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APK ZIP
File conversion

Convert APK to ZIP

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Jun 19, 2026
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Is it possible to convert APK to ZIP?
Yes - APK converts to ZIP.

Copy app.apk, rename it to app.zip, and open it with any archive manager; no conversion tool is needed. The file content is entirely unchanged - only the name differs.

1 programs
Also to ZIP: KGL · IMAZINGAPP · LOCKER

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Sep 2026

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Why convert APK to ZIP?

An APK is a ZIP-based package whose first bytes are the standard ZIP magic bytes PK. People rename to .zip to inspect an app's internal files - such as AndroidManifest.xml or classes.dex - before installing, or to extract assets like icons from the res/ folder.

How to convert APK to ZIP

7-Zip FREE

Right-click the .apk file and choose 7-Zip > Open archive - no rename needed. Browse or extract any file inside directly.

Windows Explorer FREE

Rename the .apk to .zip, then double-click to open it as an archive in Windows Explorer. If the extension is hidden, uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types" in Folder Options.

WinRAR APP

Open WinRAR, navigate to the .apk file, and open it directly as an archive - WinRAR recognises the ZIP structure without renaming.

The Unarchiver FREE

Rename the .apk to .zip, then open the renamed file with The Unarchiver to extract its contents.

Programs that convert APK

Zip2Apk

About these formats

.APK Android Package

An APK file is the installation package for an Android app. On a phone you tap the file, allow "install unknown apps" for the app you opened it from, then confirm. APK cannot be converted…

Open .APK details →
.ZIP ZIP Archive

A ZIP file is a compressed archive that stores one or more files in a single smaller package. On Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android you can open it without installing anything - just…

Open .ZIP details →

Quality & what to watch

  • The file size is identical after renaming - nothing is recompressed or modified.
  • AndroidManifest.xml inside the APK is binary-encoded, not plain text; a dedicated tool or online decoder is needed to read it.
  • Extracting and repacking the files breaks the META-INF/ signature, and Android will refuse to install the modified result.

Frequently asked questions

Does renaming the extension change anything inside the file?
No. Only the file name changes; every byte inside is untouched.
Can I repack the extracted files into a working APK?
Not without re-signing. Android verifies the cryptographic signature in META-INF/; any modification invalidates it and the install is refused.
Why would I open an APK as a ZIP?
To inspect its contents before installing - check declared permissions in AndroidManifest.xml, confirm classes.dex is present, or extract assets like icons.
Will any archive manager open a renamed APK?
Yes, as long as it supports ZIP - tools like 7-Zip and WinRAR recognise the format by its internal signature, not just the extension.