Question Can I transfer an app to a new device if it's no longer available?

[Tunes4all]

There used to be an amazing music performance app called "Qibrd" on the Google Play store.
It's no longer available there, but I have it installed on two android devices.

Does the executable file still exist on those devices?
Can I find it, transfer it to a new device and do a new install?
I'm a first time poster here -- sorry if this is in the wrong forum.

 

[mustang7757]

Welcome to AC!
If it's not in play store anymore you can try to get it's APK or I seen it on Amazon store

 

[Mooncatt]

I use the APK Extractor app in these situations to create my own for transferring. If it's an app no longer in development, you can keep it saved after installing it on the new device so it's already there for future device upgrades.

Just a word of caution, though, that you do this at your own risk. There may come a point that a future version of Android will not properly support an old app like this. I recently had this problem with Swype and have had to downgrade to Google's Gboard keyboard. Make sure you don't become too reliant on legacy apps and at least start thinking about possible replacement options with current app alternatives.

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! One thing to keep in mind is if you have a newer phone that only supports 64 bit apps, and if that QiBrd app is only available as a 32 bit app, it definitely won't work.

 

[Mooncatt]

That's interesting. I thought it was like Windows when it went 64 bit. It will natively support 32 bit programs and I figured all devices had similar compatibilities.

 

[B. Diddy]

That's interesting. I thought it was like Windows when it went 64 bit. It will natively support 32 bit programs and I figured all devices had similar compatibilities.

Nope! It's a bummer for apps whose devs dropped support and didn't upgrade them to 64-bit.