How to download Android apps without Google Play Store

Main points

• Android has its own Play Store, but with some modifications, you can also install apps from outside the official app store.
• Third-party app stores like Aptoide provide alternatives for app selection on Android devices.
• Installing the APK file yourself or using installer software allows for better application selection and customization.

Compared with Apple’s iOS, one of Android’s biggest and most well-known advantages has always been the openness of the system. Not only is it more flexible and can be used on a variety of devices from payment terminals to smartphones, but even within the smartphone realm it offers more options than Apple’s walled garden.

One of the most important features for the average user is the ability to install apps from outside Google’s own Play Store. This was a prominent point in the recent antitrust lawsuit that implicated Apple, and why Google has never dealt with such an issue.

So while installing apps from outside the App Store on an iPhone is difficult and time-consuming, it’s a breeze when you’re using an Android phone. Additionally, you have complete freedom to install apps yourself, or you can download, install and use third-party app stores similar to the Google Play Store with their own selection of apps, games and tools.

Having said that, here’s how you can install apps from outside the Google Play Store on your Android device.

Install third-party app stores

For example, use Aptoide instead of Play Store

One of the easiest ways to download apps to your phone from outside the Google Play Store is to use an alternative app store. This may sound daunting, but if you have a Samsung phone, you already do it every day—Samsung Stores are one example.

There are probably thousands of third-party app stores out there, but aside from Samsung or Amazon’s app stores (which are affiliated with the manufacturers of certain devices), this is one of the most popular (which I’ll cover in The app store used here as a showcase) is Aptod.

Keep in mind that this is not a recommendation to use this app store in any way – it does not guarantee the same level of protection as the Google Play Store – but it is a popular choice with thousands of apps to choose from, some of which This content is not readily available using Google’s solution. Therefore, you need to do the following to install a third-party app store and use it to install apps:

1. Go to the app store website and download the APK file (in our case Aptoide.com). It’s best to do this on your phone so you don’t have to transfer the files from your PC to your smartphone after downloading.
2. Go to the Files app on your phone And find the Aptoide APK file. If you have downloaded it to your phone, it should be in the Downloads folder.
3. Click on the APK file Start the installation process.
4. A pop-up window will appear asking you if you want to install the app. Click to install Go on.
5. Optional: Your installation may be interrupted by the Google Play Protect system. If this happens, and you are sure that the application you want to install is safe (and you understand the risks of installing applications from unknown sources), Click for more details Expand the window and then Click Install Anyway.
6. The application will start installing and after some time, you should see a pop-up telling you that the installation is complete.
7. You can now open third-party app stores.
8. Use the app store Just like you would in the Google Play Store – just click on the app you want to install and click Install. The App Store will handle the rest.
9. Many third-party app stores also allow you to install older versions of apps, so you may want to use this feature to roll back your installation if you encounter compatibility issues.

Install the app yourself

Find .apk files online

If you don’t want to rely on an app store at all, whether it’s Google or any other developer, you can also find the .apk file online and install it yourself.

The process used to be very simple, as Android apps were compiled into .apk files that you could just run and install. Nowadays, newer applications are starting to use Android App Bundle, and their installation process requires the use of installer software.

Having said that, the process is still very simple and only takes a few minutes from start to finish.

How to install the .apk file and get the app

Installing an .apk file is as easy as ever, all you need is your phone and a browser, or if you don’t download the .apk file from your phone, you’ll also need a Files app.

1. Download .apk file your choice.
2. If you do this in your browser you will be asked to automatically open the file after downloading, so click Open.
3. If not, or you transferred the files from your PC, go to your document application and find the .apk file of your choice.
4. Click it to get started Install.
5. A pop-up window will appear asking you if you want to install the app.tap Install Go on.
6. (Optional) Your installation may be interrupted by the Google Play Protect system. If this happens, and you’re sure the app you want to install is safe (and you know the risks of installing apps from unknown sources), click “More details” to expand the window, then click “Install anyway.”
7. The application will start installing and after some time you should see a pop-up telling you that the installation is complete.
8. you can now Use the app normally.

You may have noticed that the steps are basically the same as installing a third-party app store. This is because the third-party app store is also just an .apk application, so using it also requires installing the .apk package first.

Install apk bundle using installer software

If the app you want to download is in an Android app bundle, you’ll need installer software to run it. Fortunately, solutions like APKMirror Installer are free and available on the Google Play Store and website, so you can get them easily.

1. Download the Android application package your choice.
2. Download package installer – We will use APKMirror, which can be found on the Play Store or directly from the developer’s website.
3. Open the APKMirror app on your phone.
4. In the application, Click to browse the file.
5. Then, Find application files you want to install. If you downloaded it to your phone, it should be in the Downloads folder.
6. Click on the application container you want to install.
7. In the pop-up window, Click to open on APKMirror.
8. When the file is loaded, Click to install the application.
9. Wait for the application to install.
10. Confirm installation When the pop-up asks you, click Install.
11. After installing the app, you can Close APKMirroror Click to open the application Start using your new software.

Get your Android device ready

For applications from unknown sources

No matter which method you choose to install apps from outside the Google Play Store, you’ll need to make one more adjustment. Normally, your phone does not allow unknown apps to be installed – this is a security feature designed to prevent malware from sneaking into your phone. You need to change this setting to continue the installation.

Luckily, it’s easy and the phone will prompt you for the necessary permissions during the installation process, even if you don’t do it beforehand. However, if you want to be prepared before starting the installation, follow these steps to enable the installation of applications from unknown sources:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Click on the application menu.
3. Scroll down and select Special App Access.
4. Scroll down again and select Install Unknown App.
5. Here, you will be able to choose which apps are allowed to install apps from unknown sources.
6. Click on application You want to allow the installation of unknown applications (usually your Files app or browser).
7. toggle switch Set Allow from this source to On.

FAQ

Q: Why should I download apps from outside the Play Store?

There are many reasons to install apps from outside the Google Play Store.

First, you probably don’t have access to the app store. For example, Amazon’s Fire devices don’t come with Google services by default, so if you want to access software that’s not available in Amazon’s store, you’ll need to install the app some other way.

The second reason is to get different versions of the app. Sometimes, a new update removes a feature you need or just breaks an app, and you don’t want to wait for a bug fix. Install an older version via an .apk file and you can get back to using it instantly.

Finally, you may want to install apps that are not available on the Play Store. Whether they’re betas, apps that don’t comply with the Play Store terms and conditions for any reason, or just standalone apps that haven’t been released on the platform, installing them directly from the developer is often the easiest way to get them running.