Android application deployment [duplicate]

Question

How can I install an application without any developer tools (Eclipse, Android SDK tools)?

I've compiled and created an .apk file. Now I am gonna send this apk file to my friend.

He is not an Android developer; he doesn't know how to use Eclipse or the SDK. And I don't want to publish my application to android market.

Is there a way to launch the application on a real device without publishing it or having access to a machine with the SDK?

Answer 1

You can deploy the .apk file on your local server(apache or jboss) with a static IP to make the file available for download. Now just open the download link of the apk file in your mobile browser. The device will automatically start the installation after the download completes.

Answer 2

The way I usually do this is:

1. Plug in my USB cable to my PC and mount my SD card on my computer
2. Get the APK file somewhere on my SD card on the phone
3. Unmount the SD card on my PC, allowing the phone to see the SD card contents again
4. Use Astro File Manager or some similar app to browse to that file on the SD card and select it, which will prompt you if you want to install the app on your phone.