If you are testing for research, look for these hallmark features that defined Android 1.0 (vs. the iPhone OS of 2008):
Android 1.0 shipped with bizarre system apps that vanished by 1.5: android 1.0 apk
Most apps these days are not compatible with Android 1.0 due to the advancements in Android and changes in API levels. For old compatible APKs, you might look into archives or repositories like: If you are testing for research, look for
Some developers have ported old Java games (J2ME) to Android 1.0. The APKs for games like Bonsai Blast or Space Physics only run on API Level 1. Collectors use emulators to preserve these "lost" apps. The "Build Prop" Hack: To install third-party APKs
You cannot install an Android 1.0 APK on your Pixel 8 or Galaxy S24. But you can run the entire OS in an emulator.
Step-by-step guide using Android Studio:
The "Build Prop" Hack: To install third-party APKs from 2008, you must disable package verification. In the terminal, you would have to remount the system and edit build.prop to set ro.secure=0. This is a nightmare for modern developers, which is why most people use QEMU standalone instead of Android Studio.