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What is an APKS file? An APKS file is an APK set archive that contains a set of .APK files optimized for different Android devices, targeting specific screen sizes, CPU architectures, or language settings. APKS files are saved in a ZIP-based format, which means you can extract their contents with many standard file compression tools.

More Information Developers typically create APKS files using bundletool , an official command-line utility maintained by Google. It works with Android App Bundles ( .AAB files) to generate sets of APKs tailored for different devices. For example, developers can build an APKS file using a command like: bundletool build-apks --bundle=/path/to/app.aab --output=/path/to/app.apks They can also install the appropriate APKs from the archive onto a connected device using: bundletool install-apks --apks=app.apks NOTE: APKS files are primarily used by developers to test apps across different device configurations before publishing. Some third-party tools may also create APKS files when exporting apps, but this is less common.

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.APKS File Extension

APK Set Archive

DeveloperGoogle
Popularity
3.7  |  88 Votes
 

What is an APKS file?

An APKS file is an APK set archive that contains a set of .APK files optimized for different Android devices, targeting specific screen sizes, CPU architectures, or language settings. APKS files are saved in a ZIP-based format, which means you can extract their contents with many standard file compression tools.

More Information

Developers typically create APKS files using bundletool , an official command-line utility maintained by Google. It works with Android App Bundles ( .AAB files) to generate sets of APKs tailored for different devices. For example, developers can build an APKS file using a command like:

bundletool build-apks --bundle=/path/to/app.aab --output=/path/to/app.apks

They can also install the appropriate APKs from the archive onto a connected device using:

bundletool install-apks --apks=app.apks

NOTE: APKS files are primarily used by developers to test apps across different device configurations before publishing. Some third-party tools may also create APKS files when exporting apps, but this is less common.

How to open an APKS file

You can open APKS files with bundletool to install the app on a device, or extract it with a file compression utility to view the individual APK files. However, the APKs are intended to be used together, and installing them manually without the proper tool may not work correctly.

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Programs that open APKS files

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Windows

Google bundletool

Free

Mac

Google bundletool

Free

Linux

Google bundletool

Free

Android

Andatsoft My APK

Free

Chrome OS

Google bundletool

Free

Category: Developer Files

Updated: April 1, 2026

FAQ

What is an APKS file?
An APKS file is an APK set archive that contains a set of .APK files optimized for different Android devices, targeting specific screen sizes, CPU architectures, or language settings. APKS files are saved in a ZIP-based format, which means you can extract their contents with many standard file compression tools.
How do I open an .apks file?
You can open APKS files with bundletool to install the app on a device, or extract it with a file compression utility to view the individual APK files. However, the APKs are intended to be used together, and installing them manually without the proper tool may not work correctly.