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The Anchor mobile app is available as an Android APK file. Follow these steps to download and install it on your device.

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Downloading the APK

Anchor provides two types of APK files optimized for different use cases:

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Universal APK

The universal APK works on all Android devices regardless of processor architecture. This is the recommended option for most users.
  • File size: Larger (contains code for all architectures)
  • Compatibility: Works on any Android device
  • Best for: Easy installation without worrying about device architecture

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Architecture-Specific APKs

For smaller download sizes, you can choose an APK built specifically for your device’s processor:
  • arm64-v8a: Modern 64-bit ARM devices (most recent Android phones)
  • armeabi-v7a: Older 32-bit ARM devices
  • x86_64: Intel/AMD 64-bit processors (some tablets and emulators)
If you’re unsure which architecture your device uses, download the universal APK. It will work on any device but will be slightly larger in size.

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Installation Steps

1

Enable Unknown Sources

Before installing the APK, you need to allow installation from sources other than the Google Play Store.
  1. Open your device’s Settings
  2. Navigate to Security or Privacy (location varies by device)
  3. Find Install unknown apps or Unknown sources
  4. Select your browser or file manager
  5. Toggle Allow from this source
Only enable this temporarily and disable it after installation for security. Only install APKs from sources you trust.
2

Download the APK

Download the appropriate APK file from your Anchor server’s releases page or from the official repository.The file will typically be named:
  • anchor-universal-release.apk (universal)
  • anchor-arm64-v8a-release.apk (64-bit ARM)
  • anchor-armeabi-v7a-release.apk (32-bit ARM)
  • anchor-x86_64-release.apk (x86 64-bit)
3

Install the APK

Once downloaded, tap the APK file in your notifications or file manager to begin installation.
  1. Tap Install when prompted
  2. Wait for the installation to complete
  3. Tap Open to launch the app, or find it in your app drawer
4

Grant Permissions

On first launch, Anchor will request necessary permissions:
  • Storage: For saving photos and attachments to notes
  • Camera: For taking photos directly in notes
  • Network: For syncing with your server
Grant these permissions for full functionality, or deny them if you prefer limited offline-only use.

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Building from Source

If you prefer to build the APK yourself from source code:
1

Install Flutter SDK

Download and install the Flutter SDK for your operating system.Verify installation:
flutter doctor
2

Get Dependencies

Navigate to the mobile directory and install dependencies:
cd mobile
flutter pub get
3

Run Code Generation

Generate required code for Riverpod, Drift, and JSON serialization:
dart run build_runner build --delete-conflicting-outputs
4

Build the APK

Build a release APK:
# Universal APK (all architectures)
flutter build apk --release

# Split APKs by architecture (smaller files)
flutter build apk --split-per-abi --release
The APK files will be located in build/app/outputs/flutter-apk/.

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Updating the App

When a new version is released:
  1. Download the new APK file
  2. Install it over the existing app (your data will be preserved)
  3. Launch the app to complete the update
Your notes and settings are stored locally and will not be affected by updates.

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Troubleshooting

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Installation Blocked

If installation is blocked:
  • Ensure you’ve enabled “Unknown sources” for your browser/file manager
  • Try downloading the APK again in case it was corrupted
  • Check that you have sufficient storage space

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App Won’t Open

If the app crashes on launch:
  • Ensure you downloaded the correct architecture APK for your device
  • Try the universal APK instead
  • Clear the app’s cache and data in Settings > Apps

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Architecture Mismatch

If you installed an architecture-specific APK and it doesn’t work:
  • Uninstall the app
  • Download and install the universal APK instead

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Next Steps

After installation, you’ll need to connect the app to your Anchor server:

Connect to Server

Configure your server connection and authenticate

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