Android App Side-Loading Here is a compact yet deep technical step-by-step guide to how to load apps onto Android mobile smartphones and tablets, all in one page with clickable flowcharts, wise tips, but without the sales hype and confusing generalities. Related topics elsewhere on this same website (WilsonMar.com):   1. Android Index - Gurus, Websites, Books, Classes, Videos, Chats, etc.   2. Android Versions   3. Android Mobile Devices   4. Mobile Carrier Selection   5. Android Watches   6. Android Device Usage Basics   7. Android App Side-loading   8. Android App Markets and Reviewers   9. Android Utility Apps 10. Android User Apps 11. Android USB Connections 12. Android OS Rooting and Rooted Apps 13. Android App Frameworks 14. Android Java Eclipse Development Setup 15. Android Emulators 16. Android Java Programming and Testing 17. Android App Localization and Testing 18. Android Lifecycle and Testing 19. Android Data Management and Testing 20. Android User Preferences and Experience Features 21. Android UI Programming and Testing 22. HTML5 Features 23. HTML5 Coding and Testing 24. Android User Controls Coding and Testing 25. Android Hardware Control and Testing 26. Android Services Coding and Testing 27. Android App Monetization 28. Android App Marketing 29. Mobile VuGen Scripting for Load Testing 30. Lua Programming

Topics this page: Installing on Device Gmail Apkinstall.com Dropbox Easy Installer Installing on Device ADB Shell USB and Notification Your comments???

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Installing App compiled .apk files to Device

Apps are packaged with the .apk file extension so that the OS knows to install the file when it's invoked (much like .exe files on Windows machines).

REMEMBER: 50MB is the maximum APK file size allowed on the Android Market.

There are several ways to transfer an .apk (Android Package) file on your PC to the device.

Gmail

From a PC/Mac, email the apk file to your gmail account, then retrieve it on your Adroid device using the Android native Gmail app, which recognizes apk files and provides an Install button.

The message "For security, your tablet is set to block installation of applications not obtained from Android Market." can be resolved by clicking Settings > Unknown sources. Confirm OK to the message "Your tablet and personal data are more vulnerable to attack by applications from unknown sources. You agree that you are solely responsible for any damage to your tablet or loss of data that may result from using these applications."

Apkinstall.com

If you want friends to remotely install your homebrew apk, generate a temporary QR code to specify a temporary location to download the file from
WEBSITE: http://www.apkinstall.com/. Click "Browse" to specify the location of your .apk file. The website generates a QR code, valid for 15 minutes.

Droidbin.com is an alternative.

Dropbox

Upload app apk files to Storage or Public folders on an internet data cloud at
WEBSITE: DropBox.com.
Register for disk space and install their client on your PC which creates an Dropbox icon on your desktop into which you drop .apk files dragged from Windows Explorer.
Then on your Android device install

APP: DropBox to download (retrieve) and install apk files from the DropBox cloud.

EasyInstaller

APP: Easy Installer from InfoLife installs (and deletes) apps from apk files on SD card. It's easy in that it scans the SD card for apk files.

USB Cable Notification

To deploy an apk file from your PC to the Android device via a USB cable:

1. Ensure a USB Connection between PC and device The smaller connector goes to the phone, while the full sized USB plugs into your computer.

2. Pull down the Notification screen and "Connect USB storage".
3. Open another Explorer window and navigate to the folder holding the .apk file.
4. On the PC side, click the Windows "Start" orb, then "Computer." Your devices's SD card is one of the drives named Removeable Disk.
5. Drag and drop the .apk files you want installed onto to the drive containing the Android folder.
6. Unplug (disconnect) the USB cable from your phone.
7. On the phone, open your favorite File Manager app. Navigate to the .apk file and tap on it to install it.
8. If a warning message appears, tap "Settings" on the warning window. Add a check to the box labeled "Unknown sources." Go back to your application's folder location and tap it once more.

ADB Shell via USB Cable

If you have the SDK installed:

1. Ensure a USB Connection between PC and device
2. To perform the install, Run command line:
   adb install C:\Installers\Sipdroid-2.3.apk

   Replace C:\Installers with where you store the apk file.
   Replace Sipdroid-2.3.apk with the apk file you want to install.

   The expected valid response from the command above is the number of bytes and the time measured:

   1066 KB/s (1011449 bytes in 0.926s)
   pkg: /data/local/tmp/Sipdroid-2.3.apk
   Success

3. On the device, look for the app just installed.