Every Android users knows that Google Play Store is the safest and simplest way to download and install Android apps, but sometimes you need to install some apps from other unknown sources because some apps are not found on Google Play Store. Or perhaps, the app is not available in your local version of the Play Store. Check out more details how to get such apps.
You need to shuffle some of your settings buried inside Android security menus.
- Head to Settings
- Then Security and lock screen or on other devices this might just be called Security
- Check ‘Allow installation from unknown sources“, as shown below.
By toggling this, you can now download and install APK files outside Google Play Store. Usually, if you’re prompted to allow installation of files from unknown sources while actually trying to install one, a pop up will ask you if you want to allow just this installation, or to allow them by default.
By default this unknown sources option is disabled because it unsafe to download various APKs from internet to install on your phone. This guide is contradicting to this default settings provided that you trust the location where your apps are coming from.
How To Install Apps Without Google Play Store
If you do think that the app is useful, then just scan the app before installation providing another potential line of defense.
In fact by doing this, you are opening the door for malicious or malware apps silently in background. But it is recommended that allow the unknown sources on a case-by-case basis to minimize the risk.
At this point, you have to know that where you download your APK from. For instance like downloading WhatsApp from outside the Play Store, whereas WhatsApp offers its own page for direct download that you can either download WhatsApp directly to your device or visit on a desktop and then transfer the APK file to your device.
The moment the APK is downloaded, from app drawer check out the Downloads and select the downloaded APK file. You just need to tap on that to start the installation process, and sometimes, you will ask to allow the app permissions to continue.
You can check the more trusted app repositories like APKMirror to download the apps from outside the Google Play Store, the apps on this repository use the same digital signatures as the apps on Google Play.
