How to Download Android Apps on a Computer & Put Them on a Phone

Google's Android operating system has a thriving community of third-party developers. You can find many applications in the Android Market, but you can also get apps by transferring the files from your PC. Sometimes Google removes apps from the Market at the request of cellular carriers or because they don't meet the company's terms and conditions. Some developers charge money for downloading apps off the Market but offer them for free on their Web pages. You can download the app files on your computer and transfer them to the phone using the USB cable that came with the device.

Instructions

1. • Open your Web browser and navigate to the developer's download page for the application you want to install. Alternatively, purchase or download the app from Amazon.com, Best Android Downloads or Get Android Stuff.
     
   • 2
     Click the app file in your computer's Web browser and click the option to save the file. Android apps come as APK files. By default, Windows stores downloaded files under "Documents" in the Windows Start menu. Click the "Downloads" folder and look for the file name.
     
   • 3
     Press the "Menu" button on the phone's main screen and tap "Settings."
     
   • 4
     Touch "Applications" and check the box next to "Unknown sources." The phone will display a dialog box warning you about the risk of installing unknown apps. Touch "OK" to accept.
     
   • 5
     Plug the USB data cable that came with your Android phone into the charging port on the device. Plug the other end into a USB port on the PC.
     
   • 6
     Touch the notification bar at the top of the phone screen and drag it down.
     
   • 7
     Touch "USB connection" and tap "USB Mass Storage."
     
   • 8
     Click the Windows orb on the Windows taskbar and click "Computer." The Android device appears as a drive under "Devices with removable storage."
     
   • 9
     Drag and drop the app files into the drive folder.
     
   • 10
     Click "Safely Remove Hardware & Eject Media" next to the clock on the computer and click the removable disk. Unplug the USB data cable from the phone and PC.
     
   • 11
     Press the "Home" button on the Android device to return to the main screen.
     
   • 12
     Open the Application screen and tap your file manager program.
     
   • 13
     Navigate to the root folder and touch the app file to install it on your phone.
     

Tips & Warnings

• Some Android phones come with a file manager program already installed. If your device doesn't have a file manager, touch "Market" and search for "file manager" to you can find one on the Android Market. As of August 2011, you can't download apps directly from the Android Market website.

 Amazon.com : Amazon AppStore for Android