Obtaining Android apps outside of the Google Play Store can be a mixed bag. While Android offers the flexibility to install most apps, you must be cautious about where you get these files.
Additionally, some popular devices, such as the Amazon Fire tablet, aren’t pre-installed with the Play Store.
One solution is to use a third-party library and app installer to obtain the desired version. This requires adjustments and workarounds, but you have plenty of versatile options that are safe.
Play Store apps are vetted for the latest Android platform. Older app versions may be removed because they pose a security risk or no longer work properly.
Apps that aren’t on the Play Store may have bugs or malware.
Prepare your Android device for third-party app installations
First, you’ll need to adjust a few settings on your Android phone to prevent it from blocking attempts to download an app from an unrecognized source.
The steps are similar across most Android devices, but may differ significantly across major Android versions or device manufacturers.
In this example, we used a Samsung Galaxy and verified that the steps work with One UI 6.1 and One UI 7 (based on Android 14 and Android 15).
The exact steps to activate “Install unknown apps” may vary slightly depending on your Android version (for example, Android 8.0 Oreo and above manage permissions per app) and device manufacturer (such as Samsung or Google Pixel).
Always look for “Security & Privacy,” “Apps & Notifications,” or “Special App Access” in your device settings to locate this option.
- On your Android device, swipe down and select the cog icon to access Settings.
- Scroll down and select Security and privacy.
- Select More security settings.
- Select Install unknown apps.
- Select the app you’ll use to install files and select it. It could be a browser, an installer app you recently downloaded (more on this below), or a similar option.
- Select Allow from this source.
You don’t have to change these settings if you download APKMirror or another third-party app store from the Play Store.
However, after searching these stores for apps, revisit these settings and make sure the correct permissions are activated.
If you download from a website, give your browser permission.
How to share and install apps using peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing
P2P technology is a great alternative for transferring and installing apps between devices, eliminating the need for Google Play. In this arrangement, you can share apps with others without an intermediary.
This method is useful when you have limited internet access or when you want to share an app with a friend who cannot access it through conventional means.
Popular P2P file-sharing apps, such as SHAREit, transfer file types, including apps, between devices.
The steps below demonstrate how to send and receive apps using SHAREit Lite.
- Install and open SHAREit Lite on the sender’s and receiver’s devices from the Google Play or App Store.
- Tap Send to make your device discoverable.
- Navigate to the App tab and select the app you want to transfer.
- Tap Send to initiate the transfer process.
- On the other device, tap Receive.
- Scan your QR code on the receiver’s end to connect, or tap the sender’s avatar to establish a connection.
- When connected, the app transfers. SHAREIt saves the app on the other device.
- When completed, the selected app downloads to your device’s internal storage and is ready to be installed.
- Open your phone’s file manager and navigate to the SHAREit folder, where all received files are typically stored.
- Depending on how SHAREit organizes the files on your device, open the Received folder or look for .apk files.
- Tap the file to initiate the installation process. If prompted by your device settings, you may need to allow installation from unknown sources.
Downloading apps from third-party libraries
While you can download apps from the Google Play Store and Samsung’s store, you can also download apps from third-party app stores.
We use APKMirror for our example because it’s reliable and runs important security and compatibility checks on apps to make this process smoother.
However, you can choose other popular stores like APKPure, Aptoide, F-Droid, or TapTap. The steps are similar across apps.
You can sideload many Android apps without using a third-party installer, but that’s changing. With the rise of “bundling” and split APKs, the original APK format is no longer the default choice for some app developers.
APKs are still popular, but Google Play enforces the use of the Android App Bundles format by default for new apps.
APKMirror Installer supports all app file formats, including APKs, so you can safely install your apps.
- Download the APKMirror Installer app from Google Play or the official APKMirror website.
- Open your browser, visit APKMirror, and search for an app you want to install on your Android device.
- Search for apps by APK, app, or developer.
- Choose your preferred version or the latest non-beta release.
- Tap the Download icon to the right of the app you want.
- If multiple versions are available, research to determine the appropriate version for your device.
- Tap the Download arrow to the right for the app variant you want to install.
- Tap Download APK Bundle or Download APK.
- If prompted, accept the warning to proceed if you trust APKMirror as a source.
- The app you selected downloads to your device’s internal storage and is ready to be installed.
The installation may fail if you download the wrong version. If an app installs regardless of the selected variant, it may function properly but exhibit strange text or display issues.
If this happens, download the correct version for your device and try the process again.
How to open and install downloaded app files on Android
After downloading the file, you’ll open it to install it on your device. There are a few choices, and all lead to the same place.
Check out the following steps to open your downloaded app:
- Use a file manager to open the Downloads folder on your device.
- Open the file with APKMirror Installer to proceed with the installation.
- Tap Allow from this source to grant APKMirror the necessary storage permissions and select Install to continue the installation process.
- Wait for the app to install. Sometimes, compatibility problems or other issues may occur. If you receive a warning, try a different app version.
- Test a few features to ensure everything functions properly and the app does not crash.
Not all apps available on the Play Store will be available on third-party stores, and some apps might not function correctly if they rely heavily on Google Play Services.
Why you might need third-party app sources for Android
Google sometimes removes apps from Google Play based on content, functionality, or to comply with local laws.
Sometimes, apps are kicked to the curb for legitimate and valid reasons, like containing malware or violating user privacy, but that is only sometimes the case.
For better or worse, Android gives you the freedom (and associated responsibility) to get your apps anywhere you like.
Another reason you might consider downloading apps from third-party sources is that some apps aren’t available on Google Play. They might be limited or censored in certain areas, making them inaccessible.
Think about the previous TikTok ban in the US. That’s a perfect example of why you might need a third-party app source.
Remember that the act of downloading an APK file isn’t illegal, but it can lead to unethical practices.
Downloading paid apps outside the Play Store for free could deprive developers of their income and is not recommended.
Enjoy the freedom to choose apps outside the Google Play Store
One reason we love Android is the freedom to choose. Google runs the show when it comes to app stores, but we have other options.
Many independent app stores offer a more intuitive UI and better-organized categories.
Install a security program when downloading from third-party app stores to protect your device from malware.
