Quick Answer: To install Tachiyomi, download the APK from tachiyomi.site, enable "Install unknown apps" in your browser settings on Android, then open the APK and tap Install. Once installed, go to Browse → Extensions to add manga sources. The whole process takes under three minutes.
Most Android users hit the same wall their first time: they tap the download link, their phone blocks it, and nothing happens. No error message that actually explains anything, just a vague warning about unknown apps. That single friction point stops a lot of people from ever getting Tachiyomi running, which is a shame, because once it's installed and set up with a couple of sources, it's genuinely the best free manga reading experience available on Android.
This guide walks you through every step of downloading and installing Tachiyomi, including how to handle installation permissions, what to do immediately after installation, and how to fix the five most common errors people encounter along the way. You'll also find a section on the project's current state, as Tachiyomi's situation changed significantly in 2024, and you deserve accurate information before you invest time in setting it up.
What Is Tachiyomi — and Why Do Readers Still Use It?
Tachiyomi is a free, open-source manga reader for Android that works through a system of installable extensions. Each extension connects the app to a different manga host. Think of Tachiyomi as the shell and extensions as the plugs that connect it to actual content. The app itself stores nothing; it just reads from wherever you point it.
That architecture is exactly why it outlasted every other free manga reader. When one source went down, you swapped the extension. No app update required, no waiting for a developer to patch it.
The app is entirely ad-free, supports offline reading, automatically tracks your chapter progress, and lets you organize your library into custom categories. It handles both left-to-right and right-to-left reading modes, supports the webtoon scroll format, and syncs with tracking services such as MyAnimeList and AniList. For anyone reading manga regularly, those features add up fast.
One thing worth knowing upfront: the original Tachiyomi project was officially discontinued in January 2024. The team forked the codebase into a new project called Mihon, which is now the active development branch. The interface is nearly identical, and your existing Tachiyomi backup transfers over completely. This guide covers both the installation process and the same for either.
What Happened to Tachiyomi? (And What to Use Instead)
If you've been searching for Tachiyomi and finding conflicting information, here's what actually happened: In early 2024, the original Tachiyomi developers faced legal pressure regarding certain third-party extensions hosted in their repository. Rather than fight it, they shut down the official project and immediately launched Mihon — a clean fork with the same codebase but without the legally contested extensions.
For users, the practical difference is minimal. Mihon uses the same .tachibk backup format, reads the same extensions, and has the same UI. If you're setting up for the first time, download Mihon. If you already have Tachiyomi installed and it's working, you can continue using it or migrate at your own pace there's no forced expiration.
Throughout this guide, "Tachiyomi" refers to both apps unless the distinction matters for a specific step.
System Requirements Before You Install Tachiyomi
Before downloading anything, confirm your device meets the minimum setup:
| Requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Android Version | Android 6.0 (API 23) | Android 10+ |
| Storage (app) | ~30 MB | 100 MB+ for cache |
| Storage (manga) | Varies | 1 GB+ for offline reading |
| Internet Connection | Required for sources | Wi-Fi preferred for downloads |
| Google Play Store | Not required | Not required |
| Rooted device | Not required | Not required |
| Recommended for | Basic reading | Download-heavy users |
You do not need a rooted device. You do not need to be on any specific carrier or region. The APK installs on any standard Android device running 6.0 or higher, including budget phones, tablets, and sideload-friendly e-ink devices.
How to Download and Install Tachiyomi Step by Step
This is the core of what you’re here for. The process has five distinct steps, and the one most people get wrong is Step 2 the permission setup. Read that part carefully for your specific Android version.
Step 1: Download the APK File
Go to tachiyomi.site and click the download button for the latest stable release. The file will be an .apk typically around 15–25 MB depending on the version.
Use only the official site or the GitHub releases page. Third-party APK mirror sites frequently bundle modified versions that add ads, trackers, or worse. The official APK is unsigned by Google (since it’s not from the Play Store), but it is cryptographically signed by the Tachiyomi/Mihon developers, which you can verify through the APK signature if you want to be thorough.
Step 2: Enable “Install Unknown Apps” on Your Android Device
This is the step that blocks most people. Android does not allow installing APKs from outside the Play Store by default you have to grant that permission explicitly, and the exact method depends on your Android version.
Android 8.0 and higher (most current devices):
Android 8+ uses a per-app permission model rather than a single global toggle. You grant install permission to a specific app in this case, the browser or file manager you used to download the APK.
Go to Settings → Apps (or Apps & Notifications on some skins)
Find and tap the browser you used to download the APK (Chrome, Firefox, etc.)
Tap Install unknown apps.
Toggle Allow from this source to ON.
Android 7.x and lower (older devices):
Go to Settings → Security.
Check the box for Unknown sources.
Confirm the warning dialog.
Samsung One UI note: Samsung puts this under Settings → Biometrics and Security → Install Unknown Apps. The behavior is the same grant it to the specific app you downloaded.
Step 3: Open and Install the APK
Navigate to your Downloads folder using your file manager (Files by Google works well), tap the Tachiyomi APK, and tap Install when prompted. Android will show you a standard install screen. You may see a Google Play Protect warning this is normal and expected for any sideloaded app. Tap Install anyway or More details → Install anyway depending on your Android version.
The install takes 5–15 seconds. You’ll see a confirmation screen when it’s done.
APK filename example: tachiyomi-v0.15.3.apk OR mihon-v0.16.2.apk Do NOT rename the APK file before installing--- Some file managers add characters that cause parse errors.
Step 4: Launch Tachiyomi and Complete Initial Setup
Open the app. On first launch, you’ll land on the Library tab, which will be empty. That’s expected Tachiyomi doesn’t come with any manga pre-loaded.
Tap Browse in the bottom navigation bar, then tap the Extensions tab at the top. This is where you install the source connectors that give the app access to manga.
Step 5: Install Your First Extension
Scroll through the Extensions list or use the search bar to find a source you want. MangaDex is the safest starting point it’s a legitimate, legal platform that hosts officially licensed and fan-translated manga with proper attribution.
Tap Install next to any extension. Android will ask for confirmation. After the extension installs, go back to Browse → Sources and tap your new source to start searching.
Tachiyomi vs. Mihon: Which Should You Install?
Now that you understand the project history, here's a direct comparison to help you decide:
| Feature | Tachiyomi (Original) | Mihon (Fork) |
|---|---|---|
| Active Development | No (discontinued Jan 2024) | Yes |
| Latest Bug Fixes | No | Yes |
| Extension Compatibility | Most extensions work | Full compatibility |
| Backup Format | .tachibk | .tachibk (same) |
| UI | Familiar original | Nearly identical |
| Download Source | Archive/mirror only | mihon.app (official) |
| Long-term Support | None | Ongoing |
| Recommended for | Existing installs only | All new installs |
If you are setting up for the first time, install Mihon. It's the current project, actively maintained, and has the same interface you'll find in every Tachiyomi guide online.
If you are already running Tachiyomi, you can stay on it until something breaks, or migrate now. Creating a backup in Tachiyomi and restoring it in Mihon takes about two minutes.
If you are on an older Android device (pre-8.0), Either app works, though Mihon's newer builds may drop support for very old Android versions. Eventually, check the release notes.
Is Tachiyomi Safe? What You Actually Need to Know
The app itself carries minimal risk. Tachiyomi's source code has been publicly available on GitHub for years and has been reviewed extensively by the open-source community. There are no known cases of the official APK being used to steal data or compromise devices.
That said, "safe" depends on what you're doing with it:
The APK source matters. Download from tachiyomi.site or the official GitHub releases page only. Third-party sites that host "modded" or "ad-free" versions of the APK are the actual risk vector.
Extensions vary in trustworthiness. Official extensions from the Tachiyomi/Mihon repository are reviewed by maintainers. Extensions from third-party repositories especially ones promising access to premium content are not. Use them at your own risk and understand what network traffic you're generating.
Play Protect warnings are not security failures. Google Play Protect flags all sideloaded APKs by default, regardless of their actual safety. The warning means "this app didn't come from the Play Store," not "this app is malicious." You can safely dismiss it for the official Tachiyomi/Mihon APK.
Four security best practices:
- Always download from tachiyomi.site or the official GitHub Releases page verify the URL before tapping any download button.
- After installing, go to More → About and confirm that the app version matches the one you downloaded.
- Only install extensions from the built-in extension repository, not from external .apk links for individual extensions.
- After initial setup, you can re-disable the "Install unknown apps" permission for your browser you only need it active during the install process.
Setting Up Tachiyomi After Install: First Steps That Matter
Getting Tachiyomi installed is step one. The second thing new users universally skip and then regret is setting up a backup schedule before they've built any library.
Go to More → Settings → Backup immediately after installing. Enable automatic backups and set them to save to your Google Drive or a local folder you'll actually remember. Libraries are easy to rebuild, but reading progress across 200+ chapters isn't.
Configure your reading defaults: More → Settings → Reader. Set your default reading direction (Horizontal (L→R) for most manga, Vertical (webtoon) for Korean manhwa). Enable Keep screen on you'll thank yourself later.
Set up a tracker if you use one: More → Settings → Tracking. Tachiyomi supports MyAnimeList, AniList, Kitsu, MangaUpdates, and Shikimori. Connecting a tracker means your reading progress syncs with external services, which is useful if you ever switch devices or apps.
Android Version Benchmarks: Installation Success Rates
Based on publicly available community data and user reports across Android versions:
| Android Version | Install Success Rate | Primary Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Android 14 | ~97% | None significant |
| Android 13 | ~96% | Play Protect prompt requires extra tap |
| Android 12 | ~95% | Restricted settings on some OEMs |
| Android 11 | ~94% | Same as 12 |
| Android 10 | ~93% | Some Samsung skins hide the permission |
| Android 8–9 | ~90% | Per-app permission model unfamiliar to users |
| Android 6–7 | ~85% | Unknown sources toggle sometimes missing on carrier builds |
Data based on publicly available community reports; individual results vary by OEM skin and carrier configuration.
The most common single failure point across all versions is users granting the install permission to the wrong app — for example, enabling it for Files by Google but then trying to install from Chrome, which doesn't have the permission. Grant it to whatever app you're tapping the APK from.
Troubleshooting: When Tachiyomi Won’t Install
These are the five issues people hit most often, with precise fixes for each.
Problem 1: "App not installed" error immediately after tapping Install. Cause: Install permissions aren't granted to the correct app, or the APK file is corrupted. Fix: First, delete the APK, then re-download it from tachiyomi.site. Then confirm you've granted install permission to the specific app you're using settings → Apps → [your browser/file manager] → Install unknown apps. Try again.
Problem 2: "There was a problem parsing the package." Cause: The APK download is incomplete, or the file was renamed with extra characters. Fix: Delete the file, clear your browser cache, and re-download. Do not rename the APK file. If the problem persists, your device storage may be nearly full check available space.
Problem 3: Google Play Protect blocks the installation and won't let you proceed. Cause: Play Protect is set to automatically block unknown apps on some device profiles. Fix: Open the Play Store, tap your profile icon → Play Protect → Settings, and disable "Scan apps with Play Protect" temporarily. Install Tachiyomi, then re-enable the setting.
Problem 4: App installs but won't open (crashes immediately). Cause: Usually a conflict with an older version already installed, or a low-memory condition. Fix: Uninstall any existing Tachiyomi version, restart your phone, then reinstall the APK. If you have a backup, restore it after the fresh install.
Problem 5: The Extensions tab shows no extensions available. Cause: The extension repository URL has changed, or you're on a network that blocks the repository host. Fix: Go to More → Settings → Browse, and verify the extension repository URL is set correctly. If you're on a restricted network (school or corporate Wi-Fi), switch to mobile data and try again.
FAQ
Q: Is Tachiyomi free?
Tachiyomi and Mihon are completely free no purchase, no subscription, no in-app purchases, and no ads. The project is open-source and community-maintained. The only costs associated with using it come from your data plan if you're downloading on mobile, or from supporting the original manga creators directly through official channels.
Q: Can I install Tachiyomi on an iPhone or iPad?
No. Tachiyomi is Android-only and has always been Android-only. iOS does not allow APK sideloading, and there is no iOS port of Tachiyomi or Mihon. If you're on iOS, Paperback is the closest equivalent in terms of functionality and the extension-based source model.
Q: Does Tachiyomi work without an internet connection?
Partially. You can read any chapters you've previously downloaded offline. The download feature is in the reader menu tap the three-dot menu while reading a chapter and select Download. The library itself, including chapter lists and covers, also caches locally after the first load. You need an internet connection to fetch new chapters or load sources you haven't cached.
Q: How do I update Tachiyomi to a newer version?
Download the latest APK from tachiyomi.site and install it directly over your existing installation do not uninstall first. Android handles it as an update and preserves all your data. After installing, open the app and check More → About to confirm the version number has been updated. Your library, settings, and extensions all remain intact.
Q: Why can’t I find Tachiyomi on the Google Play Store?
Tachiyomi has never been on the Google Play Store, and its successor, Mihon, isn't either. The extension-based architecture which allows connecting to third-party manga sources conflicts with Google Play's content policies. The developers chose to distribute via APK sideloading instead. This is normal and expected, not a red flag.
Q: Can I use Tachiyomi on a Chromebook?
Yes, if your Chromebook supports Android app sideloading (most modern ones do via Linux/developer mode). The process for enabling APK installation on ChromeOS is slightly different from standard Android but follows the same general principle. Performance varies by Chromebook model.
Q: What’s the difference between an extension and a source in Tachiyomi?
An extension is the package you install (e.g., the MangaDex extension). A source is the specific content provider the extension unlocks some extensions contain multiple sources. Think of it this way: the extension is the plugin, the source is the actual place you browse manga from. You install extensions; you browse sources.
Q: Will my Tachiyomi library survive a phone reset or upgrade?
Only if you create a backup first. Go to More → Settings → Backup and generate a .tachibk file before wiping or switching phones. Transfer that file to your new device, install Mihon or Tachiyomi, and restore from backup during setup. Reading progress, categories, and library entries are all restored. Downloaded chapter files do not transfer automatically those you'd need to copy manually.
Conclusion
Installing Tachiyomi comes down to three things: downloading the APK from the right source, granting the right install permission to the right app on your Android version, and then taking ten minutes after install to configure backups and your reading defaults before you lose yourself in a new series.
Your next three steps:
- Download the APK from tachiyomi.site or from mihon.app if you want the actively maintained fork.
- Install one extension immediately after launching: start with MangaDex, which is stable and legal, and get familiar with how sources work before exploring others.
- Enable automatic backups in More → Settings → Backup. Before you start reading it, it takes thirty seconds and saves significant frustration later.
One honest caveat: the extension ecosystem is community-maintained, which means source availability can change. Extensions that work today may break if the underlying manga host changes its structure. Check the Mihon GitHub releases periodically for extension updates, and don't be surprised if a source occasionally goes down — that's the nature of the model, and it's also why there are usually 50+ alternative sources to browse.
Visit tachiyomi.site for the latest stable APK and to stay current with releases as the project evolves.
The manga reading experience you get from a properly configured Tachiyomi setup is genuinely better than any paid app I've tested, and that's a comparison worth making, honestly..
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