APKMirror Installer is an essential tool designed to streamline the process of installing various file formats such as .apkm, .xapk, and .apks app bundles, along with regular APK files. This app not only simplifies the installation of these files but also offers a valuable feature for regular APKs: if an installation fails, APKMirror Installer provides detailed reasons for the failure, helping users troubleshoot issues more effectively.
Understanding Split APKs
Introduced at Google I/O in 2018, App Bundles revolutionized app delivery by shifting the management of APK variants to Google. This dynamic delivery system splits apps into multiple chunks, creating what are known as split APKs. A typical release might include a base APK and several splits, such as architecture-specific splits (e.g., arm64), density-specific splits (e.g., 320dpi), and language-specific splits (e.g., en-us, es-es). Installing these split APKs directly on a device can be tricky because only the base APK can be installed initially, which may lead to crashes due to missing resources. This is where APKMirror Installer proves invaluable, facilitating the installation of these split APKs.
What are .apkm Files?
With many apps transitioning to the split APK format, APKMirror developed .apkm files to ensure easy and secure sideloading. An .apkm file contains a base APK and multiple split APKs, allowing users to view and select specific splits for installation, thus saving device space. After installing APKMirror Installer and downloading an .apkm file, users can tap on it or use the app to navigate to the download location and proceed with the installation.
APKMirror Installer and its supporting infrastructure required extensive development, which is why the app and site are supported by ads. However, for those looking to enjoy an ad-free experience, various subscription options are available, unlocking additional features as well.
Issues and Bugs
For Xiaomi, Redmi, and Poco users running MIUI, there's a known issue due to modifications in the Android part that APKMirror Installer uses for installing split APKs. A suggested workaround is to disable MIUI optimizations in developer settings, which should resolve the installation issues. More details on this can be found at this GitHub thread.
If you encounter other issues or bugs, please report them to our GitHub bug tracker.
Note that APKMirror Installer functions as a file manager utility and does not include direct app store features such as browsing websites or updating applications, in compliance with the Play Store Terms of Service.
