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Easy way to install apk files using Android SDK for Mac

June 23rd, 2010 Leave a comment Go to comments

Let’s create a simple Automator app to make installing apk files a little easier.

  • Download the Android SDK for Mac and extract it to an Android folder in your home directory.
  • Launch Automator and create a new application.
  • Add an action “Run Shell Script” with a sh shell.
  • Paste this command: ~/Android/android-sdk-mac/platform-tools/adb install -r “$1″
  • Add another two actions shown below if you want a feedback from the script.
  • Save the application to the Applications folder.
  • Associate apk files with your new application.

Now you can install Android apps by double clicking on apk files.

Download: Automator App.

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  • Jay

    I get the same error… I have open with selected properly…

  • Jay

    Tried this with your downloaded file as well… keep getting the same error that the script is not valid….

    honestly, I had the same error before your script when going through the SDK directly. Can not figure out why the apk, which is recognized, fails to be available to install. I get a welcome message error.

  • Dfsdw

    Yeah this bs crap doesn’t work.

  • http://munkychop.myopenid.com/ munkychop

    Worked perfectly for me, thanks!
    I recreated the script within the app to match my environment, so maybe that is what others need to do if having issues. 

  • Androidian

    Found the solution: change the curly quotation marks (“$1″) with typewriter quotation marks! (“$1″)

  • http://twitter.com/AustinKargl Austin Kargl

    Run Script Shell Failed – 1 Error
         can’t find ” to install (1)

    What does this mean?
    I have the typewriter quotes in there, and I am entering the corresponding action. What is happening?

  • http://www.mactonweb.com web development bangalore

    The program is used in the same wayregardless of operating system. … will first need to upload the .apk file to the /data/app/ directory in the emulator using the adb tool: …

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    Of course.. Really this is great opportunity to us.. We can download this easily through this files.. Such a fantastic way.. thanks for sharing this information with us..
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  • Mike

    did all the above, but do I need JDK or anythin’ else?? My OS X ver. is 10.5.8 the application starts then stops and does nothing, is there a way to debug the application??

    quick question: if I run this in a Terminal the -> $1 parameter is the *.apk file?? how can I run this in the Terminal to see how is it working??

    Thank you for shaing…

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  • Jamie Hutber

    So i have manually tried to install the app as the Application won’t.

    adb runs perfectly so i know my paths are correct. I wonder if i have to have the android emulator running at the time?

    /Applications/android-sdk-mac_x86/platform-tools/adb install -r /Applications/android-sdk-mac_x86/a.apk
    error: device not found

    • Jessica

      Did you ever find a fix?  I am having the same problems others have posted here.  Fixed the curly quotes, adb runs… anything else I can do?   Even tried installing the apk via the emulator UI, but the emulator doesn’t have an SD card for installation obviously.

      • http://www.droidsector.com/ Jeff

        Type “adb devices” to see if your phone is connected. If you see “device not found” error, you probably need to install drivers. Also enable “USB debugging” option in phone settings (Application > Development).

        More details: http://developer.android.com/guide/developing/device.html

        • Jessica

          Thank you… I don’t currently have a device, I want to explore the app UI on the emulator alone.  Do I need to install drivers for the device emulator I selected? (I picked a random HTC device.)

          • http://www.droidsector.com/ Jeff

            No, but sometimes it disconnects. Typing “adb kill-server” and “adb start-servers” might help to restore connection to the emulator. 

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    Very, very useful, thanks a lot!!

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  • Mojolive

    Great . works perfect.. Can someone tell me how to modify  this script so that it will install multipul apk files?  Please.. thanks.. 

    great if someone would write the code.. :)  

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    Great post on installing apk files using Android SDK for Mac..
    I was not aware of this installation process. Thanks for letting me know. 

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