APK Downloader Chrome Extension

APK Downloader is a Chrome extension that allows you to download APK files from within your browser without installing the app on your Android device.

This original version of this Chromium extension can be found on codekiem.com/2012/02/24/apk-downloader. Improvements have been made by Bexton. This version is based on apkdownloader-1.3.4.zip as found on xda-developers: [Extension] Updated version of the APK Downloader Chrome Extension. Use that thread for support. This project was started because the 1.3.4 version became broken with Chromium 23 and because I (Lekensteyn) prefer a public git repository to work on code instead of some obscure zip package from a random forum.

The source code is hosted on GitHub. Contributions are welcome.

Beware: apps.evozi.com hosts a version of this extension which contains spyware. Although they do attribute my fixes for 1.4, there is no link to the GitHub repository. Originally only the GitHub repository was set up, but due to this infected extension, I decided to package my own extension. When linking, please use the Github repository or this page. As of February 2014, the attributions are gone but the spyware still exist. The version numbering of their app is independent of this one!

Installation instructions

For security reasons, Chrome does not allow you to install a Chrome extension directly from a random Internet site. This means that installation is not a one-click-install action, but nevertheless the installation process is very trivial:

1. Download the pre-packaged extension: apk-downloader.crx.
2. Click the Settings icon on the right of your URL bar.
3. Select Tools > Extensions.
4. Once the download has finished, drag the download to the Extensions page.
5. When you are asked to Confirm New Extension, press the Add button.

After the installation has finished, set-up your Google Account at Options (click the Options link on the Extensions page).

Changelog

Version 2.1 - 2014-07-28 (crx)

• Fixed suggested filename for download in Chrome 35 (?) and newer. (Issue 14)
• Append @gmail.com if no domain is entered for an email address.

Version 2.0 - 2014-02-11 (crx)

• Compatibility with updated Play Store.
• Workaround for losing auth tokens (disables login detection).
• Feedback when a download is being prepared.

Version 1.5.0 - 2013-07-27 (crx)

• Compatibility with new Play store (reported by existeam, Gaganpreet).
• Detect when login has expired before downloading and open options page if necessary (requires new permission: access to tabs)
• Insert email and device ID when trying to re-login (saves you from retyping this combination when session has expired).

Version 1.4.2 - 2013-02-03 (crx)

• Fix internal crash when trying to download certain apps.

Version 1.4.1 - 2013-01-13 (crx)

• Packaging-only change, add update URL to manifest file and provided ready-to-install CRX file.

Version 1.4 - 2012-12-09

• Rewrite Javascript core of extension, do not make it look too obfuscated.
• Chromium 23 compatibility. Due to restrictions on changing headers for clients.google.com, a new approach on retrieving the download URL and actually downloading an APK is implemented.
• Due to the rewrite, you should not need to disable SSL warnings anymore.
• Add help to options page.
• Hide SIM operator options by default as you usually do not need those.

For changes before and including 1.3.4, see the XDA thread linked above.

FAQ

• Q: For some apps, I get the Error, cannot download this app error when trying to download it.
  A: You cannot download paid applications using this program. That is a restriction of Google Play, maybe it works if you purchase the program. The other possibilities is that your device is not compatible or that the app is not to be distributed in your country.
• Q: Why am I asked for my e-mail and password? Is it stored somewhere?
  A: The email account and password are used to authenticate you at Google's servers. Only an authentication token for the Google Play site and the emailaddress are stored locally, the password is immediately discarded after login.
• Q: I do not understand this, plz download this app from me!!
  A: Try asking in this thread for help.

Disclaimer

This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
(at your option) any later version.

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
GNU General Public License for more details.

You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

For the full history, credits and description, please look at the README file located on GitHub.