Beginner 4 min read Updated: 2026-08-30

How to Extract & Backup Installed APKs from Android Using ADB

Extract the APK installer file of any installed app or game from your phone directly to your computer without third-party extraction apps.

Prerequisites & Requirements

  • Target Android device connected via ADB

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Find the Package Identifier

Search for the package name of your application:

adb shell pm list packages | grep -i spotify
2

Query the APK File Path on Device Storage

Locate where Android has stored the base APK:

adb shell pm path com.spotify.music
3

Pull the APK File to Your Computer

Download the APK directly to your computer:

adb pull /data/app/~~xyz/com.spotify.music-1/base.apk ./Spotify.apk