Android OS users can install APK from outside the Play Store. But many don't know how to do that, if you are one of those people, this article is for you. Understand what an APK is, how to install it without using the Google Play Store, and whether or not there are risks of installing it this way!
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What is apk?
First to answer is, what is an APK, or rather an APK file? Well, APK is the acronym for Android Application Pack (Package of Applications for Android, in free translation). It's called an APK file, precisely because .apk is the name of the package that installs apps on Android. Similar to what happens with Windows, where the files that install programs on the OS end in .exe or .msi.
It's nothing more than the Android App Installer, compressed in APK format! The name APK can be strange to many people, since installations using the Play Store do not show the name of the processes that are happening, not even the name of the file used in the installation.
How to Install APK on Android
Installing an APK, that is, an application on Android is the simplest thing there is, after all, who has never downloaded an application from the Play Store? The Play Store is nothing more than the official Android application store, organized and managed by Google, which is also responsible for the creation of Android.
Some apps are already pre-installed on your smartphone, so you just need to update it using the Play Store. Unless auto-update is active, so you don't need to worry about anything.
But APK's aren't just installed by the Play Store, there are ways to do external installations, or using other app stores. But natively, the device only allows installations from the Play Store. So it is necessary before trying to install applications from outside it, give permission on the Device, check below how to give permission.
Install APK without Play Store
The process to install an APK on Android without the Play Store consists of 2 parts. One is that you need to have the APK file to install, so you need to download it. An example of a place where you can download apk safely is apkmirror. The second part is that you need to enable the smartphone to allow the installation of applications other than through the Play Store. This step only needs to be done once. Check below how to enable installation from unknown sources:
Step 1: Go to your Smartphone's settings: on newer devices, in the settings there is a search box, if this is your case type: "Install Unknown Apps", "Unknown sources". Some devices will only bring you a box to allow or deny, if you allow it. Some, on the other hand, will bring a list of smartphone applications, look for your browser for example Chrome (where the APKs will usually be downloaded) and give it permission. If your device does not have a search box, use step 2.
Step 2: The path will vary from device to device, so I will list some of the most popular ones below:
- Settings > Privacy > Manage > Special App Access > Install Unknown Apps > give browser permission.
- In Settings > Apps & Notifications > Advanced > Special Access > give the browser permission.
- Settings > Additional Settings > Install Applications from External Sources.
Anyway, the path can vary a lot from device to device, but in general this permission is either in the Privacy, Applications or Security settings! Just take a look.
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Why Learn to Install Apps outside the Play Store?
Okay, you might be wondering, “But why would I want to download an app when I can do it right from the Play Store?”. The answer is simpler than it sounds, you won't always be able to find the apps you want in the Google Play Store!
But that's not the only reason, another good example of its usefulness is… An application received an update on the Play Store, but it wasn't very compatible with your device, not working as it used to. You then decide to return the application to the previous version, but this is not possible through the Play Store. Therefore, you download the APK from a repository of the old version, and re-install the version that worked best on your smartphone.
Is it Safe to Install APK from “Third Parties”?
Any APK installation on the smartphone that is not performed by the Google Play Store is considered as, “From Other Sources”, or "Third Party". And there is a reason that the system by default only supports installations made by her. After all, the Play Store verifies all the applications that are there, guaranteeing a minimum of security for those who install them.
And that doesn't exist, for example, on some sites that store APKs, including apps that are paid for on the Play Store. They are just application libraries, they do not search the APKs that will be installed on smartphones, so it could be that malicious applications are installed, and in the worst case, your data will be stolen and your smartphone damaged.
However, this does not exactly mean that just because an application was installed other than through the Play Store that it will necessarily be harmful to the device. And yes, you need to be more attentive and careful when downloading. Be very careful with the font, and only install apps from trusted sources, and you will never have headaches.
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