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Convert Your Favorite Android Apps into Chrome Apps

Sep 26, 2014 08:07 PM
Oct 4, 2014 12:15 AM
Android logo holding a Chrome icon.

With the release of the ARChon Runtime, many Android apps can now be run within the Chrome web browser. Minor changes must be made to existing Android APK files before they can be installed on Chrome, so the process isn't exactly as easy as pasting an Android app into a folder on your computer.

But developer Brandon Pearse wants to make the transition from Android to Chrome as easy as possible. His new app, Chrome APK Packager, allows you to select apps that are already installed on your Android device, then convert them to Chrome-compatible files at the press of a button. The app does not require root or any special permissions, so anyone can join in on the fun.

Requirements

Install Chrome APK Packager

Update

Chrome APK Packager was removed from the link below as it made its way to the Play Store, then was removed for naming rights. You can now find it as ARChone Packager on the Play Store.

Grab and install the app, then head to Step 2.

End Update

Pearse's app hasn't made its way onto the Google Play Store just yet, so you'll need to download it separately. From your Android device, head to this link to grab the installer file.

Press OK on any file type warning message that may appear, then tap the Download Complete notification to begin.

Convert Your Favorite Android Apps into Chrome Apps
Convert Your Favorite Android Apps into Chrome Apps
Convert Your Favorite Android Apps into Chrome Apps
Convert Your Favorite Android Apps into Chrome Apps

Press Install on the next screen, and when that's finished, tap Open.

Chrome APK Package installation prompt with USB access permissions.
Chrome APK Packager app installation confirmation screen.
Chrome APK Package installation prompt with USB access permissions.
Chrome APK Packager app installation confirmation screen.

Convert Android Apps to Chrome Apps

Chrome APK Packager has a very simple interface. It displays a list of all your user-installed apps, and all you have to do is select the one you'd like to convert.

APK selection interface showing various app options for package generation.
Chrome APK Package Selection Screen
APK selection interface showing various app options for package generation.
Chrome APK Package Selection Screen

Next, tap the Generate Chrome APK button at the bottom of the screen, then wait a few seconds while the app works its magic. When it's ready, you'll see a toast message that says Finished, followed by a second toast message informing you of the new file's storage location.

Chrome APK Packager interface with options for selecting APKs and a progress alert.
Screenshot of a mobile app interface displaying options for creating an APK package, with selected items for customization and a "Generate Chrome APK" button at the bottom.
Chrome APK package options screen with various app selections listed.
Chrome APK Packager interface with options for selecting APKs and a progress alert.
Screenshot of a mobile app interface displaying options for creating an APK package, with selected items for customization and a "Generate Chrome APK" button at the bottom.
Chrome APK package options screen with various app selections listed.

The Chrome-compatible version of this app can be found on your device's internal storage in a folder named ChromeAPKS. Simply copy this file over to your computer, then load the app in Chrome using the steps outlined at this tutorial.

Not all apps will fully function on Chrome, as some require specific hardware and a few software libraries are not present on your computer. What apps have you successfully ported to Chrome? Let us know in the comments section below, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

The next big software update for iPhone is coming sometime in April and will include a Food section in Apple News+, an easy-to-miss new Ambient Music app, Priority Notifications thanks to Apple Intelligence, and updates to apps like Mail, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari. See what else is coming to your iPhone with the iOS 18.4 update.

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