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SAI: Split APKs Installer

To install XAPK, APKS, and APKM files on Android, you must use a dedicated bundle utility like Split APKs Installer (SAI) because Android's stock installer only accepts standard single APK packages. These split container formats bundle base code, CPU architectures, assets, and language files together, requiring an installer that submits all components to the system package manager at once.

## Key takeaways
- Standard Android package installers fail when opening XAPK, APKS, or APKM files directly because they can only process single `.apk` packages.
- Split APKs Installer (SAI) is an open-source, rootless application that unpacks and installs multi-part app bundles on Android 5.0 and above.
- Unencrypted `.apkm` and `.xapk` files can be installed directly through SAI, while encrypted `.apkm` files require the APKMirror Installer app.
- XAPK files with game assets can also be installed manually by renaming the file extension to `.zip`, extracting the `.obb` folder to `Internal Storage/Android/obb/`, and running the base APK.
- Xiaomi devices running MIUI or HyperOS require disabling "MIUI Optimization" or switching SAI to Shizuku mode to avoid system installer blocks.

---

## Method comparison for split APK bundles

Before starting, choose the installation approach that fits your file format and device setup.

| Installation Method | Supported Formats | Root Required? | Best For |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Split APKs Installer (SAI) | `.xapk`, `.apks`, unencrypted `.apkm` | No | Most users and non-encrypted bundles |
| APKMirror Installer | Encrypted `.apkm`, `.apks`, `.apk` | No | APKMirror encrypted bundle downloads |
| Manual ZIP Extraction | `.xapk` (with OBB data) | No | Users avoiding third-party installer apps |

---

## Prerequisites before installation

You must grant your file manager or installer app permission to sideload packages before attempting installation.

1. Open your phone's **Settings** app.
2. Navigate to **Apps** > **Special app access** > **Install unknown apps**.
3. Select the app you will use to locate or install files (such as SAI or your file manager).
4. Toggle on **Allow from this source**.

> [!NOTE]
> Granting "Install unknown apps" permission is required by Android security policies so the installer can pass extracted packages to the system installer API.

---

## How to install split files using Split APKs Installer (SAI)

[Split APKs Installer (SAI)](https://github.com/Aefyr/SAI) is an open-source tool published under the GPL-3.0 license by developer Aefyr. SAI version 4.5 runs on Android 5.0 (API Level 21) or higher and supports installing split APK bundles using standard Android APIs, Shizuku, or Root access.

```image
id: sai-file-picker-screen
alt: SAI app main screen showing the Install Files button and storage browser prompt
caption: Select your downloaded XAPK, APKS, or APKM file using SAI's built-in file picker.
```

1. Download and open **Split APKs Installer (SAI)** on your device.
2. Tap the **Install Files** button at the bottom of the main screen.
3. Select either **Internal File Picker** or **System File Picker** based on your file manager preference.
4. Browse your device storage and select the downloaded `.xapk`, `.apks`, or unencrypted `.apkm` file.
5. Review the app split configuration options, such as base APK, CPU architecture like `arm64-v8a`, screen DPI, and language packs.
6. Tap **Select** or **Install** to prompt SAI to unpack the files.
7. Confirm the installation when the system package installer dialog appears on screen.

> [!TIP]
> SAI version 4.3 and newer natively supports opening `.apk` files and processing unencrypted `.apkm` bundles without requiring file conversion.

---

## How to install XAPK files manually via ZIP extraction

If an `.xapk` file contains large game data assets, you can extract and position the files manually without relying on an automated bundle installer.

```image
id: obb-folder-extraction-path
alt: File manager displaying the path Internal Storage/Android/obb with extracted game asset folders
caption: Place the extracted OBB folder into Internal Storage/Android/obb/ before running the base APK.
```

1. Open your Android file manager and locate the downloaded `.xapk` file.
2. Rename the file extension from `.xapk` to `.zip`.
3. Extract the contents of the `.zip` archive to a folder on your local storage.
4. Locate the inner folder containing the `.obb` file (usually named `com.publisher.gamename`).
5. Move this entire folder to `Internal Storage/Android/obb/`.
6. Return to the extracted archive folder and tap the base `.apk` file to install it using the stock package installer.

---

## How to install encrypted APKM files

While SAI handles unencrypted `.apkm` packages, encrypted `.apkm` files generated by APKMirror require the official [APKMirror Installer companion app](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apkmirror.helper.prod). APKMirror Installer version 2.0.3 features a Material 3 UI and requires Android 6.0 or higher.

1. Install **APKMirror Installer** from the Play Store or official APKMirror downloads.
2. Open the app and grant storage browse permissions when prompted.
3. Tap **Browse Files** and locate your `.apkm` bundle.
4. Tap **Install app** to let APKMirror Installer decode and parse the bundle configuration.
5. Tap **Watch ad and install app** or use a subscription option if prompted by the proprietary installer interface.
6. Confirm the system package installation prompt to complete setup.

---

## Fixing installation errors on Xiaomi, MIUI, and HyperOS

Xiaomi devices running MIUI or HyperOS enforce strict framework restrictions that cause standard Android split-APK installation APIs to fail or throw "App not installed" errors.

```image
id: miui-optimization-developer-options
alt: Developer options screen on a Xiaomi device showing the MIUI Optimization toggle
caption: Disable MIUI Optimization in Developer Options or enable Shizuku mode inside SAI to bypass Xiaomi package restrictions.
```

1. Open **Settings** > **About phone** and tap **OS version** or **Build number** seven times to enable Developer Options.
2. Navigate to **Settings** > **Additional settings** > **Developer options**.
3. Scroll to the bottom and turn off **MIUI Optimization**.
4. If the toggle is missing on newer HyperOS builds, tap **Reset to default values** at the bottom of Developer Options several times until the switch appears.
5. Alternatively, open **SAI Settings**, tap **Installer options**, and switch the installation mode to **Shizuku** to install split bundles without modifying system optimization switches.

> [!WARNING]
> Disabling MIUI Optimization resets specific system app permissions, scaling settings, and notification UI preferences across your device.

---

## Why can't Android natively install XAPK files?

Android's default system installer cannot natively open XAPK, APKS, or APKM files because it only accepts single `.apk` binaries. Container formats are compressed ZIP archives containing multiple split APKs (for screen densities, CPU architectures, and languages) or OBB assets, requiring specialized utilities like SAI to unpack and pass all components to Android's `PackageInstaller` API simultaneously.

---

## FAQ

### What is the difference between APK, XAPK, APKS, and APKM files?
An APK is a standard single package installer file. XAPK is a container bundling split APKs and game OBB data, APKS is a split bundle format exported by tools like Google's [bundletool](https://leanstart.app/how-to-install-apks/) or SAI, and APKM is APKMirror's proprietary split bundle format.

### How do I fix "App not installed" error when installing split APKs in SAI?
This error typically occurs when an older version of the app exists on your device signed with a different key. Uninstall the existing version of the app completely, verify that your device has sufficient free storage space, and attempt the installation again through SAI.

### Can I install XAPK files manually without using an installer app?
Yes, according to tutorials on manual extraction, you can rename the `.xapk` extension to `.zip`, extract the archive, place the enclosed OBB folder into `Internal Storage/Android/obb/`, and install the base `.apk` file manually.

### Why does SAI fail to install split APKs on Xiaomi devices?
Xiaomi's custom system framework blocks Android's standard split-package installation API. You must disable "MIUI Optimization" in Developer Options or configure SAI to use Shizuku mode to route installation requests around Xiaomi framework blocks.

---

To safely manage and install your split Android packages, download the latest release of Split APKs Installer (SAI) from its [official GitHub repository](https://github.com/Aefyr/SAI) and ensure your device permissions are configured before opening your first bundle.

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