Unlike the iPhone, Android phones allow you to install apps outside of the official app store—in the case of Android, that’s the Play Store. that’s what he calls side loading, and while it can be risky at times, it’s safe if you know how.

You just need to make sure the source is a trusted program like Google Chrome. We explain it to you!

You may also be interested in knowing how to root android, how to use “Share with environment” feature on android or how to remove virus on android.

What does it mean that an application is of unknown origin?

This means that it is not tested and distributed through Google Play. Epic Games and the Amazon Appstore are great examples: both are provided by their respective developers and are therefore not available on the Play Store. They are not dangerous, they are simply not controlled and financially connected to Google.

However, any app you download will have an APK extension, short for Android Package Kit. This “kit” includes the installer and the app in question. To run the installer, you just need to click on it.

Keep your device safe

Since this is software that you install, it is not recommended to download Android apps from unknown repositories. You have no idea what is hidden inside these untested “sets”. Hidden malware can infect your device, steal your information, and even seize your data for ransom if things escalate.

However, downloading apps from outside the Play Store is not an inevitable danger. The Play Store has a security system to limit problematic and possibly malicious apps, as well as a built-in Android scanner: Play Protect. It not only scans the app before downloading it, but it also checks the downloaded apps that you have already installed.

Play Protect is usually enabled by default, but to check this you can do the following:

Step 1: open app Game Store.

Step 2: click on the button Menu in the top left corner.

Step 3: press play defense.

Step 4: click gear icon located in the upper right corner. This will open the Play Protect settings.

Step 5: check that option Improves malware detection activated. Option Scan apps with Play Protect must also be enabled.

For added protection, consider installing an Android security app to reduce the risk of malware infection. The bottom line is that downloading apps outside of the official market can be risky. do not download Programs from unknown sources, only from developers you know.

With that said, we can now prepare your Android for side loading.

How to install an Android app outside the Play Store

Enable “unknown origin”

By default, your Android device does not allow you to install apps distributed outside of their authorized stores: Google Play on Pixel phones, Google Play and Galaxy Store on Samsung phones, and Amazon Appstore on Kindle tablets. Because manufacturers tend to customize the Android operating system for their devices, you can’t use the same set of instructions. Therefore, we present three examples.

Google

These instructions are for “pure” Android, as seen on Nexus products, Pixel products, and various phones running Android One.

Android 8.0 and above

Step 1: open settings.

Step 2: go to Applications and notifications.

Step 3: touch advanced to expand settings.

Step 4: Choose Access to special applications.

Step 5: touch Install unknown apps.

Step 6: select original applicationlike Chrome.

Step 7: tap the switch next to Allow from this source to enable download.

Android 7.0 Nougat and earlier

Step 1: open settings.

Step 2: touch Safety.

Step 3: select the radio button next to unknown sources to activate this feature. It appears in Device Administration.

Step 4: press Accept if any window appears that asks for your confirmation.

Samsung

Although Samsung uses Android, it modifies the interface so the instructions are different. The screenshots shown above are from the latest version from October 2020.

Android 8.0 Oreo and above

Step 1: open Parameter.

Step 2: Choose Biometrics and Security.

Step 3: touch Install unknown apps.

Step 4: select the trusted app you want to install the APK from, such as Chrome or My Files.

Step 5: tap the switch next to Allow from this source to enable download.

Android 7.0 Nougat and earlier

Step 1: Open settings.

Step 2: Choose Safety.

Step 3: tap the switch next to unknown sources to activate this feature. He appears in device management.

Step 4: touch Accept in a popup window.

Amazon

Like Samsung, Amazon uses a different interface, so it has a slightly different set of instructions.

Latest Kindle Fire Tablets

Step 1: open Parameter.

Step 2: Choose security and privacy.

Step 3: tap the switch next to Applications from unknown sources to enable download.

Old Kindle Fire tablets

Step 1: touch Further to access the dashboard Parameter.

Step 2: Choose Device.

Step 3: touch the button Activated Near Allow app installation.

Step 4: click on the button Accept in a popup window.

How to find the APK file on your phone

Typically, Android users download APK files through a web browser or marketplace. For example, Amazon provides a link to its Appstore app stored in its cloud. If you touch the yellow button Get the Amazon App Store on the website, it will be downloaded to the default folder on your device, which is usually downloads. You can find this folder using the following applications:

  • Google: Files
  • Samsung: My files or files
  • LG: File manager or files
  • Lenovo: Downloads or files

Third party providers such as Epic Game and Amazon Appstore typically download the APK file, install the app, and then remove the download. So you don’t have to deal with the APK file yourself, which is good.

If you’re having trouble finding downloaded APKs on your device, you can install a free file management app. A couple of good examples are ASTRO File Manager and Cx File Explorer.

How to install apk

After following the steps, you will be able to click on the downloaded APK to install it. Otherwise, the original application may need permission to install the download. On devices running Android 8.0 Oreo and later, you can grant permission as follows:

Step 1: tap icon settings when prompted.

Step 2: touch Allow from this source.

Step 3: click on the button Back to start the installation.

If you have an old device, enable the option unknown sources install the application outside the store.

put everything in order

After installing the app, find the downloaded APK file and delete it so that it doesn’t take up space on your phone. If you don’t think you’re going to download any other apps, go to the app you used to install the download and disable this option. Allow from this source. On devices running Android 7.0 Nougat and earlier, turn off unknown sources.

Source: Digital Trends

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