What "website to APK" actually means
An APK is the file Android uses to install an app. A website-to-APK converter wraps your site in a small native Android app built around a WebView — the same engine that powers Chrome — so when someone taps your icon, your site opens full-screen with no address bar, no browser tabs and your own splash screen.
Because the app loads your live site, every change you publish on the web shows up in the app instantly. You don't rebuild the APK when you edit a page, add a product or post a blog article. You only rebuild when you change the app itself: the name, icon, colour or permissions.
Convert a website to APK, step by step
- Test the site on a phone first. Open it in Chrome on Android. If menus overflow, text is tiny or buttons are hard to tap, fix that on the website — the app will look exactly the same.
- Install the converter. Get Website to App from Google Play and sign in once. The sign-in keeps your projects and builds tied to you.
- Paste the full URL. Use
https://. If your site has a dedicated mobile start page (like/shopor/app), you can start the app there. - Name it and add the icon. Keep the name under about 12 characters so it isn't cut off on the home screen. Use a square PNG of at least 512 × 512 pixels.
- Pick the colours. The theme colour tints the status bar and splash screen. Matching your brand colour makes the app feel native rather than "a website in a box".
- Build. The APK is compiled and signed on our servers, so your phone does no heavy work. You'll get a download link in a few minutes.
- Install and share. Open the APK to install it. To share it, send the file, upload it to Google Drive, or turn its download link into a QR code.
What the app can do
| Feature | Works? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Logins, carts and checkouts | Yes | Cookies and sessions persist between launches, just like in Chrome. |
| File uploads and camera | Yes | Upload buttons open the phone's picker or camera once permission is granted. |
| Location | Yes | Sites that ask for location get the normal Android permission prompt. |
| Offline screen | Yes | Shows a friendly "no connection" page instead of a browser error. |
| Pull to refresh | Yes | Swipe down to reload the current page. |
| Push notifications | Pro | Native push alongside a splash screen, onboarding and a tab bar. |
| Google Play upload | Pro | Google Play needs an AAB signed with a key you keep — both come with Pro. |
| iPhone (iOS) | No | Android only. iPhone users can add the site to their home screen instead. |
Is it really free?
Yes. A signed APK costs nothing, needs no card and has no watermark — there's no "made with" banner and we don't put ads inside your app. The free plan has a short cooldown between builds. Pro ($5 a month) is only needed when you want an AAB for Google Play, your own signing key and extras like push notifications. See what "free" means across converters.
Fixing the usual problems
The app shows a blank white screen
Almost always the URL. Check it starts with https://, has no typo and loads in mobile Chrome. If your site redirects through several domains on load, start the app on the final address.
"Login with Google" doesn't work
Google blocks its sign-in page inside embedded WebViews for security. Use email login, a magic link, or open the Google sign-in in the system browser. This affects every website-to-app converter, not just ours.
Links open inside the app when they should open outside (or vice versa)
Links to your own domain stay in the app. Links to other sites, tel:, mailto:, WhatsApp and maps open in the right app on the phone.
Android says the app is from an unknown source
That's normal for any APK not installed from Google Play. Tap Settings → Allow from this source. To avoid the prompt for your users, publish on Google Play.
When a website app is the right choice
A converted app is ideal when the website already does the job and you want a home-screen presence: shops, booking pages, school portals, news sites, dashboards, community forums and internal tools. If you need heavy offline work, background sync or 3D graphics, a native app may be worth the extra cost — see web app vs PWA vs native.
Create your app now — free
No watermark, no card, no Android Studio. Pick what you're starting from:
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a website to an APK for free?
Install the free Website to App converter from Google Play, paste your URL, add a name and icon, and tap Build. You get a signed APK with no watermark in a few minutes.
Can I convert any URL to an APK?
Any public website that loads over HTTPS works. Sites that block being shown inside apps (rare) or that require Google sign-in inside the page need small changes.
Will my app update when I change my website?
Yes. The app loads your live site, so content changes appear immediately. You only rebuild to change the app name, icon, colour or permissions.
Do I need Android Studio to convert a website to APK?
No. The build runs in the cloud from an Android app. If you prefer to do it yourself in Android Studio, see the Android Studio guide.
Is a website APK allowed on Google Play?
Yes, if the app gives users real value — a useful, mobile-friendly site with its own branding. Thin wrappers around someone else's website are rejected. Google Play needs an AAB file, which comes with Pro.
Can I convert a website to an iPhone app?
Not with this tool — it makes Android apps only. On iPhone, open the site in Safari, tap Share and choose Add to Home Screen.