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> "Just let me download and run an application" This is how Android works?... You can download an ".apk" file and just install + run it, like an ".exe" or ".m

> "Just let me download and run an application" This is how Android works?... You can download an ".apk" file and just install + run it, like an ".exe" or ".msi"

xigoi 1y ago
You have to install the app. You can’t just run it directly, as opposed to executables on desktop computers.
- gavinray 1y ago
  That's because .apk's are essentially ZIP archives -- they contain assets required for the executable as well as a manifest declaring permissions. That's a bit of a handwavy explanation, there's more to it than that, but that's the gist of why you can't "directly" run apps on Android.
  - treyd 1y ago
    And you kinda still can, in a terminal emulator, it just can't behave like an app since it won't integrate with the system UI.
  - black3r 1y ago
    The assets aren't extracted during installation though. The APK is copied as is, the executable files are extracted to a cache, but that can technically be done at runtime. More important parts of the installation process is configuring the default permission set for the application, creating its linux user and it's data directories. (In Android every app runs under its own linux user, and by default only has access to a specific data directory created for that app, to access other directories you need broader filesystem permissions). But this could technically still be done at runtime. The bigger problem requiring installation would be features where the OS needs to start the app up - notifications, or app's background processes. Although even there some kind of temporary installation at runtime could work...
Padlock4543 1y ago
It is. The belief that all mobile devices are this locked down is Apple's greatest trick. I don't even think it is premeditated by the Company's leadership. But the users and ecosystem evolved in a way where this level of fandom and narrative are great for them.
- dmos62 1y ago
  Apple locks down their devices, gaming consoles are locked down, most IOT and home appliance devices are locked down: even "modular" devices like PCs (and their components) lock down their firmware and close-source their drivers. Heck, most of publicly-funded software is closed-source. Entire industries are based on software that's shitty and closed-source (see Adobe or Archicad). In each of these cases opening up the relevant systems or diverting license fees to investments into open alternatives would be a dramatic improvement to status quo, and not only for the geeks, but for the average person. But, we've not yet realised that; what we're currently doing is what makes most sense to us. Oh well.
netfortius 1y ago
How I wish that was the case! Ever since having moved from the US to the EU, I find myself having to go to Aurora Store more than 50% of the time, as A LOT of apps with country locality are not available in downloadable apk format, from any of the major apk distribution sites or - when rarely found - they are a few versions behind, and can't be run.

> "Just let me download and run an application" This is how Android works?... You can download an ".apk" file and just install + run it, like an ".exe" or ".msi"

xigoi 1y ago

You have to install the app. You can’t just run it directly, as opposed to executables on desktop computers.

gavinray 1y ago
That's because .apk's are essentially ZIP archives -- they contain assets required for the executable as well as a manifest declaring permissions. That's a bit of a handwavy explanation, there's more to it than that, but that's the gist of why you can't "directly" run apps on Android.
- treyd 1y ago
  And you kinda still can, in a terminal emulator, it just can't behave like an app since it won't integrate with the system UI.
- black3r 1y ago
  The assets aren't extracted during installation though. The APK is copied as is, the executable files are extracted to a cache, but that can technically be done at runtime. More important parts of the installation process is configuring the default permission set for the application, creating its linux user and it's data directories. (In Android every app runs under its own linux user, and by default only has access to a specific data directory created for that app, to access other directories you need broader filesystem permissions). But this could technically still be done at runtime. The bigger problem requiring installation would be features where the OS needs to start the app up - notifications, or app's background processes. Although even there some kind of temporary installation at runtime could work...

Padlock4543 1y ago

It is. The belief that all mobile devices are this locked down is Apple's greatest trick. I don't even think it is premeditated by the Company's leadership. But the users and ecosystem evolved in a way where this level of fandom and narrative are great for them.

dmos62 1y ago
Apple locks down their devices, gaming consoles are locked down, most IOT and home appliance devices are locked down: even "modular" devices like PCs (and their components) lock down their firmware and close-source their drivers. Heck, most of publicly-funded software is closed-source. Entire industries are based on software that's shitty and closed-source (see Adobe or Archicad). In each of these cases opening up the relevant systems or diverting license fees to investments into open alternatives would be a dramatic improvement to status quo, and not only for the geeks, but for the average person. But, we've not yet realised that; what we're currently doing is what makes most sense to us. Oh well.

netfortius 1y ago

How I wish that was the case! Ever since having moved from the US to the EU, I find myself having to go to Aurora Store more than 50% of the time, as A LOT of apps with country locality are not available in downloadable apk format, from any of the major apk distribution sites or - when rarely found - they are a few versions behind, and can't be run.