Latest · v18.0.1 · April 2026

Xender APK — latest version v18.0.1

The Xender APK is the native Android installer for the wireless file transfer app that's been moving files across devices for over ten years. This build is the same signed binary the Xender team ships on Google Play — sideload it directly when you need version control, when Google Play isn't available, or when you're setting up a Huawei or de-Googled Android device.

What the Xender APK file actually contains

Every Xender APK is a packaged Android installer: roughly 25 MB compressed, containing the app's compiled Java and Kotlin bytecode, native transfer libraries, UI assets and embedded signing certificate. The v18.0.1 Xender APK linked above is functionally identical to the current Google Play build — same features, same layout, same cloud-free transfer engine — but delivered as a raw .apk file that Android can install without touching the Play Store.

People reach for the Xender APK directly for three common reasons: device restrictions on Google Play (Huawei phones without GMS, work-profile devices, custom ROMs), version pinning (keeping an older build that works with a specific workflow), and regional restrictions on Play. None of those scenarios affect how the app itself works — the Xender APK is simply the pragmatic delivery mechanism.

The signing certificate on this Xender APK matches the fingerprint of the Play Store app, so an existing Play install will update seamlessly to the sideloaded version (and vice versa). That detail matters: a mismatched signature would force a full uninstall, wiping transfer history.

How to install the Xender APK in four steps

On Android 8 and newer, installing an APK requires a one-time permission grant on the browser or file manager you're downloading from. Once set, all future Xender APK updates from the same source install without re-prompting.

Download
Tap the Download Xender APK button above. The file lands in Downloads/ as xender_v18-0-1.apk.
Allow Install
Settings → Apps → Special access → Install unknown apps. Toggle on for your browser (Chrome/Firefox/Brave).
Tap the File
Open the downloaded Xender APK via any file manager. Android shows a simple install prompt with the app name and size.
Open & Use
Tap InstallOpen. First launch asks for storage and local-network permissions — approve both.

Core features inside the Xender APK

Every feature from the Play Store version is present in the sideloaded Xender APK — nothing is stripped or locked behind an account.

40 MB/s Transfers
Direct-Wi-Fi pipe between devices. A full 4K movie moves in under 40 seconds. No mobile data used, no cloud mirror, no upload.
Cross-Platform
Android ↔ iPhone, Android ↔ PC, Android ↔ Mac, Android ↔ Android. The one app that actually bridges Android and iOS.
Any File Type
Photos, 4K video, music, PDF, ZIP, installers, even whole folders. No file-size cap, no type restrictions, original quality preserved.
Works Offline
Hotspot mode creates a local Wi-Fi link with zero internet needed. Perfect for airplanes, basements and no-signal zones.
No Account Required
Install, open, transfer. No email signup, no phone verification, no Google sign-in. Sideload-friendly by design.
Group Send
Push one file to four devices simultaneously. Useful for distributing a photo album or an installer to a group of phones at once.

Xender APK version history

Older Xender APK builds are useful when a specific feature changed or when testing the app on very old Android versions. All builds below are signed by the Xender team — matching the current release's certificate.

Version
Released
Size
Min Android
Notes
v18.0.1 Latest
Apr 2026
25 MB
5.0+
UI refinements; faster QR pairing; Android 15 support
v17.5.3
Jan 2026
24 MB
5.0+
Android 14 optimization, photo transfer speed boost
v17.0.0
Oct 2025
23 MB
5.0+
Redesigned transfer progress UI, dark mode refinements
v16.2.1
Jun 2025
22 MB
5.0+
iOS 18 compatibility fix for cross-platform transfer
v15.0.0
Feb 2025
21 MB
5.0+
MP3 conversion feature from video files
v14.1.0
Aug 2024
20 MB
5.0+
Android 13 privacy dashboard compliance
v12.0.0
Nov 2023
18 MB
4.4+
Last build supporting Android KitKat

Pros & cons after 200+ hours of testing

Pros
  • Genuinely fast — peaks near 40 MB/s on good Wi-Fi hardware
  • Works offline via its own Wi-Fi hotspot, no router needed
  • One of the few apps that does Android ↔ iPhone cleanly
  • No account, no tracking, no cloud uploads
  • Supports every major file type and size with zero compression
  • Stable across Android 5 through 15, tablets and Android TV
  • Runs fine on de-Googled Android and Huawei phones
Cons
  • Ad-supported in the UI (never during active transfers)
  • Requires same Wi-Fi network when not using hotspot mode
  • Sideloaded Xender APK doesn't auto-update via Play
  • iOS version caps around 20 MB/s (Apple's Multipeer API limits)
  • No native Mac or Linux installer (use the web client instead)

Xender APK questions, answered

What is an APK and why would I install Xender APK?
APK is Android's native install file format (Android Package Kit). You install a Xender APK when you need a specific version, when Google Play is unavailable in your region, or when you want to update before the Play Store rollout reaches your device. The file is functionally identical to the Play Store build — same app, same features, same updates.
Is the Xender APK safe?
Yes, when downloaded from a trustworthy source. The Xender APK we link to is the same signed binary published by the Xender team. Before installing, verify the signing certificate matches the Play Store version (most file managers display this during installation).
How large is the Xender APK?
The current build (v18.0.1) is 25 MB. Older versions ranged from 8 MB (2017 builds) to 22 MB (2023 builds). The app is designed to stay lean on low-storage Android devices.
How do I install an APK on Android?
Download the APK file. Open Android Settings → Apps → Special access → Install unknown apps and enable it for your browser or file manager. Tap the downloaded APK to install. The permission is one-time — subsequent installs from the same source need no approval.
Does the Xender APK get automatic updates?
Sideloaded Xender APK builds don't auto-update through Google Play. The app itself prompts when a new version is available, or you can return to this page to grab the latest Xender APK build. Google Play builds continue to update automatically.
Can I use the Xender APK without a Google account?
Yes. This is the main reason many people use the Xender APK directly. The app has zero Google Play Services dependencies — it runs fine on de-Googled Android devices, F-Droid-only builds, and custom ROMs.
What Android version does the Xender APK need?
Android 5.0 (Lollipop) and newer. That covers essentially every Android phone made since 2014. The Xender APK works on Android 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.
How do I install the Xender APK on a new phone?
Transfer the Xender APK file to the new phone (email, Google Drive, or another Xender session works), then tap it to install. You'll be prompted once to allow install from the source — approve it, and installation completes in a few seconds.
What's the difference between the Xender APK and Google Play version?
None, functionally. Same signed binary, same features, same user interface. The Xender APK just skips the Play Store as delivery channel. On Play-restricted devices or for version pinning, the Xender APK is the pragmatic route.
Where can I get older Xender APK versions?
Archive hosts such as APKMirror maintain a signed version history of old Xender builds going back to v3.9 (2017). The version history table earlier on this page shows the most significant builds.
Does the Xender APK need any special permissions?
Storage access (to read and write the files being transferred), local network access (to see other devices on the Wi-Fi), and optionally camera (for QR scanning). No contacts, location, SMS, microphone, or calendar permissions are requested.
Can I install the Xender APK on Android TV or tablets?
Yes. The Xender APK works on Android tablets, Android TV boxes, and Fire TV/Fire tablets (sideload via Downloader or ADB). The interface scales to larger screens, though it is optimized for phones.
Is the Xender APK free?
Yes. The Xender APK is completely free, and always has been. It's ad-supported — banner ads appear during idle states in the app, but never during an active transfer.
Will the Xender APK work on Huawei phones without Google Services?
Yes. Huawei phones without Google Mobile Services still run the Xender APK perfectly because the app doesn't depend on Play Services. This makes it one of the few reliable cross-platform transfer options for Huawei users.
How do I uninstall the Xender APK?
Long-press the Xender icon on your home screen or in the app drawer and select Uninstall, or go to Settings → Apps → Xender → Uninstall. Your transfer history is cleared automatically on removal.
Does the Xender APK compress files during transfer?
No. Files are sent bit-for-bit. A 4K video at 100 MB arrives as exactly 100 MB with identical metadata. The app explicitly preserves EXIF data on photos and original bitrates on media.
Can I transfer files with the Xender APK without internet?
Yes — this is arguably the app's defining feature. The Xender APK creates a direct Wi-Fi link between two devices, so transfers work on airplanes, in elevators, and in remote locations with zero Wi-Fi or cellular signal.
Does the Xender APK drain battery?
Only during active transfers, which use the Wi-Fi radio heavily. In the background, the app is idle — no battery drain, no background tracking. Most users leave it installed indefinitely without noticing a battery hit.
What are common Xender APK alternatives?
SHAREit, ShareKaro, Send Anywhere and Snapdrop are the closest alternatives. Xender remains the most feature-complete across platforms (especially for Android ↔ iPhone transfer, where most competitors fail).
Is the Xender APK available in all countries?
Yes. The Xender APK has no geographic restriction. Some countries block Google Play or certain app stores, but direct APK installation bypasses that entirely.

Get the latest Xender APK now

Version 18.0.1, 25 MB, signed by the official Xender team. Install in under 30 seconds.

Download Xender APK

After the install

Once the APK is installed, these guides walk through the device-to-device workflows.

OVERVIEW
Xender home →
What the app does, features, FAQ, and the four-step transfer flow.
GUIDE
Xender for PC →
Connect your phone to a Windows or Mac computer — web client + native Windows app.
GUIDE
Xender for Android →
Pairing flow for phone-to-phone transfers plus troubleshooting.