Which APK should I download? arm64-v8a, armeabi-v7a and x86 explained
Some apps are published as several files for different processors. How to find out which one your phone needs.
Apps that contain native code are often published as separate files for each processor type (the "ABI"). A file built for the wrong processor will not install, or will refuse to start.
The short answer
Choose 64-bit ARM (arm64-v8a). Almost every Android phone and tablet sold since 2017 uses it.
The options
- 64-bit ARM (arm64-v8a): modern phones and tablets.
- 32-bit ARM (armeabi-v7a): older or low-end phones, Android TV boxes, phones that run a 32-bit Android on a 64-bit chip.
- x86 64-bit (x86_64): emulators, Chromebooks, Android on a PC.
- x86 32-bit (x86): old emulators and a few old Intel tablets.
- Universal: works everywhere; when an app is published as a single file, you will just see one download button.
How to check your phone
Install a device-information app such as CPU Info or Treble Info and look for Supported ABIs or Instruction sets. The first entry in the list is the one to choose.
If you have a computer with ADB, run adb shell getprop ro.product.cpu.abi.
Picked the wrong one?
Android shows App not installed or the app closes immediately. Nothing is damaged: download the other file and install it.