How to download Android apps without Google Play Store

Key operations

• Android has its own Play Store, but with a little tinkering, you can also install apps outside of the official app store.
• Third-party app stores like Aptoide provide alternative options for selecting apps on Android devices.
• Installing APK files yourself or using the installer allows for greater selection and customization of apps.

One of the biggest, 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 in a variety of devices from payment terminals to smartphones, but even within the realm of smartphones it offers far more options than Apple’s walled garden.

One of the most important features for regular users is the ability to install apps outside of Google’s own Play Store. This is also a significant point in the latest antitrust lawsuit involving Apple, and the reason why Google never had to deal with such an issue.

So, while installing apps outside of the App Store is very difficult and time-consuming on an iPhone, it’s easy when you’re using an Android phone. What’s more, you’re completely free to install apps yourself or download, install, and use third-party app stores that work just like the Google Play Store, with your own selection of apps, games, and tools.

That said, here’s how you can install apps from outside the Google Play store on your Android devices.

Install a third-party app store

For example, use Aptoide instead of the Play Store

One of the easiest ways to download apps outside of the Google Play store to your phone is to use an alternative app store. This may sound scary, but if you use, for example, a Samsung phone, you already do this on a daily basis – the Samsung Store is an example of this.

There are probably thousands of third-party app stores out there, but aside from Samsung or Amazon, which are affiliated with specific device manufacturers, one of the most popular (and the one I’ll use as a showcase here) is Aptoide.

Note that this is not a recommendation to use this app store by any means — 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 not readily available when using Google’s solution. So, here’s what you need to do to install a third-party app store and install apps using it:

1. Go to the app store website and download the APK file (in our case it’s Aptoide.com). It’s best to do this on your phone so you don’t have to deal with transferring the file from your computer to your smartphone after downloading.
2. Go to the Files app on your phone and find the Aptoide APK file. If you downloaded it to your phone, it should be in your Downloads folder.
3. Tap the APK file to start the installation process.
4. A pop-up will appear asking if you want to install the app. Tap Install continue.
5. OPTIONAL: Your installation may be interrupted by the Google Play Protect system. If this happens, and you’re sure the app you’re installing is safe (and you understand the risks of installing apps from unknown sources), tap More details to expand the window and then tap Install Anyway.
6. The app will start the installation, and after a while you should get a pop-up saying that the installation is complete.
7. You can now open the third-party app store.
8. Use the app store just like you would in the Google Play Store – simply tap the app you want to install, then 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 if you’re having compatibility issues, you might want to use this feature to roll back your installation.

Install the apps yourself

Find .apk files online

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

The process used to be incredibly simple, as all Android apps were compiled into .apk files, which you could simply run and install. Nowadays, newer apps are starting to use Android App Bundles, which need to use the installer software for the installation process.

That said, the process is still extremely simple and won’t take you more than a few minutes from start to finish.

How to install .apk files and download apps

Installing .apk files is as easy as ever, all you need is your phone and a browser, and if you’re not downloading .apk files from your phone, you’ll also need the Files app.

1. Download the .apk file by your choice.
2. If you do this in your browser, you’ll be prompted to open the file automatically after downloading, so tap Open.
3. If not, or you downloaded the file from your computer, go to yours Files app and find the .apk file of your choice.
4. Tap to start assembly.
5. A pop-up will appear asking if you want to install the app. Touch Install continue.
6. (OPTIONAL) Your installation may be interrupted by the Google Play Protect system. If this happens, and you’re sure the app you’re installing is safe (and you know the risks of installing apps from unknown sources), tap More details to expand the window, then tap Install Anyway.
7. The application will start the installation and after a while you should get a pop-up saying that the installation is complete.
8. Now you can use the app as usual.

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 app, so using it also involves installing the .apk package first.

Install the apk packages using the installer

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

1. Download the Android App Bundle by your choice.
2. Download the package installer – we will use APKMirror, which is available in the Play Store and directly from the developer’s website.
3. Open the APKMirror app on your phone.
4. In the app, tap Browse files.
5. Then, find application files that you want to install. If you downloaded it to your phone, it should be in your Downloads folder.
6. Tap the app container that you want to install.
7. In a pop-up window tap Open on APKMirror.
8. When the files are loaded, tap Install App.
9. Wait for the application to install.
10. Confirm the installation when prompted by the popup tap Install.
11. Once the app is installed, you can do both close APKMirroror tap Open app to start using your new software.

Prepare your Android device

For applications from unknown sources

Whichever of these ways you choose to install apps outside of the Google Play Store, you’ll need to make one more adjustment. Your phone usually doesn’t allow installation of unknown apps — it’s a security feature designed to prevent malware from sneaking onto your phone. You will need to change this setting to continue with the installation.

Fortunately, it’s easy, and even if you haven’t done it before, your phone will ask for the necessary permissions during the installation process. However, if you want to be prepared before starting the installation, here’s how to enable installing apps from unknown sources:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap the Apps menu.
3. Scroll down and select Special app access.
4. Scroll down again and select Install unknown apps.
5. Here you will be able to choose which apps are allowed to install apps from unknown sources.
6. Tap the app that you want to allow to install unknown apps (usually this will be your Files app or your browser).
7. Turn on the switch for Allow from this source to On.

Questions

Q: Why would you download apps from outside the Play Store?

There are many reasons for installing apps outside of 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 you’ll need some other way to install apps if you want to access software that isn’t available in the Amazon Store.

Another reason is getting different versions or versions of apps. Sometimes a new update removes a feature you need or just breaks the app, and you don’t want to wait for a bug fix. By installing an older version via an .apk file, you can immediately go back to using it.

Finally, you might want to install apps that aren’t available on the Play Store. Whether they’re beta versions, apps that don’t meet the Play Store terms and conditions for whatever reason, or just independent apps that haven’t been published on the platform, installing them directly from the developer is often the easiest way to get them up and running.