How To Install Android Apk File

Android is an open-source platform and, thus, you have more options than y'all do with something similar iOS. One of those freedoms is the ability to install third-party apps from exterior of the Google Play Store. Information technology'south not a practice nosotros recommend because the Play Store has then many security measures. Withal, for whatever reason, you desire to install something from somewhere else. We can definitely all the same help with that.

There are two ways to install third-party apps without the Google Play Shop. The first is through third-political party app stores like F-Droid, Amazon's App Store, and others. The 2d method is finding APKs from websites and manually installing them. We will go over both methods in this tutorial.

A photo of the install permissions in Android Pie

How to install APKs

Another popular thing to do is install APKs from websites. This is, by far, the nigh dangerous manner to install apps. However, there are a few sites where we don't mind recommending information technology, including APKMirror. The process is quite easy and you shouldn't take too many problems doing it.

A photo of Android Pie's permission dialog

This is how APK installations expect on Android Oreo and higher.

Android 8.0 Oreo and afterward

Google changed how APK installations work in Android 8.0 Oreo. It hasn't changed much since. This is how to install APKs on all modern versions of Android:

Download the APK y'all desire to install.
You can either navigate to your Download folder using a file browser app or but begin the install past clicking on the completed download in your mobile browser.
Android volition ask you lot to grant permission to either the file browser or your web browser to install the app. Grant the permission and it should bounce you dorsum to the installation screen. If not, navigate dorsum to your Download folder afterwards granting the permission to effort again.
The app should exist safely installed.

It will piece of work like any other app you download. You can find the icon in the app drawer, open the app, and do any. There are some apps that may non install on your device due to compatibility reasons. Many apps with Cyberspace permissions may hound you to download the latest version on the Google Play Shop before it'll permit you use the app. At that place isn't much you can do about that if it happens.

A photo of the installation app permission

Install from Unknown Sources method (old method)

Before Android Oreo, users had to enable the Install from Unknown Sources setting to install third-political party APKs on their devices. The process otherwise remains mostly the same.

Download the APK y'all desire to install.
Navigate to your telephone settings menu then to the security settings. Enable the Install from Unknown Sources option.
Use a file browser and navigate to your download binder. Tap the APK to brainstorm the installation process.
The app should safely install.

Everything nosotros said earlier still applies hither. Some apps may simply not install for compatibility reasons and apps may hound you to go the updated version from the Play Store before it lets you use the app. This method merely works on devices running versions of Android older than Android Oreo.

A photo of Amazon's Appstore starting up

Third political party app stores

Third party apps stores are another popular way to get apps without the Play Store. In that location are a few good ones, including F-Droid for you open source fans out there and Amazon's App Store is decent besides. You tin can check out our list of the best 3rd party app stores by clicking hither.

Choose the third political party app store y'all desire and download the APK.
Follow the steps higher up to install the APK to your device.
Once the store is installed, open it up and surf for whatsoever apps yous want. Download and install them equally you would whatever other app store.
On devices running Android Oreo or higher, brand sure you grant the app store permission to install apps to avoid issues. Those on older versions of Android demand to brand sure the Install from Unknown Sources option or installs will fail.

You should be able to open your new tertiary party app store, download apps, and install them without worries. To be frank, most apps you find on most tertiary party apps stores are bachelor in the Play Shop anyway. All the same, there are some exclusives here and there. Plus, F-Droid in particular is a not bad place for some power user tools and stuff similar that.