How to download Android apps without using Google Play Store

Important points

• Android has its own Play Store, but with a little ingenuity, you can also install apps from outside the official app store.
• Third-party app stores such as Aptoide provide alternative options for selecting apps on your Android device.
• Installing the APK file yourself or using the installer software gives you more app selection and customization.

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

One of the most important features for casual users is the ability to install apps from outside of Google’s own Play Store. This is also a key point in the recent antitrust case involving Apple, and why Google has never had to deal with such issues.

So while installing apps from outside the App Store on an iPhone can be very difficult and time-consuming, it’s easy if you’re using an Android smartphone. Additionally, you are completely free to install apps yourself or download, install, and use third-party app stores that function similarly to the Google Play Store with apps, games, and tools of your own choice.

That being said, here’s how to install apps on your Android device from outside of the Google Play Store.

Install a third-party app store

For example, use Aptoide instead of Play Store.

One of the easiest ways to get apps other than Google Play Store on your phone is to use alternative app stores. This may sound daunting, but if you use a Samsung phone, for example, you’re already doing it on a daily basis. Samsung Store is one example.

There are probably thousands of third-party app stores out there, but this one is one of the most popular, apart from Samsung and Amazon’s app stores, which are affiliated with specific device manufacturers. This is the store). It’s an aptoid.

This is not an endorsement of the use of this app store in any way. Note that while it does not guarantee the same level of protection as the Google Play Store, it is a popular choice and has thousands of apps to choose from. These are not readily available when using Google’s solutions. So, to install a third-party app store and use it to install apps, you need to do the following:

1. Visit the app store website Download the APK file (in this case, Aptoide.com). It’s best to do this on your phone so you don’t have to transfer the file from your PC to your smartphone after downloading.
2. Go to your phone’s Files app Locate the Aptoide APK file. If you downloaded it to your phone, it should be in your downloads folder.
3. Tap on the APK file Click to start the installation process.
4. A pop-up window will appear asking if you want to install the app. Tap “Install” continue.
5. Optional: The installation may be interrupted by the Google Play Protect system. If that happens to you and you are confident that the apps you are installing are safe (and you understand the risks of installing apps from unknown sources), Tap “More details” After enlarging the window, Tap Install anyway.
6. The app will begin installing, and after a while a pop-up will appear indicating that the installation is complete.
7. Now you can open the third-party app store.
8. Use the app store Just like the Google Play Store, just tap the app you want to install and tap Install. The app store will take care of 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 have compatibility issues.

install the app yourself

Find .apk files online

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

This process was very easy as all Android apps were compiled into .apk files and were easy to run and install. Recently, new apps have started using Android app bundles and require the use of installer software for the installation process.

That being said, the process is still very easy and takes less than a few minutes from start to finish.

How to get apps by installing .apk files

Installing the .apk file is as easy as always, all you need is your phone and a browser. If you don’t want to download .apk files from your phone, you’ll also need the Files app.

1. Download the .apk file of your choice.
2. If you do it in your browser, you will be automatically prompted to open the file after downloading. Open.
3. If not, or if you transferred the file from your PC, File app and find the .apk file of your choice.
4. Tap to start install.
5. A pop-up window will appear asking if you want to install the app.tap install continue.
6. (Optional) The installation may be interrupted by the Google Play Protect system. If such a situation occurs and you are sure that the app you are trying to install is safe (and you know the risks of installing an app from an unknown source),[詳細]Tap to expand the window and[とにかくインストール]Tap.
7. The app will begin installing, and after a while a pop-up will appear informing you that the installation is complete.
8. It’s possible now Use the app as usual.

As you may have noticed, this step is essentially the same as installing a third-party app store. This is because the third-party app store is also just an .apk application, so to use it you must first also install the .apk package.

Install the APK bundle using the installer software

If the app you want to download is included in an Android App Bundle, you’ll need installer software to run it. Fortunately, solutions such as the APKMirror installer are free and available on the Google Play Store and website, making it very easy to obtain.

1. Download the Android app bundle of your choice.
2. Download the package installer – Uses APKMirror. APKMirror is available directly from the Play Store and the developer’s website.
3. Open the APK Mirror app On your mobile phone.
4. In the app, Tap “Browse for File”.
5. after that, find app files What you want to install. If you downloaded it to your phone, it should be in your downloads folder.
6. Tap on the app container What you want to install.
7. In the pop-up window, Tap “Open with APKMirror”.
8. Once the file is loaded, Tap “Install app”.
9. Wait until the app is installed.
10. Verify installation When a pop-up window appears,[インストール]Tap.
11. Once you have installed the app, you can do one of the following Close APK mirroror Tap “Open app” To start using your new software,

Prepare your Android device

For apps from unknown sources

No matter which of these methods you choose to install apps from outside the Google Play Store, you’ll need to make one more adjustment. Your phone usually does not allow you to install unknown apps. This is a security feature designed to prevent malicious software from entering your phone. You must change this setting to continue with the installation.

Fortunately, this is easy and your phone will prompt you for the necessary permissions during the installation process, even if you haven’t done so beforehand. But if you want to be prepared before you start installing, here’s how to enable app installation from unknown sources.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap the app menu.
3. Scroll down and select “Special app access”.
4. Scroll down again and select “Install unknown apps”.
5. Here you can choose which apps you want to allow to install apps from unknown sources.
6. Tap on the app What you want to allow unknown apps to install (usually Files apps or browsers).
7. toggle toggle Turn on permissions from this source.

FAQ

Q: Why download apps from outside the Play Store?

There are various reasons for installing apps from outside the Google Play Store.

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

The second reason is to get different builds or versions of the app. If a new update removes a feature you want or simply breaks your app, you may not want to wait for a bug fix. You can install an older version through an .apk file and get back to using it right away.

Finally, you can also install apps that are not available on the Play Store. Whether it’s a beta build, an app that doesn’t meet the Play Store’s terms of service for some reason, or just an indie app that hasn’t been released on the platform, you’ll often get it directly from the developer. The easiest way to do this is to install it.