Download Android Apps directly to your PC

[Elimentals]

One of the biggest restrictions that we face as Android users is "device incompatibility" issues in the Market, even though the app in question may work perfectly on our device. For example, according to the Android Market, Plants Vs. Zombies is "incompatible" with my Galaxy Tab 10.1; however, when it was initially released to the Amazon Appstore (and before Popcap was bought by EA), I always played it on the Tab. Case in point: it isn't "incompatible" with the Tab 10.1, EA just chose to list it as such (no surprise there).

This type of thing happens far too often, be it due to device restrictions or regional discrepancies. Oftentimes, we try to pull the apk (of free apps) and host it for all users to try out, despite what the Market says. Now, thanks to a new Chrome extension called "APK Downloader," that process just became infinitely easier.

APK Downloader is a simple tool that allows you to pull any free apk (no pirating, folks) from the Android Web Market, even if it's listed as incompatible with your device or country. It's a bit more complicated than just installing an extension and going about your merry way, however, so make sure to read the following instructions before you install it to ensure it's something you're comfortable with trying.

With that out of the way, here is the step-by-step required to make APK Downloader work correctly (follow these instructions after installing the extension):

Disable SSL error warnings

• Right click on the Chrome shortcut and select "Properties"
• Select the "Shortcut" tab, and append [space]--ignore-certificate-errors at the end. It should look like this:
  C:\…\chrome.exe --ignore-certificate-errors
• Close Chrome and re-open it with the modified shortcut, then open the APK Downloader options page. If there is no warning box, then you successfully disabled SSL error warnings.
• You can use this app to easily find your device ID.
• Enter the email and password associated with your Market account.

...and that's pretty much it. You can now start using APK Downloader.

Source Androidpolice

I would just advise someone that use this not to do it unless you have 2 step authentication, at least its an option other than using an emulator to get the apps, and move them to your phone.

 

[CranialBlaze]

Nice one, that as the biggest pain on any market, droid or otherwise. Thats about the one thing symbian did rite.

Must say though, at least the market does not require special apps like iTunes or blacbkberry desrop manager, but for those without wifi they are quite handy.

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