Frequently asked questions
How this site works, what we check before a file goes live, and what we don't claim to check.
What is ApkSpring?
ApkSpring is a directory of Android app packages. Every listing shows the app's real package name, version, declared permissions, and minimum supported Android version, extracted directly from the file itself rather than typed in by hand.
Why do some apps link to Google Play instead of offering a direct download here?
We only host a file directly when we have the right to redistribute it. For everything else, the app page links straight to the official Google Play listing so you're always installing from the source the developer intended.
How do you verify a file before it's published?
Every uploaded file's signing certificate is extracted and checked. The first version we ever publish for a given app establishes the trusted certificate for that app; every later version must be signed with that same certificate to be automatically approved. If a new upload's signature doesn't match, it's held back for manual review and never appears on the site until that's resolved.
Does "Signature verified" mean the file is completely safe?
No, and we want to be precise about what it does and doesn't mean. It confirms this file is signed with the same certificate as the version we previously verified for this app, so it hasn't been swapped for a different, re-signed copy. It is not a claim that we've cross-checked it against Google's own official signing records, and it is not a malware scan.
Do you scan files for viruses or malware?
No, we don't run antivirus or malware scanning on every upload. What we do check is described above: signature consistency, not file safety. Install anything from any source, including this one, at your own judgment.
What do letters like arm64-v8a, armeabi-v7a, or nodpi in a filename mean?
They describe which device hardware a build targets. arm64-v8a and armeabi-v7a are CPU architectures used by almost all modern phones; x86 and x86_64 target Intel-based devices (mostly emulators). nodpi means the app isn't tied to a specific screen density and will scale to fit your device.
If I install an APK directly, will it still get updates from the Play Store later?
Only if the APK is signed with the same certificate as the Play Store release and you later install the Play Store version of the same app. Sideloading itself doesn't block updates, but mixing signatures between sources can — which is exactly what our signature check is designed to catch before a file goes live.
What's a split APK (.apks) bundle, and how do I install one?
Newer apps are sometimes distributed as a bundle of smaller files split by device configuration rather than one large APK. You need an installer app that supports bundles (such as Split APKs Installer) to combine and install them correctly.
How is "Popular" — Last 24 Hours, 7 Days, and 30 Days — decided?
It's based on real download clicks logged for each time window, ranked highest first. A freshly uploaded app with no downloads yet can still appear — the 24-hour list favors what's newest, and the 7-day and 30-day lists fill in with recent uploads when there isn't enough download activity yet to rank by.
How do I find a specific app?
Use the search box in the header — it matches against both the app name and the package name (e.g. com.example.app), and works even with JavaScript disabled.
I think a file is wrong, unsafe, or infringes copyright — what do I do?
For a copyright removal request, use the process on the DMCA page. For anything else — a wrong file, a broken link, a signature mismatch you've spotted — reach us through the Contact page.