How to Backup APK on Android 5 Easy Ways [Full Guide]

Part 1. What is an APK File?

APK (or Android application package) is an app installer for Android. It is saved as a zip file and contains all the files required to install the app on the Android OS. Think of it as the Android version of what .exe is for Windows or .dmg for Mac.

APK files are recognized with the .apk format and are a part of any app you download from the Google Play Store. You won’t see these files unless you install the Android apps from sources other than the Play Store.

Apart from creating the app backup, you can easily share these files with your friends. You can also download them without an internet connection or geo-restrictions.

Let’s find out how to back up these files using Android apps for APK backup.

Part 2. How to Backup APK on Android Using Mobile Apps

You can easily back up APK files using various Android apps. These apps can extract the APK files of your desired apps or create a complete backup of them on your phone. If you want to backup APK files directly on your PC, we’ve got a handy app for that as well.

Let’s find out how to back up APK on Android using these apps.

Method 1. Using File Manager

It is also super easy to use and has a fast performance speed. Instead of the entire app data, it creates an APK of the app, which you can share, compress, and move directly within the File Manager.

Here are the steps to create the Android APK backup using it.

Step 1. Install “File Manager” from the Play Store. Open it and grant the required permissions.

Step 2. Tap “Apps” on the main screen to view all the apps installed on your phone. Here, you can also view the Android system’s and your phone’s built-in apps.

Step 3. Tap and hold your desired Android app to back up the APK. It will reveal a menu bar at the bottom of your screen.

Step 4. Press “Backup” from the revealed menu to back up the app’s APK file. Once it’s done, tap “Open” to view its location.

Method 2. Using APK Extractor

If you want an Android app to back up APK without extra flair, APK Extractor can be your go-to solution. It offers a straightforward way to extract the APK files of any app stored on your phone. And you don’t need to root your device for it.

The cool thing about it is the ability to back up the APK of multiple apps at once. On the downside, you must bear with random ads with almost every tap. These banner ads can be annoying and removed only with a premium subscription.

Let’s find out how to use this app to extract and back up APK on Android.

Step 1. Install the “APK Extractor” app from the Google Play Store. Open the app and permit it to access your phone’s data.

Step 2. On the main screen, tap on your desired app once. It will open a pop-up showing all the information on the app. Press “Extract” to create its backup on your phone.

Step 3. Press “OK, SURE!” in the new pop-up to select or create a folder for the APK backup.

Step 4. Choose your desired folder or create one and tap “Use this Folder” to backup APK on your Android phone.

Part 3. How to Backup APK on Android with an Online Tool

Do you want to back up APK on Android because its latest version no longer supports your device? Sometimes, an app may no longer be available for your Android version after a recent update. You may want to preserve its older version to keep using it.

With the APK Downloader website, you don’t have to worry about that. It lets you extract APK directly from the app’s Google Play Store URL. You can then download it as an APK without worrying about device restrictions.

Here are the steps to use this website to extract and download APK on Android.

Step 1. Go to the APK Downloader website. Click the “Play Store” button to copy and paste the app URL.

Step 2. Find the app in the Google Play Store and copy its URL from the address bar.

Step 3. Return to the APK Downloader website and paste the URL in the relevant field.

Step 4. Click “Generate Download Link” to extract the app’s APK. Then, click the green download button to back up the APK on your device.

And that’s how Android APK backup directly from the Play Store works! But it’s not the end yet! Below, we have the easiest solution to back up APK files in a single click. Keep reading to learn more about it!

Part 4. Backup APK on Android with PC Software (Safe and Easy)

Do you want to back up APK and store it on your computer without much effort? Wondershare Dr.Fone is your answer! This advanced PC software lets you back up multiple apps in a single click.

You don’t need to access an online tool to use it. Dr.Fone is available right on your desktop for both Windows and Mac devices. No technical steps are involved. Anyone can use it to create Android APK backups effortlessly!

And if you’re looking for a data restore tool for Android APK, your search ends here. With Dr.Fone, you can restore APK backup to any Android or iOS device.

It also offers wide support for all types of devices, no matter the phone’s brand or model. In addition to apps, you can back up all other phone data types, such as photos, videos, messages, contacts, and more!

Dr.Fone - Phone Backup (Android)

Flexibly Backup APK on Android

• Selectively backup Android data to the computer with one click.
• Preview and restore the backup to any Android device.
• Supports 8000+ Android devices.
• There is no data lost during backup, export, or restoration.

Available on: Windows Mac

Start Download

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3,981,454 people have downloaded it

Let’s find out how to use this powerful tool to back up APK!

Steps to Backup APK using Wondershare Dr.Fone

Download and install Wondershare Dr.Fone on your Windows or Mac device. Connect your devices with a USB cable. Then, use the following instructions to get started.

Step 1. Launch Dr.Fone on your PC. Select “My Backup” from the left menu and wait until your phone is detected. Then, click “Back Up Now”.

Step 2. Download the Dr.Fone Link app on your phone and set it as the default SMS app. Once you are done, click “OK” from the new pop-up.

Step 3. Wait for the backup to complete. It will be done in no time. Then, set your phone’s default SMS app to send and receive messages and click “OK”.

Step 4. That’s it. Your phone is all backed up, including the apps! You can verify it by looking at the backup completed message on your screen.

Steps to Restore APK Backup using Wondershare Dr.Fone

Here are the steps to restore your phone’s APK backup with Dr.Fone.

Step 1. To restore the app data, select your phone’s name from the left panel and check the option for “Application.” Click “Restore to Device” to save the backup to your connected phone. Or click “Export to PC” to restore it to your computer.

Step 2. Review the selected file types to restore and click “Continue”. Dr.Fone will restore your backup, and you can check it from the progress bar.

Step 3. Once the data is successfully restored, you can confirm it by the restore completed window.

That’s all. You’re all done backing up and restoring APK using Dr.Fone! It was effortless, right? Let’s move ahead now and answer some questions you might have.

Conclusion

If you were wondering how to back up APK, now you have some handy solutions at your disposal. You can use mobile apps to create Android APK backups on your smartphone. Online tools let you back up these files using your browser.

However, while these offer a great solution, there are the looming risks of data breaches and inefficient backups. In contrast, a desktop solution like Dr.Fone is safe and reliable.

You can back up all of your phone’s data, including apps, in a single click. And when needed, you can restore the data on your phone or PC. So, don’t settle for less. Use Wondershare Dr.Fone to back up your phone’s data and supercharge your phone managing game!

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