Distributing "Free" Android App as .apk file directly

Question

I have already published android app on Google Play. It is desired to distribute the application even offline as .apk file directly. My app is completely free and we wish it should spread to as many people.

I am not sure what could be advantages and disadvantages of providing .apk file?

Questions are :

1. Will Google play count direct .apk installation as a download, when connected to internet ?
2. Will users with direct .apk installation get any update published later ?

Answer 1

To answer your questions:

1. Yes, you will get a download prompt if you click on an .apk in Android. When you go to open the completed download, it will offer it up for install (see caveats below)
2. If you offer your .apk up for direct download outside of Google Play you get no "update checking" -- you have to do that yourself. Not entirely sure what happens if the .apk is available in the play store and via direct download.

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It is easier to talk about the disadvantages for the approach of distributing the .apk yourself.

1. You have to do all the tracking yourself, if you publish to the play store you get some statistics
2. Similarly, you have to do all "update checking" on your own (either via writing it in your app or some other way.)
3. No secure way of distributing your application. The built in Android browser does not support downloads over HTTPS streams that require authentication **
4. Easier for users to get the source code of your app. They can download the .apk from your site, open it in 7zip (or similar) and have at the underlying class files. Whether or not this is a concern is really for you to decide.

The most important reason

Your users will have to check "Allow installation of packages from unknown sources". Your average person might not know how to do this, and may be hesitant to do so. So, it may limit your ability to gain a a wide market share.

So, in summary, ask yourself if not being in Google Play/Android Market is really worth the hassle that comes for both you and your users.

** Not sure if this is true with Chrome on Android -- it is certainly true with the older default browser