How to download Android applications outside the Google Play Store

The era of the exclusivity of the App Store can end. While the Google Play Store And Apple App Store Are always de facto application sources on Android and iOS devices, legal battles have opened iOS downloads in Europe, and there has never been a real lock on Android. You have been able to install for a long time Android applications From alternative sources – it is just a question from Google who tries to direct people to the Play Store, where he claims a considerable reduction in initial sales and integrated purchases. For many transactions, this drop is 30%, resulting in billions of dollars for the company each year.

So how are you going to get Android applications without it Game store? And why would you like? I will approach all the essential questions here, including the installation of third -party application stores.

Should you install applications outside the Google Play Store?

Put on ethical and security issues

There is nothing intrinsically bad or dangerous in the distribution of applications outside the Play Store. Developers may need to do so for tests or wish to be independent for non -commercial purposes. And, of course, other developers may not like to divide their income with Google – the Android version of the Epic game store mainly exists if Epic does not have to lose millions of dollars Fortnite income. There are other applications available in the store, but in a realistic way, Fortnite is the main attraction.

You must be careful. While everything on the Play Store goes through a basic screening process to eliminate security threats, it’s up to you to determine whether third -party sources are trustworthy. You take the most risk with the websites that allow you to download the APK (Android Package Kit) files directly. These could be perfectly legitimate applications, but in darker circumstances, you may have to install malware or spy software. Always just on the side of caution, because no application is worth risking your safety or identity. In some countries, you could even expose yourself to government spy software used to suppress political dissent.

Ethical concerns exist on your side, mainly with sites that distribute hacked Android applications. Even if a hacked release is not a Trojan horse, it deprives at least the creators of a money application. Enough hacking can force a business with bankruptcy, or at least on the Android market. If you like the work of a developer, support them when you can.

How to install an APK file on Android

Cautious

Android relatively facilitates applications download from the web, although you have to modify certain settings to allow it. And as I mentioned a moment ago, be sure to download from a renowned source – if not, there is a risk that you download something malicious. The instructions below must apply to most of the Android versions from 9.0.

Follow these steps:

1. Press a link to APK to download the file to your phone. If you are warned, but you are ready to continue, type Download anyway.
2. Find the file on your phone and press it to start the installation process. I guess you use the integrated google file browser, but others should also work.
3. A pop-up alert will notify you of the browser needing authorizations. Faucet Parameters continue.
4. When asked, rocks Authorize from this source.
5. Choose Install Once you have the option.

If you have granted authorizations but you do not see the installation prompt in step 5, try again to launch the APK in your file browser. Things should continue and the installed application will appear in your launcher like the others. You may need to pick it up in the library of your application if it does not appear on your home screen. For other troubleshooting tips, see the last section of this guide.

How to install and use a third -party application shop on Android

Most of the path

If you know how to install an APK, you know (mainly) how to install and run third -party application stores. This is because these stores are full applications – it’s just that they have the possibility of installing other applications and receiving payment.

Here is what you can expect:

1. On the App Store website, press the APK provided download link. If you see a warning pop-up, type Download anyway.
2. Install the APK using the instructions in the previous section.
3. Open the Store app installed and configure all the necessary account information.
4. Browse the store until you find something you want to download. Press the appropriate button, like Buy,, GetOr Install.
5. You will see a warning regarding authorizations. Press Install.
6. Follow the prompts to go to Android Install unknown applications menu in Parameters.
7. There, select the store you just installed, then switch Authorize from this source.
8. Go back to the Store application to complete the installation.

After following this process once, you will no longer have to repeat it. You can download applications from the store just as convenient as if you used Google Play.

Troubleshooting problems with application installations

A special note for Samsung users

Samsung uses a separate Android fork. To allow APKs from third sources on a Samsung phone, go to Settings> ApplicationsPress the Triple menuSo choose Special access. Below Install unknown applicationsActivate the sources of application that you want to authorize, including the file browsers you plan to use.

If an application fails to settle properly, it is most likely a compatibility problem. As with the applications of the Play Store, some require a particular version of Android and / or a basic level of performance. In fact, some phones will simply refuse to run all applications that are not 64 bits, because the support for the 32 -bit code can drag a phone down. The good news in this regard is that 32 -bit applications are increasingly rare – Android has long been built on a 64 -bit code basis. All floating 32 -bit applications are probably old, obsolete and / or intended for very niche purposes. For these reasons, they should probably be avoided anyway.