Android applications come in the Android Package format labeled as APK. Occasionally, an error causes the default .APK files to be saved as .BIN files. If this happens, you won't be able install or open the file without taking additional steps through a third party application. Fortunately, several easy to install and use applications are available to manage the .BIN file type.
What Is a .BIN File?
The .BIN file format is actually designed to store information in a binary format. The binary formatting is compatible with disk storage and it allows media files to save and sit on the physical disc.
Using a disc for storage however is increasingly uncommon and the file format does not translate to modern digital storage formats with manipulation to extract the information and migrate into a format easily used by Android devices along with any other relevant digital reader formats.
Some .BIN files are protected and they will not convert however. Converting the media from a copyright DVD or CD for example will not work without breaking through a layer of security protection. The process is also illegal and you are better off simply purchasing a digital format of the same media.
Install the Application
To install an application that is in .BIN file format, change the file's extension and use a third party plugin to install the program or convert individual files.
Head to the Google Play Store and search for a BIN converter or ISO Extractor program. Make sure the program is setup to handle .BIN file formats and install the app on your Android device. After the app is installed, you must create a physical connection to a computer where you will change the file labels and actually pull the file back into the phone.
After you make this mandatory adjustment, the third party BIN opener service will be able to read and install the file on your Android device.
Using the BIN Opener Application
Press the Android device's gear icon button and tap the Settings option. Tap the App Manager option and place a check mark next to the Unknown Sources option.
Tap the Developers menu option on the Application Settings menu and place a select the USB Debugging protocol.
Connect the Android phone to the computer via the USB connection cable that comes with the device. Slide the USB menu down from the top of the device's screen. Tap the Disk Drive option to mount the Android phone in disk mode.
Choose the Start button in your computer's task bar and select the Computer option or use the quick access navigation option for your file manager if one exists. Double-click the Android phone's removable storage device icon to view its contents.
Locate the .BIN file in the Android's storage folders. Click on the .BIN file to highlight the file and click on the file again to place your text cursor in the file's name field. Change the file extension from .BIN to .APK by highlighting .BIN and typing .APK. For example, if the file is named application.BIN, change the name to application.APK.
Right-click on the Android phone's removable storage device icon and select the Eject option. Disconnect the device from the computer. Tap the new extractor app on your phone to launch the program. Locate the .APK file and select the file to open and install it on the Android device.
