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How can I allow a user to do web-install of Android APK file from my personal web page? Like to create a personal (private) APK repository where I could put APK files and send a client the link to the APK file. A client would then click on this file and install the Android app to its phone.

Is this possible/allowed on the first place?

Any cool tool a user should use for installing such apps?

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Once the user allows Unknown Sources, they should pretty much be able to get APK from anywhere...
Check this StackOverflow question: Hosting an .apk file on over own site

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  • When I use mobile browser to access the APK file located on my server, it downloads it rather than installing it directly. And yes, the Unknown Sources is checked.
    – AnDroDroo
    Jun 23, 2011 at 9:03
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    Now open a file manager on the device, locate the file and try to open it -- it will launch through the installer.
    – nik
    Jun 23, 2011 at 9:19
  • I know this. This way or via ADB is not complicated for me :). But it is for some of my clients. Is there a way to install it like on the Market - click on install and app is installed?
    – AnDroDroo
    Jun 23, 2011 at 9:31
  • @askmoo no, that's not possible afaik
    – Sathyajith Bhat
    Jun 23, 2011 at 10:22
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    @askmoo: Not without having a cooperating app already installed in the phone; and that's a Good Thing - unless you want to revisit the Browser Dark Ages (early 2000s), when just visiting a malicious page would auto-install a boatload of malware to your computer.
    – Piskvor left the building
    Jun 24, 2011 at 20:18
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It seems that this can be done with Aptoide server and the same Android app for client.

On server side you just copy all APKs and generate the XML file via Aptoide server script. User then installs this app, adds your repository and downloads/installs the APK.

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    As @askmoo said a good option is to use Aptoide [aptoide.com/index2.html] with this option your clients will have an application like Market that will allow them to install your applications
    – Doliveras
    Jun 23, 2011 at 15:53
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If you want the user to be able to download and install the application just like they can on market, the user must be using the stock browser. Otherwise, they must have specific plug-ins when using other browsers.

When I use mobile browser to access the APK file located on my server, it downloads it rather than installing it directly. And yes, the Unknown Sources is checked

Are you using the stock browser?

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