In the realm of Android, individuals inclined towards sideloading apps through direct APK files often find themselves scouring websites like APKMirror. These platforms host APK files sourced from the Google Play Store.
In 2018, Google introduced the Android App Bundle (AAB) format, allowing app developers to create large AAB files containing binaries for multiple architectures and various screen assets. Google Play Store then selectively retrieves necessary components for users to download apps (a practice enforced since 2021).
When users download apps directly from the Play Store, they avoid the need to download the entire APK file; only essential components are fetched. However, sideloading necessitates downloading the entire APK (coined “Fat APK” jokingly) despite its bulkiness, ensuring compatibility across different devices.
Recently, changes have occurred where the Play Store no longer generates Fat APKs from AABs, as such redundant for direct downloads. Only AAB files remain, which cannot be directly installed by the Android operating system’s Package Installer, unlike APK files.
Nonetheless, APKMirror has developed installers for these bundles, requiring an added step for users interested in sideloading from APKMirror: downloading the APKMirror Installer beforehand.
Source: 9to5google
TLDR: Google has ceased creating Fat APKs from AABs, shifting focus to AAB files only, impacting the sideloading process and necessitating an additional step for users through APKMirror Installer.
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