Over the years, Google has been introducing important improvements to to maximise security and your enjoyment. in the operating system Android. And one of these security systems is, precisely, the blocking of apps that do not come from the Google Play Store. However, users have the option to install an APK file from any source, but for this they have to carry out a special procedure. It is not only download APKs outside the Play Store, but also do its installation.
Google Play Store is the official Google application store for Android. And it has its own 'filter' of applications so that malware does not sneak in –although sometimes it happens- and an automatic antivirus. The Mountain View firm considers that its app store is the safest way to get applications. However, if we have a APK file, we can to install on a tablet or an Android mobile. You just have to know how to configure the device to install APK files that come from outside the Google Play Store. And no, it is not a complicated process.
How to install any downloaded APK file on Android, even if it does not come from the Google Play Store
On your Android device, access the app Settings and access the section Security. Within it you should find the section Install unknown apps, which is the text with which the option appears in the latest versions of Android. Once we enter here we will find a list of applications, all the ones we have installed on our smartphone. And all of them can be configured so that they have permission to install APK applications on the device. However, it doesn't make sense to do it with all of them –and it would be a security risk-, so we will do it with just a few.
The web browser, for example, makes sense to have permission because we can download APKs from it and install. So, as in the example, we would only have to click on Google Chrome –for instance- and, when displayed, move the switch to activate the installation of applications from that source. If we have an alternative to Google Play Store installed, such as Aptoide, for example, then we would do exactly the same thing we just did with Chrome.
We will proceed exactly the same with all those applications that can become a installation source or downloading and installing applications, as is the case of the Google Chrome web browser.
The best repositories to download APK files
We have mentioned some before, but basically a repository is a collection in which applications and games can be downloaded outside of the big G, which practically all of them are free, even old apps or those that are not allowed to enter the Play Store. There are some of them that are quite popular and supported by the community:
Aptoide
It is not a typical store, but rather it allows you to download all the applications and games it houses for free, in addition to being an opportunity to upload developments that may not materialize in the Play Store. Its operation is completely legal, although the replacements that we find from some developers are not so legal, which they are nothing more than imitations or apps with viruses.
On the other hand, it has its own app, which has undergone several changes in its interface to make it more intuitive, more personalized and with less wear on both the battery and the processor, due to lower consumption. That is why many users have preferred to use Aptoide as a way to download apps.
[BrandedLink url = »https://aptoide.es.aptoide.com/app»] Download Aptoide APK [/ BrandedLink]
APKMirror
It is another repository of applications and games that has several advantages that allow it to be one of the largest platforms on the internet. Furthermore, over the years, developers have managed to implement it on Android, which makes it much easier to use on smartphones. In addition, it has a very noticeable component with everything related to the to maximise security and your enjoyment. in downloading applications.
[BrandedLink url = »https://www.apkmirror.com/»] Enter the apkmirror website [/ BrandedLink]
The store has a huge selection of applications available, so we can find what we are looking for. In addition, independent developers are greatly supported, with applications open source, since the utility is awarded more than the name of the developer.
It is curious that despite operating outside the Play Store, APKMirror has an official application that is hosted within the Google store. This is an installer, so it should not be confused with a repository. Is called APKMirror Installer, and it is an app that is still in early access, so it is awaiting further improvements.
This installer takes care of detect APK files to install them in the terminal automatically. It scans all the files with that extension in the storage and in the "Browse Files" option we will find all the available ones to install. It even shows details like the files version or its name.