Are you looking to download an APK file but not sure if it's safe? You're not alone. With the rise of malicious apps, it's important to make sure that the APK file you're downloading is secure. Fortunately, there are a few ways to check if an APK file is safe or not. One way to check the security of an APK file is by checking its hash.
This is like a fingerprint of the file you're trying to download. Comparing the SHA of your APK file with that of others will tell you if it can be safely downloaded. Hashdroid is a great tool for checking and comparing app hashes. You can also use Apktovi Checker Tool to match the two results of the hash.
If they are similar, it means that the application is secure and unmodified. Another way to check if an APK file is safe is by using VirusTotal. This website allows you to upload your APK files and check for viruses and other problems. The results are detailed, starting with a risk classification and then showing you the permissions requested by the application, general information such as its MD5 and SHA256 hashes, and the size of the file.
You can also use Metadefender to scan files directly from your Android phone. This method allows you to compare the hashes of the APKs and what the publishers of the application have revealed to see if the APK is safe to install. It's hard to tell if an APK is secure or not, so it's best to download from reliable sources such as Google Play, Amazon, etc.