--- description: Create and install an APK on an Android device directly from Capawesome Cloud. Use the install button or QR code to ship test builds without Google Play. title: Install an APK on an Android Device - Capawesome image: https://capawesome.io/docs/assets/images/social/cloud/native-builds/guides/install-apk-on-android-device.png --- [ Skip to content](#install-an-apk-on-an-android-device) [ 🎉 Introducing **Capawesome Platform** — one platform for Live Updates, Native Builds, App Store Publishing, and Insider SDKs.](https://capawesome.io) * [ Formbricks ](/docs/plugins/formbricks/) * [ Geocoder ](/docs/plugins/geocoder/) * [ Google Sign-In ](/docs/plugins/google-sign-in/) * [ Grafana Faro ](/docs/plugins/grafana-faro/) * [ libSQL ](/docs/plugins/libsql/) * [ Live Update ](/docs/plugins/live-update/) * [ Managed Configurations ](/docs/plugins/managed-configurations/) * [ Media Session ](/docs/plugins/media-session/) * [ ML Kit ](/docs/plugins/mlkit/) * [ Navigation Bar ](/docs/plugins/navigation-bar/) * [ NFC ](/docs/plugins/nfc/) * [ OAuth ](/docs/plugins/oauth/) * [ Pedometer ](/docs/plugins/pedometer/) * [ Photo Editor ](/docs/plugins/photo-editor/) * [ PostHog ](/docs/plugins/posthog/) * [ Printer ](/docs/plugins/printer/) * [ Purchases ](/docs/plugins/purchases/) * [ RealtimeKit ](/docs/plugins/realtimekit/) * [ Screen Orientation ](/docs/plugins/screen-orientation/) * [ Screenshot ](/docs/plugins/screenshot/) * [ Secure Preferences ](/docs/plugins/secure-preferences/) * [ Speech Recognition ](/docs/plugins/speech-recognition/) * [ Speech Synthesis ](/docs/plugins/speech-synthesis/) * [ Share Target ](/docs/plugins/share-target/) * [ Square Mobile Payments ](/docs/plugins/square-mobile-payments/) * [ SQLite ](/docs/plugins/sqlite/) * [ Superwall ](/docs/plugins/superwall/) * [ Torch ](/docs/plugins/torch/) * [ Wifi ](/docs/plugins/wifi/) * [ Zip ](/docs/plugins/zip/) * [ Cloud ](/docs/cloud/) * [ Live Updates ](/docs/cloud/live-updates/) * Advanced * Integrations * [ Native Builds ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/) * [ Configuration ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/configuration/) * [ Environments ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/environments/) * Guides * [ Install IPA on iOS Device ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/guides/install-ipa-on-ios-device/) * [ Sample Projects ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/sample-projects/) * [ Troubleshooting ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/troubleshooting/) * [ Automations ](/docs/cloud/automations/) * [ Assist ](/docs/cloud/assist/) * Account * Organizations * [ Organization and User Management ](/docs/cloud/organizations/memberships/) * [ Single Sign-On (SSO) ](/docs/cloud/organizations/sso/) * [ Teams ](/docs/cloud/organizations/teams/) * [ Two-Factor Authentication ](/docs/cloud/organizations/two-factor-authentication/) * [ Integrations ](/docs/cloud/integrations/) * [ License Keys ](/docs/cloud/license-keys/) * [ Webhooks ](/docs/cloud/webhooks/) * [ Pricing ](https://capawesome.io/pricing/) * [ FAQ ](/docs/cloud/faq/) * [ Support ](/docs/cloud/support/) * [ Contributing ](/docs/contributing/) * [ LLMs ](/docs/llms/) * [ Insiders ](/docs/insiders/) * [ License ](https://capawesome.io/legal/eula/) * [ Support ](/docs/insiders/support/) * [ FAQ ](/docs/insiders/faq/) * [ Blog ](/blog/) * Categories # Install an APK on an Android Device[¶](#install-an-apk-on-an-android-device "Permanent link") With [Capawesome Cloud](/), you can install an APK directly on a physical Android device — similar to how it works in platforms like Loadly or Diawi. All you need to do is create a build, allow installations from unknown sources, and scan a QR code or tap a download link. This guide walks you through the entire process using Capawesome Cloud and your Android device. ![Install App dialog for Android in Capawesome Cloud](/docs/assets/images/screenshots/cloud-install-app-android.png) ## Create the Build[¶](#create-the-build "Permanent link") First, trigger a new Android build in Capawesome Cloud: 1. Navigate to the [Builds](https://console.cloud.capawesome.io/apps/%5F/builds) page of your app in Capawesome Cloud. 2. Click on the **Build from Git** button. 3. Select the **Git reference** (branch, tag, or commit) you want to build from. 4. Select **Android** as the platform. 5. Select **Debug** or **Release** as the build type. 6. Click on **Build** to start the build process. Wait for the build to complete. You can monitor the build progress on the build details page. Signing Certificates **Release** builds require a signing certificate (keystore). If you haven't set one up yet, refer to the [Android Signing Certificates](/docs/cloud/native-builds/certificates/android/) documentation. For more detailed instructions on creating builds, refer to the [Getting Started](/docs/cloud/native-builds/setup/) guide. ## Allow Installations from Unknown Sources[¶](#allow-installations-from-unknown-sources "Permanent link") Before you can install an APK from outside the Google Play Store, you need to allow installations from unknown sources on your Android device. The browser you use to download the APK (e.g. Chrome) must be explicitly allowed to install apps. Android 8.0 and laterAndroid 7.x and earlier On Android 8.0 (Oreo) and later, you need to grant the install permission on a per-app basis: 1. Open **Settings** \> **Apps** \> **Special app access** \> **Install unknown apps**. 2. Select the app you will use to download the APK (e.g. **Chrome**). 3. Enable **Allow from this source**. Device-specific path The exact path may vary depending on your device manufacturer. On Samsung devices, the setting can be found under **Settings** \> **Biometrics and security** \> **Install unknown apps**. On Android 7.x (Nougat) and earlier, there is a single global toggle: 1. Open **Settings** \> **Security**. 2. Enable **Unknown sources**. ## Install the App[¶](#install-the-app "Permanent link") Once the build is complete, you can install the APK on your device: 1. Open the build details page in Capawesome Cloud. 2. Click the **Install App** button. 3. Scan the **QR code** with your Android device or tap the **Download** button if you are already on your device. 4. Open the downloaded APK file to start the installation. Google Play Protect Google Play Protect may show a warning about the app being from an unknown developer. You can dismiss this warning to proceed with the installation. This is a normal security feature of Android and does not indicate an issue with your app. May 7, 2026 Back to top