical release might include a base APK along with several split APKs, such as base.apk, arm64.split.apk, 320dpi.split.apk, en-us.lang.split.apk, and es-es.lang.split.apk. Installing these split APKs directly on a device can be tricky, as tapping on them individually won’t work—doing so will only install the base APK, leading to crashes due to missing components. This is where APKMirror Installer proves invaluable.
What are .apkm Files?
As more apps transition to the split APK format, sharing and installing them becomes challenging without specialized tools. APKMirror has addressed this by creating .apkm files. Each .apkm file contains a base APK and multiple split APKs. After installing APKMirror Installer and downloading an .apkm file, you can tap on it or use the app to locate it. The app lets you view the contents of each .apkm file and select specific splits for installation, helping you manage device storage more effectively.
Developing APKMirror Installer and its supporting infrastructure required significant time and resources. As a result, the app and website are ad-supported. However, for those who wish to avoid ads, subscription options are available, which also unlock additional features.
Issues and Bugs
For Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco MIUI users, there may be installation issues due to modifications in MIUI. A workaround involves disabling MIUI optimizations in developer settings, which should resolve the problem. More details on this issue can be found in the discussion on GitHub.
For other issues or bugs, users are encouraged to report them to the GitHub bug tracker. It’s important to note that APKMirror Installer is a file manager utility and does not include features like browsing websites or updating applications directly, as such features would violate the Play Store Terms of Service.
