# APK Viewer

Free online APK viewer. Open Android application packages (.apk) in your browser to list contents — no upload, no extraction.

> Canonical page: https://elysiatools.com/en/viewers/apk

- **Category:** Archives

- **Supported formats:** .apk

## Overview

This APK viewer reads Android application packages directly in your browser. APK (.apk) is the file format Android uses to distribute and install apps. It is a ZIP-based package containing the app's compiled code (DEX), resources, assets and manifest. Pick a sample or choose your own .apk file to browse its contents instantly, with no upload.

## When to use

- You downloaded an .apk file and want to inspect its contents before installing.
- You need a private preview of an app's resources and manifest.
- You want to check an APK on a machine without Android tools.

## How it works

- Select a built-in sample package or choose your own .apk file.
- The viewer reads the archive's contents in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
- Browse the file list to see DEX, resources, assets and AndroidManifest.xml.

## Use cases

- Inspecting APK resources and assets.
- Checking the manifest and package structure.
- Previewing app contents before sideloading.

## Samples

- **Sample Archive**: A APK archive sample for in-browser preview

## Frequently asked questions

### What is an APK file?

APK (Android Package) is the file format Android uses to distribute and install applications. It is a ZIP-based archive containing compiled code (classes.dex), resources, assets, the Android manifest and a signature.

### Are my APK files uploaded?

No. Files you open from your device stay on your device and are read locally. Only the public sample package is requested from the server.

### Can it decode AndroidManifest.xml?

The viewer lists the archive contents for inspection. The AndroidManifest.xml inside an APK is stored in a compiled binary format; the viewer shows its presence but may not display it as readable XML.

## Related content

- [ZIP Viewer](https://elysiatools.com/en/viewers/zip): Open and preview ZIP archives (.zip, .zipx) directly in your browser — list contents without uploading or extracting.
- [7Z Viewer](https://elysiatools.com/en/viewers/7z): Open and preview 7Z archives (.7z) directly in your browser — list contents without uploading or extracting.
- [RAR Viewer](https://elysiatools.com/en/viewers/rar): Open and preview RAR archives (.rar, .cbr) directly in your browser — list contents without uploading or extracting.
- [TAR Viewer](https://elysiatools.com/en/viewers/tar): Open and preview TAR archives (.tar, .tgz) directly in your browser — list contents without uploading or extracting.
- [GZ Viewer](https://elysiatools.com/en/viewers/gz): Open and preview GZip archives (.gz, .gzip) directly in your browser — list contents without uploading or extracting.
- [BZ2 Viewer](https://elysiatools.com/en/viewers/bz2): Open and preview BZip2 archives (.bz2, .bzip2, .tbz, .tbz2) directly in your browser — list contents without uploading or extracting.