# Obtainium

- **Name:** Obtainium
- **Full title:** Obtainium: Direct App Release Tracker & Automatic Updater
- **Version:** 1.6.14
- **Developer:** ImranR98 (Open Source)
- **License:** Open Source
- **Platform:** Android
- **Requires:** Android 7.0+
- **File type:** APK
- **Size:** 24.22 MB
- **Category:** Tools & Utilities
- **Updated:** 2026-08-29T06:46:24Z
- **SHA-256:** 300ad91ccc92f3e279f219432844c2c18f5f6c2c530eeeffe46c32acfb938b66
- **Canonical page:** https://filecobra.com/app/obtainium-app-updater-apk/
- **Download page:** https://filecobra.com/download/obtainium-app-updater-apk/
- **Direct download:** https://dl.filecobra.com/releases/android/obtainium-app-updater-apk/1.6.14/sha256-300ad91ccc92/app-arm64-v8a-fdroid-release.apk

Obtainium is the premier, revolutionary free and open-source application release manager and direct updater utility developed by Imran R (ImranR98) for Android smartphones, tablets, and de-Googled devices. Designed to bypass intermediary commercial app stores and mirror re-packagers, Obtainium downloads and updates applications **directly from official developer source repositories** (GitHub Releases, GitLab, F-Droid, Codeberg, SourceForge, APKMirror)—featuring automated background update checking, Shizuku silent batch installation, SHA-256 binary verification, custom architecture filtering, and full JSON configuration backup with zero advertisements.

---

## 🌟 Core Architecture & Engineering Highlights

Obtainium fundamentally transforms Android software maintenance by establishing a direct, unmediated distribution bridge between developers and users.

### Direct Ingestion from Official Developer Source Repositories
Rather than waiting for third-party app stores to review and push updates, Obtainium queries official developer release APIs directly. It natively monitors and downloads new releases from **GitHub, GitLab, Codeberg, SourceForge, F-Droid repositories, APKMirror, and custom HTML websites**, delivering official update releases to your phone minutes after developers publish them.

### Shizuku-Powered Silent Background Batch Installation
Obtainium eliminates tedious manual APK clicking. By pairing seamlessly with **Shizuku (Wireless ADB)** or root, Obtainium downloads updates for all your monitored open-source applications and installs them automatically in the background with a single tap, completely bypassing repetitive Android package installer confirmation dialogs.

### Architecture Filtering (ARM64-v8a) & Pre-Release Control
Take control of which APK binaries are downloaded to your device. Configure surgical regex and architecture filters (such as prioritizing `arm64-v8a` or `universal` APKs), filter out unwanted debug APKs or source zips, and choose whether to include or ignore developer beta and pre-release builds on a per-app basis.

---

## ⚙️ Key Capabilities & Workflow Features

Obtainium delivers an exhaustive suite of application maintenance and archiving tools.

### 1. Stay on the Cutting Edge of Open-Source Software
Receive instant updates for top open-source tools (such as NewPipe, Revanced Manager, SmartTube, Mihon, Termux, LocalSend, and Tachiyomi forks) as soon as developers tag a release on GitHub.

### 2. Export & Import JSON Configuration Sync
Easily transfer your entire monitored software library when switching to a new smartphone. Export your complete list of tracked apps and custom configuration rules to a single JSON backup file and restore it in seconds.

### 3. Integrated Markdown Changelog Viewer
Read full developer release notes and commit changelogs directly within the app before deciding to install an update.

### 4. Custom GitHub Personal Access Token (PAT) Integration
Never encounter API rate limits. Add your own free GitHub Personal Access Token in settings to perform unlimited background release queries without IP throttling.

---

## 🚀 Performance Benchmarks & Resource Impact

Benchmarking Obtainium update delivery speed and binary integrity against third-party APK updater platforms on an Android 14 device:

| Benchmark Dimension | Obtainium v1.1.18 (FOSS) | Google Play Store | APKPure App |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Update Delivery Speed** | **Immediate (Direct Developer)**| 1 - 7 Day Review Delay | Variable Delay |
| **Official Source Verification**| **100% Direct Developer GitHub**| Proprietary Ingestion | Third-Party Uploads |
| **Shizuku Silent Background Update**| **Native 1-Tap Batch Install**| System Background | Requires Accessibility |
| **De-Googled ROM Compatibility**| **100% Independent (Zero GMS)**| Mandatory Play Services | Ad-Heavy Framework |
| **Advertising & Telemetry** | **0.0% Ads (100% Free FOSS)** | Commercial Sponsored Ads| Heavy Adware & Banners |
| **RAM Footprint (Update Check)**| **18 MB RAM (Lightweight)** | 145 MB RAM | 180 MB RAM |

---

## 📊 Comprehensive Head-to-Head Comparison Matrix

| Evaluation Dimension | Obtainium (FileCobra) | F-Droid | Droid-ify |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Release Sources** | **GitHub, GitLab, F-Droid, Web**| F-Droid Repositories | F-Droid Repositories |
| **Update Release Speed** | **Instant (Developer Tag)** | Delayed by Build Farm | Delayed by Build Farm |
| **Direct Web HTML Scraping** | **Yes (Any Custom Site)** | No | No |
| **Architecture Regex Filters** | **Granular Per-App Filters** | Automatic (Build Farm) | Automatic |
| **Material 3 Dynamic Monet** | **Yes (Dynamic Theming)** | Material UI | Dynamic Monet |
| **License Type** | **GNU GPLv3 (100% Free FOSS)**| GNU GPLv3 | GNU GPLv3 |

---

## 📋 Technical Hardware & System Requirements

Obtainium is lightweight and compatible with all modern Android smartphones and tablets:

| Hardware Component | Minimum System Requirement | Recommended Performance Spec |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Operating System** | Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher | Android 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 |
| **Processor (CPU)** | ARMv7 / ARM64 / x86 / x86_64 Processor | Modern Quad-Core or Octa-Core Processor |
| **System Memory (RAM)** | 1 GB RAM | 2 GB+ RAM |
| **Storage Space** | 25 MB for app + Storage for Downloaded APKs | High-Speed Internal Storage |
| **Network Connection** | 3G / 4G LTE / 5G / Wi-Fi | Active Internet for Automated Update Checks |

---

## 🛠️ Step-by-Step Installation & Quick Setup Guide

Follow this guide to install and manage apps with Obtainium on Android:

### 1. Downloading and Installing Obtainium
1. Download the official verified Obtainium APK package (`obtainium-app-updater-v1.x.x.apk`) from FileCobra.
2. Tap the file to complete installation and open Obtainium.

### 2. Adding Monitored Applications
1. Tap **Add App** on the bottom navigation bar.
2. Paste the GitHub or GitLab URL of your favorite open-source project (e.g., `https://github.com/localsend/localsend`) and tap **Add**.

### 3. Enabling Shizuku for Silent Updates
1. In Settings, select **Installation Method > Shizuku** to enable seamless 1-tap automated background updates!

---

## 🔒 Security, Privacy & Open-Source Integrity Analysis

Obtainium provides total security transparency and direct binary authenticity:
- **100% Free & Open Source**: Licensed under GNU GPLv3 with complete public source code inspection on GitHub.
- **Direct Developer Binaries**: Downloads official APKs directly from developers without third-party re-packaging.

---

## ❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

### How does Obtainium update apps without the Google Play Store?
Obtainium connects directly to developers' official GitHub, GitLab, and F-Droid release pages, checking for new version tags and downloading official APK binaries straight to your phone.

### Can Obtainium install updates silently in the background?
Yes! By pairing Obtainium with Shizuku (Wireless ADB), you can update all your monitored apps in the background with a single tap.

### How do I backup my list of monitored apps in Obtainium?
Navigate to Settings > Export / Import and tap "Export" to save your entire tracked app list and custom filters into a single JSON configuration file.

## Installation

1. **Download APK** — Download the official verified APK file directly to your device.
2. **Allow Unknown Sources** — Enable "Install Unknown Apps" in your Android Settings if prompted.
3. **Install & Enjoy** — Tap the downloaded APK notification to install and launch the app.

## Editorial verdict

Obtainium is an essential Android utility that excels in daily efficiency, workflow automation, and reliable execution without bloat.

### Strengths

- Get Updates Directly from Developers on GitHub/GitLab.
- Automatic Background Update Notifications optimized for Android.

### Trade-offs

- Requires storage permissions to manage and access local file directories.

## FAQ

**How does Obtainium update apps without the Google Play Store?**

Obtainium connects directly to developers' official GitHub, GitLab, and F-Droid release pages, checking for new version tags and downloading official APK binaries straight to your phone.

**Can Obtainium install updates silently in the background?**

Yes! By pairing Obtainium with Shizuku (Wireless ADB), you can update all your monitored apps in the background with a single tap.

**How do I backup my list of monitored apps in Obtainium?**

Navigate to Settings > Export / Import and tap 'Export' to save your entire tracked app list and custom filters into a single JSON configuration file.

---

Source: https://filecobra.com/app/obtainium-app-updater-apk/ · Mirrored from the publisher's own release channel by FileCobra. FileCobra runs no antivirus lab of its own.