What is the differences between `export signed` and `unsigned` .apk file?

android eclipse-adt android-install-apk
Nam G VU picture Nam G VU · Aug 23, 2013 · Viewed 47.6k times · Source

I'm building .apk file for my Android application using Android tools - Export... as guided here

My question is what are signed and unsigned .apk file?

How can we use usngined .apk file? (I tried to export an unsigned one but I cannot install it for my Galaxy Nexus)

Answer

chrylis -cautiouslyoptimistic- picture chrylis -cautiouslyoptimistic- · Aug 23, 2013

Signing Android apps is just like signing any other application; it provides the user with some level of assurance that the code hasn't been tampered with since you released it.

Unsigned apps should be usable generally but do require lowering the security level. A quick Google search found a number of articles that explained that all you have to do is check the Unknown Sources box in Settings->Security.

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