LG

Installing Android Applications (APK files)

Most applications for the Android Operating System can be installed from the Android Market.  This is probably the safest place to get your applications and Operating System add-ons.  However some apps come directly from the publisher’s web site or from friends and associates.  Usually the Apps from sources other than the Android Market are not automatically installed.  This means you will need to find a way to install these apps in order to get them to work.  Application installation utilities for Android have a file extension of “.apk” so the file will look like “MyApp.apk” If you haven’t  already, You will need to copy the apk file to your MicroSD Card on your phone so that you can install it. 

Warning!  Installing applications from unknown sources can be dangerous. This is how Viruses and Spyware can get passed to your devices…  Only install Apps from trusted sources and ones you know have been scanned by an antivirus utility

Before we can install applications to your Android Phone, we need to add the installation functionality to the phone.  There are a couple of ways of doing this. 

• The easiest way is to simply press on the Android Market Icon on your phones Home Screen.
• Press the Search Key and search for an applications like “App Installer” or “Z-App Installer”, there should be several different choices to choose from.  Once downloaded, the market will automatically install the installer utility to allow for future installations.  When it’s installed, you are ready to install Applications from other sites than the Android Market.
• To use the App installer, Go to the Application Tray and locate the App installer.  Press on the Icon to open the App installer and it should show you a list of available apk files that you can install.
• Press on the apk file name and you should see an installation confirmation window pop up showing the access privileges that the App requires and a button asking you to confirm that you do want to continue the installation.
• After installation, the app should show up in the Applications windows, either alphabetically or at the bottom of the window under the "Downloads" Catagory.
• Press on the Apps Icon to launch the new app.

-OR   We can use the “ThinkFree Office” application which was pre-installed on most of the  Optimus/Ally/Vorex/Axis and Apex phones. (Virgin Mobile Optimus-V does not have ThinkFree)

• Either copy the apk file to your MicroSD Card, or Download it from the publisher’s Web Site.
• If your LG Android phones come with ThinkFree Office installed in the Applications window, we can use it to install your apps to your phone. 
• Thinkfree office is an application for creating and editing documents, but we’re going to use its File Management capabilities to install our apk file.
• If you have copied the apk file from your PC to your MicroSD Card, you will need to dismount the SD Card from your PC and disconnect the phone from the USB cable
• On your phone, go to the Applications window and locate ThinkFree Office and press on the Icon.
• When ThinkFree opens it will display the Root directory of your SD Card.  Scroll down the list of folders and files until you see the name of the Application (apk) file you copied to the Card.
• Press on the apk file name and you should see an installation confirmation window pop up showing the access privileges that the App requires and a button asking you to confirm that you do want to continue the installation.
• After installation, the app should show up in the Applications windows, either alphabetically or at the bottom of the window under the "Downloads" Catagory.
• Press on the Apps Icon to launch the new app.