Short answer
Use adb install-multiple after extracting the APKM or APKS file. The command must include base.apk and every required split APK for your device.
Do not install only base.apk when split APK files are present. Missing splits are one of the most common Android install failures.
APKM/APKS to ADB workflow
| Step | What to do | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Extract the container and list APK parts. | APKM to APK or APKS to APK |
| 2 | Find base.apk and required config splits. | Split APK Extractor |
| 3 | Connect the Android device with USB debugging enabled. | Android developer options |
| 4 | Install all APK parts together. | adb install-multiple |
Example ADB command
After extraction, keep all APK files in one folder. Then run a command like this from that folder:
adb install-multiple "base.apk" "split_config.arm64_v8a.apk" "split_config.en.apk" "split_config.xxhdpi.apk"The exact split names vary by app and device. Include the architecture, language, density and feature splits required by the package.
Which splits do you need?
| Split type | Example | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Base APK | base.apk | Main app package and manifest. |
| Architecture | split_config.arm64_v8a.apk | Native libraries for the device CPU. |
| Language | split_config.en.apk | Localized text and assets. |
| Density | split_config.xxhdpi.apk | Screen-density resources. |
| Feature module | feature_name.apk | Optional or dynamic app features. |
Common ADB errors
| Error | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
INSTALL_FAILED_MISSING_SPLIT | A required split APK was not included. | Extract again and install the complete required set. |
INSTALL_FAILED_UPDATE_INCOMPATIBLE | Signature conflict with the installed app. | Use the same trusted source or remove the old app only if data loss is acceptable. |
INSTALL_FAILED_OLDER_SDK | The device Android version is too old. | Check min SDK with APK Analyzer. |
| Device not found | ADB connection or authorization is not ready. | Run adb devices and accept the phone prompt. |
APKM vs APKS with ADB
ADB does not care whether the original container was APKM or APKS after extraction. What matters is the final set of APK files. Install the base APK and matching splits together as one package session.
FAQ
Can ADB install APKM directly? No. Extract APKM first, then install the APK files with adb install-multiple.
Can ADB install APKS directly? Not as a container. Extract APKS first.
Why does base.apk fail? The package probably depends on split APK files that were not installed.