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
- Windows/Linux: Latest 64-Bit Version of Chrome
- Mac OS X: Latest Version of Chrome Canary
- ARChon Runtime Installed
- Unknown Sources enabled on your Android device
Step 1: 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.
Press Install on the next screen, and when that’s finished, tap Open.
Step 2: 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.
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.
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.
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