[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"howto:aar:windows:en":3},{"resolvedFromAlias":4,"canonicalExt":5,"ext":5,"name":6,"category":7,"categoryName":8,"updatedAt":9,"os":10,"osLabel":11,"quickSolution":12,"stepByStep":13,"recommendedSoftware":16,"alternativeMethods":17,"commonIssues":18,"securityNote":37,"extensionPath":38,"extensionLabel":39,"breadcrumbs":40,"metaDescription":50},false,"aar","Android Archive (AAR) library package","archives","Archives","2026-06-12T09:15:17.993Z","windows","Windows","To open .AAR files on Windows, if you only need to inspect it: make a copy, rename the file from .aar to .zip, then open it with File Explorer’s ZIP support to view/extract contents like AndroidManifest.xml, classes.jar, and res/.",[14,15],"If you only need to inspect it: make a copy, rename the file from .aar to .zip, then open it with File Explorer’s ZIP support to view/extract contents like AndroidManifest.xml, classes.jar, and res/.","If you need to use it in a project: add it as a library dependency in an Android Studio/Gradle project (AARs are meant to be consumed by the Android build system, not executed).",[],[],[19,25,31],{"title":20,"description":21,"steps":22},"It won’t open (or opens in the wrong app)","Many systems don’t associate .aar with a viewer. An AAR is a ZIP-based library package, not a document or installer, so double-click behavior is inconsistent.",[23,24],"Make a copy of the file and rename the extension from .aar to .zip.","Open/extract it using any ZIP-capable archive tool, then inspect files like AndroidManifest.xml, classes.jar, and res/.",{"title":26,"description":27,"steps":28},"Expecting an app installer or executable","AAR is a library distribution format for Android builds; it is not an APK and cannot be installed or launched on a device.",[29,30],"If you need to install something on Android, you likely need an .apk, not an .aar.","If you are developing, add the AAR as a dependency in your Android Studio/Gradle project per Android’s library documentation.",{"title":32,"description":33,"steps":34},"The file looks like a ZIP but tools complain it is corrupted","Because AAR is a ZIP container, partial downloads or modifications can break the archive structure and cause extraction errors.",[35,36],"Re-download or re-copy the AAR to ensure the transfer completed successfully.","Try extracting with a different ZIP tool; if multiple tools fail, the archive is likely damaged.","An AAR is a ZIP-based archive and can bundle compiled code (for example, classes.jar). Treat AARs from untrusted sources like any third-party library: using them in a build can introduce untrusted code into your app.","/file-extension/aar",".AAR",[41,44,47],{"label":42,"to":43},"Home","/",{"label":45,"to":46},"How To","/file-extension",{"label":48,"to":49},"Open .AAR on Windows","/how-to/open-aar-on-windows","Learn how to open .AAR files on Windows with step-by-step instructions, recommended software, and troubleshooting tips."]