iPhone and Android phones run on completely different operating systems. iPhone runs on iOS while Android runs on Android. Both run on different runtime stacks, which means that the application for each is coded differently.
You won’t find any Android application in the App Store in iOS, all applications in the store are designed specifically for the iPhone.
With that said, there are ways you can install an Android application on your iPhone but you will need to use a platform such as TestFlight to do that.
We have a step-by-step guide on how you can download Android applications on your iPhone.
Can An APK Be Installed On iOS?
APK is a type of file created specifically for Android devices. Therefore, the file doesn’t work on iOS and it is impossible to download it onto the iPhone. The file functions differently than those on iOS.
While you can’t download APK files, you can download its equivalent for the iPhone which is IPA.
If you still want to download an APK file, the only way to do that is through jailbreaking your phone, which is something we don’t recommend.
However, if you find the IPA equivalent of the APK file, you can follow the steps mentioned below:
- Download the IPA file.
- You will need Cydia Impactor to access the file through your Apple account. So download that next.
- Connect your iPhone to a computer.
- Open the Cydia Impactor app on your iPhone.
- Paste the IPA file in Cydia Impactor and sign in to your Apple ID.
- The app should automatically start to download to your phone.
Since the iPhone cannot read APK files, your best bet is to find an IPA equivalent and follow the steps mentioned above to download the app to your iPhone.
Keep in mind that you may not be able to find IPA files for all apps.
In those cases, your only option would be to jailbreak your iPhone so you can download the app onto it.
Can You Install Third-Party Apps On An iPhone?
There are two ways to download third-party apps to your iPhone, you can either Jailbreak the phone or through TestFlight.
Jailbreaking
Jailbreaking is not recommended since Apple does not support it. But the process gives you complete access to the full potential of the phone since you have a lot more freedom.
You essentially pass the lockset in place by Apple and can do as you please with the phone. However, we won’t get into how to jailbreak your iPhone since it is illegal.
TestFlight
Installing TestFlight is easy, you can do so from the App Store after you’ve searched for it.
Since the app is available in Apple’s official store, you can use it without any repercussion from Apple. The app is typically used by developers for beta app testing before they launch them.
But it is available for anyone to download and that too for free.
Even with TestFlight, you can’t just download any third-party app, you need to be invited with a link to the app by the developers.
Once you have that, you can then download and use the app and any update from that point. You can also find an open beta to third-party applications on Reddit and other platforms.
How To Convert Android Apps To iPhone Apps?
iPhone users can’t really make Android apps compatible with iOS through conversion. You need the complete app code that the developer of the app would have to do that.
But there are tools out there for developers to convert Android apps for iOS.
These tools do most of the hard work, so you don’t need to know the technicalities of the conversion.
One popular tool is MechDome. All you have to do is:
- Download MechDome.
- Upload your Android APK to the platform in one of the compatible file formats mentioned.
- You have the option to select between creating an iOS app for a real device or a simulator. Pick whichever option you want.
- The platform will work to convert the app and make it compatible with iOS.
- You can then download the app on iOS and even look to distribute it.
But keep in mind that app developers have this option. Normal users won’t have access to the files needed for the conversion and therefore, cannot convert an Android app to an iOS app.
Are There Any Risks With Downloading Third-Party Apps On An iPhone?
Third-party apps which are not available on the Apple Store can pose a threat to you and your phone.
Apple has strict regulations set for applications before it allows them to be showcased and downloaded from its App Store.
The third-party application you download may not abide by these regulations which put your phone at risk. Your phone can be a target of ransomware, malicious codes, and adware.
Safety concerns can also extend to your personal information. Sensitive info such as device information, email addresses, and phone numbers may be extracted through these apps.
Therefore, if you decide to download third-party apps, make sure it is from a source you can trust or you may face a lot of issues.
Final Thoughts
Downloading third-party and Android apps to your iPhone comes with its own set of concerns.
Before you venture off to do that, make sure you are fully aware of the possibilities that your phone might be compromised when taking such a step.
But there are ways you can download apps not available in the App Store to your iPhone. The process is rather simple, and anyone that wants to can do it.
I’ve been working with technology in one way or the other all my life. After graduating from university, I worked as a sales consultant for Verizon for a few years. Now I am a technical support engineer by day and write articles on my own blog here in my spare time to help others if they have any issues with their devices.
