How to run an APK online in your browser, and what to do with an .aab.
Size limits from each vendor's own pages, checked November 6, 2026: BrowserStack, APK Runner, Appetize; bundletool from Android's docs.
In the browser
- Sign up at phonebox.dev and open Phones; the free 7-day trial includes $5 of phone time, about 83 minutes.
- Create a phone and wait for it to be ready.
- Upload the APK in the Apps tab. It installs and appears on the home screen.
- Use the app. Click to tap, drag to swipe, type with your keyboard. Park the phone when you're done; the app stays installed.
From the command line, or an .aab
The CLI uploads the file, installs it and waits until the phone lists the app. If you have an Android App Bundle, build a universal APK from it first; bundletool signs it with your debug key when you don't pass one:
# An Android App Bundle (.aab) won't install directly: build one universal APK from it
bundletool build-apks --bundle=app.aab --output=app.apks --mode=universal
unzip -p app.apks universal.apk > app.apk
# Then install it on your phone
phonebox apps install ./app.apkWhat each service accepts
| Files | Size limit | How long the upload is kept | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phonebox | Signed .apk, debug builds included | 500 MiB | 7 days after its last install; the installed app stays on the phone |
| BrowserStack App Live | .apk, .aab | 1 GB | Not stated on the checked page |
| APK Runner | .apk, .xapk, .apks, .apkm | 200 MB | Deleted after an hour |
| Appetize | .apk, .apks | Not stated | Not stated |
When the install fails
- It's an .aab or split APKs: build one universal APK with the commands above.
- It isn't signed: Android refuses unsigned APKs. Build a debug variant, or sign it with your release key.
- It's bigger than the limit: check the file size against the table, and strip unused native libraries for other ABIs.
Questions
How can I run an APK online without installing an emulator?
Upload it to a cloud Android device and use that device in your browser. On Phonebox, create a phone, upload any signed APK up to 500 MiB from the Apps tab, and use the app with your mouse and keyboard; parking the phone keeps the app installed. New accounts start with a free 7-day trial.
Can I run an .aab file online?
Most services need an APK. Convert the bundle with bundletool: bundletool build-apks --bundle=app.aab --output=app.apks --mode=universal, then extract universal.apk from app.apks and upload that. BrowserStack App Live also accepts .aab files directly.
Is it safe to upload my APK to an online emulator?
Check how long each service keeps your file. Phonebox deletes an upload 7 days after its last install and keeps each customer's phones separate; APK Runner deletes uploads after an hour. Don't sign in to personal accounts on a shared or wiped device.
Get started with Phonebox. New accounts start with a free 7-day trial, card required.
The Phonebox team