Pleco for Android

For most users, downloading Pleco from Android Market and downloading databases for it via its built-in download manager should work fine; however, we also offer the following alternative methods in case those fail to deliver for you.

1. Install Pleco Application - start here if Pleco isn't installed on your device at all yet.
2. Install Basic Data Files - start here if Pleco is installed but is unable to download its required data files on startup.
3. Install Other Data Files - start here if Pleco is installed and running successfully but you're unable to download additional files in "Add-ons."

 

Install Pleco Application

Here's how to install Pleco without using Android Market, on a device like a Kindle Fire that doesn't support it:

1. Configure Device. Since this is not being distributed through Android Market, the first thing you need to do is configure your device to work with non-Android-Market apps.
   
   On most Android devices, you can do this by opening up the built-in "Settings" app, tapping on "Applications," and check the "Unknown Sources" box at the top of the page.
   On the Kindle Fire, swipe down your device's notification bar (top of the screen), tap on "More," tap on "Device" and turn on the "Allow Installation of Applications" switch.
2. Install Application. Enter the following link in your device's web browser:
   
   pleco.com/getandroid
   
   After the download finishes, go into your notification bar and tap on it. You should see a prompt asking if you want to install Pleco; click yes and the app will show up in your program launcher screen.
   
   If this doesn't work and your device has a built-in file manager (called "My Files" on a lot of devices) or can download one from its built-in app store (search for "file manager" and download a well-reviewed free one), open the "download" folder in your SD card and you should see a file called "plecodroid-(some numbers)-.apk"; tap on that file to install Pleco.
   
   If your device can't successfully finish this download, click on the above link to download the file to your computer, copy it to your device's storage memory (connect your device to it via USB, swipe down the notification bar, tap on the USB connection notification, tap on the button to mount it as a USB drive, and copy the file to that drive), then open it on your device using a file manager.
   
   (advanced users: all this is doing is downloading an APK file, so if you prefer to install it some other way, just download the file from that link and install it however you like)
   
3. Launch Application. The first time you run it, Pleco will automatically download two free dictionaries and some other data files to get you started; additional databases can be obtained via the "Add-ons" menu command. If you encounter any problems with those file downloads, see below for alternate ways to download Pleco's data files.
   
   
   

Install Basic Data Files

Pleco should automatically download these files the first time you run it, but if that download fails, you can also install them from your computer using the steps below.

Basic Data Files (33.6 MB)

Main server (Worldwide, Pleco CDN)
Alternate server (Hong Kong)

1. Download the file archive to your computer from one of the above links.
2. Double-click on the downloaded file to open it - you should see a file inside of it called "plecobundle.plc."
3. Connect your device to your computer via a USB cable.
4. Swipe down your device's notification area, tap on the USB connection notification, and tap on the button to mount your device as a USB drive on your computer.
5. Copy "plecobundle.plc" to the root directory of your device's storage card. (i.e., the highest-level directory on this USB drive)
6. Use the "Eject" command on your computer to unmount your device from it, then tap on the button on your device's screen to disconnect it from your computer.
7. Reopen Pleco and a message should come up offering to install the files from that bundle.

 

Install Other Data Files

Make sure that you've installed the "Basic Data Files" above before you install these.

Paid Add-ons

Free Add-ons

1. Download one or more file archives to your computer from one of the above links - DO NOT open or unzip it.
2. Connect your device to your computer via a USB cable.
3. Swipe down your device's notification area, tap on the USB connection notification, and tap on the button to mount your device as a USB drive on your computer.
4. Copy each of the files to that USB drive. (doesn't matter where)
5. Use the "Eject" command on your computer to unmount your device from it, then tap on the button on your device's screen to disconnect it from your computer.
6. Open up Pleco, press your device's menu button, tap "Add-ons," press the menu button again, and tap "Install from zip."
7. Select one of the files you copied to install it.
8. Repeat this procedure with each of the other files.