How to install android apps without an apk file

FitBird

Hi!

I decided to go with downloading apps directly from developers, and use an RSS feed to watch for updates, instead of using f-droid or aurora.

I followed this guide video - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FFz57zNR_M0

The guide explains how to install APKs from github, but not when the android app in question only provides ZIP or TAR.GZ archive files.

Can anyone point me in the right direction in order to learn how to install apps via archive files?

Thanks a million!

Aru

FitBird
As far as I understand, those zip and tar.gz are source code files, you can't install them as is. You have to compile them to make an APK file.

itsjpb

FitBird can you give some examples of apps you doing this with? i think obtanium would be an effective solution but i want to confirm

xuid0

FitBird

The tar.gz and zip are archives and may not contain compiled APKs. You would need to extract the files inside them and possibly add execute permission then open. Usually though as others have said on GitHub those are source code that have been added into compressed archives unless otherwise told so.

FitBird

itsjpb
I was looking at AntennaPod for podcasts - https://github.com/AntennaPod/AntennaPod/releases

Their latest release only has the zip and tar.gz files.

I'll look into what obtanium is as well, thanks for the lead

As far as apps I've installed with apk files already, I've got NewPipe, Read You, breezy-weather, and unlauncher

Aru
Mentioned I'll need to look into compiling, which I've never done with android before. It shouldn't be too hard to find learning resources for that though

Also if you guys know of good FOSS fitness tracker apps for GPS tracking (for running and such), I'd love to hear!

[deleted]

FitBird I’m not sure of any specific apps, but those apps are so easy to program that there’s probably 10 new ones on your favorite appstore a month. However, you can check out the PineTime watch, which runs on open firmware and software and tracks some fitness stuff. It’s about $30.

itsjpb

FitBird i was mistaken, obtanium does not work without an apk file. someone may correct me but yes, compiling may be the best option

mmmm

FitBird fitotrack is pretty cool

Dumdum

itsjpb
As far as I'm aware, no. But Obtainium can install AntennaPod from the Fdroid link.

Famous

You will have to compile it or find the APK file, you can check F-Droid if the Github doesn't have the APK, but for Android you will generally need a .apk file to install apps.

missing-root

For using F-Droid or 3rd party f-droid repos, please use the official f-droid client. It uses way less data and is also way more secure and minimal that Obtainium.

Obtainium is basically a browser, huge attack surface. Especially "F-Droid Basic" is really slim

And yes Antennapod doesnt publish APKs