---
title: How do I install an internal Android app 
description: Install an internal Android app on your device using an APK file provided by the Buildfire team.
---

[Skip to content](https://help.buildfire.com/how-do-i-install-an-internal-android-app#main-content)

[![buildfire](https://help.buildfire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/bf-wordmark-black.png?width=150&height=35&name=bf-wordmark-black.png)](https://help.buildfire.com?hsLang=en-us)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

- [Log In](https://app.buildfire.com/login)

[Log In](https://app.buildfire.com/login)

 How can we help you?

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

1. [Buildfire Help Docs](https://help.buildfire.com/?hsLang=en-us)
2. [Publish Your App](https://help.buildfire.com/publish-your-app?hsLang=en-us)
3. [Google/Android](https://help.buildfire.com/publish-your-app?hsLang=en-us#google-android)

# How do I install an internal Android app

## Install an internal Android app on your device using an APK file provided by the Buildfire team.

Internal Android apps are distributed as APK files and can be installed directly on a device without going through the Google Play Store. This is commonly used for internal testing, or QA. Once installed, the app behaves like any other Android app on your phone.

---

### **Requirements**

- An Android device
- An APK file provided by the Buildfire support team
- Access to a cloud storage service (for example, Google Drive)

---

### **How to install an internal Android app**

1. Request the APK file from the Buildfire support team
2. Upload the APK file to a cloud storage service such as Google Drive
3. Open the cloud storage link on your Android device
4. Download the APK file to your phone
5. When prompted with a security warning, allow installation from this source
6. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation
7. Open the app from your device and start using it like any other app

---

### **Pro tips**

- Android may phrase the permission as “Allow from this source” or “Install unknown apps,” depending on the device and OS version
- You can disable the permission again after installation for added security
- Internal APKs are ideal for testing and review, but should not be used for public distribution

- [Buildfire Control Panel](https://help.buildfire.com/buildfire-control-panel?hsLang=en-us#main-content)

    - [Navigating the Control Panel](https://help.buildfire.com/buildfire-control-panel?hsLang=en-us#navigating-the-control-panel)
    - [Global Tools](https://help.buildfire.com/buildfire-control-panel?hsLang=en-us#global-tools)
    - [Terms & Policies](https://help.buildfire.com/buildfire-control-panel?hsLang=en-us#terms-policies)
- [Build Your App](https://help.buildfire.com/build-your-app?hsLang=en-us#main-content)

    - [Global Settings](https://help.buildfire.com/build-your-app?hsLang=en-us#global-settings)
    - [Building Your App's Navigation](https://help.buildfire.com/build-your-app?hsLang=en-us#building-your-apps-navigation)
    - [Building Your Login Flow](https://help.buildfire.com/build-your-app?hsLang=en-us#building-your-login-flow)
    - [Building a PWA](https://help.buildfire.com/build-your-app?hsLang=en-us#building-a-pwa)
- [Add Functionality To Your App](https://help.buildfire.com/add-functionality-to-your-app?hsLang=en-us#main-content)

    - [Plugins to drive engagement & community](https://help.buildfire.com/add-functionality-to-your-app?hsLang=en-us#plugins-to-drive-engagement-community)
    - [Plugins to drive monetization](https://help.buildfire.com/add-functionality-to-your-app?hsLang=en-us#plugins-to-drive-monetization)
    - [Plugins to run operations & workflows](https://help.buildfire.com/add-functionality-to-your-app?hsLang=en-us#plugins-to-run-operations-workflows)
    - [Plugins to show content & media](https://help.buildfire.com/add-functionality-to-your-app?hsLang=en-us#plugins-to-show-content-media)
- [Make Money With Your App](https://help.buildfire.com/make-money-with-your-app?hsLang=en-us#main-content)

    - [Overview](https://help.buildfire.com/make-money-with-your-app?hsLang=en-us#overview)
    - [Apple/iOS](https://help.buildfire.com/make-money-with-your-app?hsLang=en-us#apple-ios)
    - [Google/Android](https://help.buildfire.com/make-money-with-your-app?hsLang=en-us#google-android)
- [Publish Your App](https://help.buildfire.com/publish-your-app?hsLang=en-us#main-content)

    - [Overview](https://help.buildfire.com/publish-your-app?hsLang=en-us#overview)
    - [Apple/iOS](https://help.buildfire.com/publish-your-app?hsLang=en-us#apple-ios)
    - [Google/Android](https://help.buildfire.com/publish-your-app?hsLang=en-us#google-android)
- [Manage Your App](https://help.buildfire.com/manage-your-app?hsLang=en-us#main-content)

    - [Managing Your App’s Users](https://help.buildfire.com/manage-your-app?hsLang=en-us#managing-your-apps-users)
    - [Push Notifications](https://help.buildfire.com/manage-your-app?hsLang=en-us#push-notifications)
    - [Analytics](https://help.buildfire.com/manage-your-app?hsLang=en-us#analytics)
- [Connect External Partners](https://help.buildfire.com/connect-external-partners?hsLang=en-us#main-content)

    - [Google/Android](https://help.buildfire.com/connect-external-partners?hsLang=en-us#google-android)
    - [Apple/iOS](https://help.buildfire.com/connect-external-partners?hsLang=en-us#apple-ios)
    - [Zapier](https://help.buildfire.com/connect-external-partners?hsLang=en-us#zapier)
    - [Meta](https://help.buildfire.com/connect-external-partners?hsLang=en-us#meta)
    - [Segment](https://help.buildfire.com/connect-external-partners?hsLang=en-us#segment)

[![Group 4578 (1)](https://help.buildfire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%204578%20(1).png?width=140&height=33&name=Group%204578%20(1).png "Group 4578 (1)")](https://buildfire.com/)

Copyright © 2026, Buildfire