Android Question Ho to manually install apk?

[GiovanniPolese]

Perhaps this question has already been answered, and I would like a link, in case. I need to manually manage the apk , sending it to other people for tests..But, first of all, I don't find any apk among the files of the object folder.. I only find a temp.ap_ file. Moreover, how can I manually install the apk file without B4a and B4aBridge? Thanks in advance

 

[MikeH]

One method:

Copy and rename the temp.ap_ file to "whateveryouchoose.apk" then email this to the other people. When they open the file in their email it will install. They need to have "Unknown sources" ticked in the development options in settings.

 

[NJDude]

Make sure you compile your app in RELEASE mode and not DEBUG, the name will be "<YOUR_APP_NAME>.apk", if you don't see that then something is not right.

 

[GiovanniPolese]

NJDude, yes, you are completely right... now I see this apk.. I cannot swear, but something strange happened. I know perfectly that I had to compile with release option, but I am rather sure not to have seen the apk before.... Anyway, the apk exists. Can you tell me what's next?

 

[yttrium]

Attach that .apk to an email and send it to whoever you want to install the app. They need to view the email on their phone, and have "unknown sources" checked (enabled) in their settings. This option can be found under Settings > [Personal] > Security > [Device Administration] > Unknown Sources. At least, it's that way on 4.3. I think it was there all the way back to 4.0.

During the Gingerbread days (if you have older users) it'll be under Apps instead of Security.

 

[GiovanniPolese]

Thanks to you too. Unluckily this doesn't resolve my problem. In other words I am lookig for a way to install manually, perhaps copying it inside a smartphone folder.. I did some trials in this sense, hoping that the Application management (Hope its name is this in English, seen that I see it only in my language), inside the Settings, would have done something.. but of course not.. Just suppose that I have not such syncronization of e-mails.. Thanks again, anyway..

 

[yttrium]

You can also transfer the .apk file manually to your phone and download any one of the thousands of file managers out there to install it. I personally recommend OI File Manager.

Once you have that installed, open it and find your .apk. Then just tap it and hit "install".

 

[GiovanniPolese]

That's what I needed. I will try. Many thanks.

 

[MikeH]

Also, in the Google Play Developer Console, you have the facility to add alpha and beta testers. In the Settings, add the user(s) and then upload your test apk to the beta or alpha section.