Looking to install your favorite Android app on BlueStacks, but can't find it on Google Play for some reason? Do not worry. BlueStacks lets you install any app that runs on Android as long as you have the APK of the app. And with so many third-party sources offering ready-to-install APKs, nothing should stop you from enjoying your favorite games and apps, even if you don't have a mobile device to run them on.
This article will show you how to install APK on BlueStacks and properly configure you for Android experience on your PC.
How to install an APK
BlueStacks is a tool to install Android apps on your PC so that you can enjoy your computer's bigger screen, faster processor and better graphics.
It helps you play Android games or use Android apps without buying an Android mobile device, bringing the power of Google Play right to your desktop.
With this emulator you can access all Google Play services. This includes millions of Android apps, e-books, games, and magazines.
But what if you can't access Google Play directly? This is where APK files come in.
APK stands for Android Package Kit. It is the file format used to distribute and install application software on Google's Android operating system.
Unlike the Google Play version of an app, an APK file can be downloaded from trustworthy third-party platforms and installed on BlueStacks or Android devices.
APK files have several advantages:
- They allow you to install older versions of an application. While Google Play only allows Android users to install the latest version of an app, third-party sources let you dive into the archives and install older versions.
- They can help you install and use the beta version of an app that was leaked before its official release. This is quite common in the gaming world.
- You can bypass Google Play geo-restrictions that make certain apps unavailable based on your location.
The steps to install APK files on BlueStacks vary depending on the version you are using.
Let's first see how to install APK on BlueStacks 4.230 and earlier.
How to Install an APK on BlueStacks 4.230 or Earlier
If you prefer to run your Android apps on BlueStacks version 4.230 or earlier, here's how to install APK files of any app you want:
- Download the APK file from a credible and trustworthy third-party website.
- Open your BlueStacks player and go to "My games".
- Click on the three vertical bars next to "Customize". You should see a list of options allowing you to adjust the icon size, change your wallpaper, and install the APK.
- Select "Install APK" to open Windows Explorer, where you can navigate to the folder containing your APK file
.
- Once you find the application, select it and click "Open" at the bottom of the explorer window. At this point, the app should start installing on BlueStacks. You can then launch it from the "My Games" tab.
How to Install an APK on BlueStacks 4.240 or Later
Although 4.230 and 4.240 have a lot in common, the steps for installing APK files are a bit different.
Here's how to do it when using version 4.240 or later:
- Download the APK file from a credible and trustworthy third-party website.
- Launch BlueStacks on your computer.
- Click on the "Install APK" tab in the sidebar to your right, or press the Ctrl + Shift + B keys simultaneously. This should open a Windows Explorer pop-up window where you can navigate to the folder containing the APK you want to install.
- Once you have located the file, select it and then click "Open".
- The app should start installing on BlueStacks and be sent to the “My Games” section.
How to Install an APK on BlueStacks 5
As the latest version, BlueStacks 5 provides Android lovers with the smoothest and most efficient gaming performance. However, your computer must have at least 4 GB of RAM and 5 GB of free disk space.
There are two ways to install APK files on BlueStacks 5:
The drag-and-drop method
- Download the APK file from a credible and trustworthy third-party website.
- Launch BlueStacks on your computer.
- Navigate to the APK folder location.
- Drag and drop the file onto the BlueStacks home screen to begin the installation process.
After successfully installing, you can open the app from the home screen of BlueStacks 5.
The Windows Explorer Method
- Download the APK file of the app you want to install.
- Click the "Install APK" tab on the side toolbar. This should open a Windows Explorer pop-up window for you to select the file you want to install.
- Once you have located the APK, select it and click "Open" to begin the installation process.
After installation, you should see the app icon on BlueStacks home screen.
BlueStacks failed to install APK
Installing APKs on BlueStacks almost always goes smoothly, but some users have reported issues, especially when using older versions of the Android emulator.
If the installation fails, here are some troubleshooting methods you can try:
Method 1: Install BlueStacks invalid file resolver
Well aware that some APK files do not always install successfully, the developers of BlueStacks have released a hotfix to fix the problem. You just need to download the patch and install it on BlueStacks.
After installation, you should be able to install the APK files without any issues.
Method 2: Install Rooted Version of BlueStacks
It's an open secret that some apps only install on rooted versions of the operating system. Likewise, such an app can only work on a rooted version of BlueStacks. The good news is that you can easily find a copy of it on websites on the internet.
Method 3: Reinstall BlueStacks
If none of the above methods work for you, chances are the problem is your BlueStacks app. It might not install properly or it might just not be supported by your PC. So, consider uninstalling it and then installing the latest version of the app.
Get the most out of Android
BlueStacks lets you run just about any app made for Android, including anything in the Google Play Store. You can even use it to play multiplayer games with friends who also have BlueStacks installed on their computers.
More importantly, this trick can come in handy when you want to bypass Google Play geo-restrictions or use an older version of the app. You can even install apps that aren't officially released yet.
If you're a developer, you can also test your apps directly on your computer before publishing them to the Google Play Store.
Have you tried installing APK on BlueStacks? How was it?
Let us know in the comments section below.
