I’ve heard about iOS APK or iAPK apps that allow running APK apps on an iPhone. Is this true? If so, can anyone guide me on how to find the IPA file for such apps?
From my experience working with mobile platforms, it’s not as straightforward as just running APK apps on iOS devices. iOS uses the IPA file format exclusively, while APK files are designed specifically for Android. There are tools like Cider or iEMU that claim to let you run APK apps on iOS devices, but these aren’t officially supported. Plus, they usually require jailbreaking your device, which can be risky and may void your warranty. So, if you’re hoping for a simple way to run APK apps on iOS devices, unfortunately, it doesn’t really exist.
Adding to what @dipen-soni said, having worked quite a bit with iOS restrictions, I can tell you the ecosystem is very locked down compared to Android. This makes running APK apps on iOS devices even more complicated. Some emulators like AltStore or Cydia might help, but again, they often depend on jailbreaking your phone. Jailbreaking can open up possibilities but also exposes you to security vulnerabilities and can make your device unstable. So, while these workarounds exist, they’re definitely not for casual users and aren’t officially supported by Apple.
Building on both @dipen-soni and @babitakumari points from my experience with cross-platform app solutions, if you really want to access Android features on an iOS device, a better approach might be to look at Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). PWAs can sometimes bridge the gap without the need to run APK apps on iOS devices directly. Another option is using App Store alternatives like AltStore, but keep in mind these methods don’t actually run APK files. Also, any attempt involving jailbreaking or sideloading unsupported apps carries significant risks like security issues and potential instability. So, while there are some alternatives, running APK apps on iOS devices isn’t truly practical or safe for most users.