How to Open an XAPK File

What is an XAPK file?

XAPK is a container format, popularized by the APKPure app store, for distributing Android apps that don't fit cleanly into a single APK. Instead of one installer file, an XAPK zips together:

• The app's base APK — the core installer, same as a normal .apk.
• One or more split APKs — additional packages for specific screen densities, languages, or processor architectures (arm64-v8a, armeabi-v7a, x86...), so a device only needs to install the parts that actually apply to it.
• OBB expansion files (for many games) — large asset data that doesn't fit Google Play's APK size limits, normally installed under Android/obb/<package name>/.
• manifest.json — describes the bundle: the app's package name, version, an icon reference, the list of split APK files with their IDs, and where each OBB file should be installed.

A typical manifest.json looks like this:

{
  "xapk_version": 2,
  "package_name": "com.example.app",
  "name": "Example App",
  "version_code": "137",
  "version_name": "2.12.9",
  "icon": "icon.png",
  "split_apks": [
    { "id": "base", "file": "example.apk" },
    { "id": "config.arm64_v8a", "file": "config.arm64_v8a.apk" }
  ],
  "expansions": [
    { "file": "Android/obb/com.example.app/main.137.com.example.app.obb",
      "install_location": "EXTERNAL_STORAGE",
      "install_path": "Android/obb/com.example.app/main.137.com.example.app.obb" }
  ]
}

Because it's built entirely from a standard ZIP archive, any archive tool can open one for inspection — but installing what's inside correctly needs software that understands the manifest.

How to open (install) an XAPK file on Android

Android's built-in installer only recognizes plain APK files, so opening an XAPK directly usually does nothing, or opens it as a ZIP. You have two real options.

Option 1: Use a split-APK installer app (recommended)

1. Install a split-APK installer, such as SAI (Split APKs Installer) — a well-known open-source option — or the APKPure app, which manages both APK and XAPK files.
2. Download the .xapk file to your device.
3. Open your Files app and tap the .xapk file, choosing the installer app when Android asks which app should open it.
4. Allow installs from that app if prompted, the same way you would for a plain APK.
5. Confirm the install. The installer places the base APK, every matching split APK, and any OBB data automatically.

Option 2: Install manually

For a single XAPK with no need to automate anything:

1. Rename a copy of the file from .xapk to .zip and extract it with a file manager that supports ZIP (or use the online tool above).
2. Install the base .apk file from the extracted folder like any normal APK.
3. If there's an Android/obb/ folder in the extracted contents, copy it to Internal Storage > Android > obb on your device, preserving the exact folder structure.
4. On Android 11 and later, some apps may need to be granted storage access, or you may need a file manager with "All files access" permission to write into the OBB folder.

How to open an XAPK file on Windows

Since XAPK is Android-only, running the app on Windows needs an emulator, exactly like a plain APK.

1. Install an Android emulator such as BlueStacks, LDPlayer or NoxPlayer.
2. Most modern emulators can install XAPK files directly — drag the file onto the emulator window or use its "install APK/XAPK" option.
3. If your emulator only accepts plain APKs, extract the XAPK first (rename to .zip, extract with 7-Zip or WinRAR) and install the base APK from inside the emulator; you may need to manually copy any OBB folder into the emulator's virtual storage.

To just inspect the contents without installing anything, rename a copy to .zip and open it with 7-Zip or WinRAR — or use the online tool at the top of this page.

How to open an XAPK file on Mac

The same two paths apply as on Windows:

• To run the app: install an Android emulator for Mac (BlueStacks for Mac, Genymotion) and install the XAPK from inside it, checking Apple Silicon support if you're on an M-series Mac.
• To view the contents only: duplicate the file, rename the copy's extension to .zip, and double-click it — Archive Utility extracts it automatically.

How to open an XAPK file on Linux

Run the app with Waydroid or Anbox (an Android container for Linux), installing the base APK and copying any OBB folder into the container's storage. To inspect the contents without running anything, extract it like any ZIP:

unzip app.xapk -d app-extracted

Can I open an XAPK file on iPhone or iPad?

XAPK vs APK vs APKM vs AAB

Is it safe to open an XAPK file?

The same rule applies as for plain APKs: safety depends on the source, not the file format itself.

Before installing, check the permissions your XAPK opener or split-APK installer shows you, and prefer keeping Google Play Protect turned on — it scans sideloaded apps too, including ones installed from split-APK installers.

Common XAPK problems and how to fix them

Android just opens it as a ZIP, or does nothing

You need a split-APK installer app (SAI, APKPure) — Android's default installer doesn't understand the XAPK container.

App installs but crashes, or is missing textures/assets

The OBB expansion data likely wasn't copied to the correct Android/obb/<package name>/ folder, or you only installed the base APK and skipped the split APKs.

"App not installed" from the installer

Usually a corrupted or incomplete download (re-download the file), or a version of the app already installed with a different signature (uninstall it first).

Split APK doesn't match your device

Some XAPKs include split APKs for multiple processor architectures; a split-APK installer normally picks the right one automatically, but manually installing the wrong config.*.apk can cause install failures.

Related file extensions

Frequently asked questions