Instructions for scanning APK files for viruses to ensure safety before installation

For Android users, when they need to install an application that is not available on Google Play Store or is not available in the area where they live, the simplest way is to download the APK file to their device and install it. Similar to the .exe file on the Windows operating system, the APK file is used to install software on Android systems.

However, since APK files can sometimes come from unknown, floating sources on the internet (and of course not strictly censored like on the Play Store), the risk of them being attached with viruses and malicious code that can harm your device is entirely possible. For that reason, it is advisable to scan the APK file for viruses before installing it on the system, and below are a few great applications that can help you do that.

Metadefender

Metadefender allows you to upload an APK file so that it can be scanned by various antivirus engines. For APK files in compressed format, they will be automatically extracted to perform a scan on each individual file inside.

However, a full scan of the unextracted APK files will also be performed. Users just need to drag and drop their files into the scanner, and a report will be compiled in just a few seconds.

You can access the Metadefender service on your PC, and you can also scan files directly from your Android phone. While there is no dedicated Metadefender mobile app, you can still use the tool through your mobile browser.

Not only APK files, Metadefender can be used to scan IP addresses, URLs, files, and more.

2. VirusTotal

VirusTotal is another great solution that you can try. This tool is capable of comprehensively analyzing APK files and helps detect almost all types of viruses and malware that are common on the internet today.

VirusTotal is easy to use: Just upload your files and make sure they're error-free. You can also copy-paste URLs into VirusTotal, or use the search function to check IP addresses, domains, or file hashes.

One advantage VirusTotal has over Metadefender is that the tool has a dedicated mobile app version, which can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store .

Visit Virustotal.com to start scanning the APK file you suspect.