Table of Contents
Install APK Files via Browser
Want to download an app directly from the web? Let’s go through it step by step.
Allow Install from Unknown Sources
Before you can install an APK file, your phone needs permission to install apps from places outside the Play Store. Here’s how to set that up:
- Open Settings on your Android phone.
- Go to Apps & Notifications (or simply Apps, depending on your phone).
- Tap the three dots in the top right and choose Special Access.
- Select Install unknown apps and choose your browser (like Chrome).
- Turn on the switch for Allow from this source.
Now, your phone is ready to install apps from outside the Play Store.
Download the APK
Next, go to a trusted site like APKMirror or APKPure and download the APK file for the app you want. Make sure to download APKs only from reliable sources to avoid any security risks.
Install the APK
Once the APK is downloaded:
- Go to the Downloads section of your browser.
- Tap the APK file and select Install.
- If asked for permissions again, make sure to allow it.
And that’s it! The app will show up with all your other apps once it’s installed.
Install APK Files from a PC
If it’s easier for you to download the APK file on your computer, don’t worry—you can still install it on your phone without any trouble.
Enable USB Debugging
You’ll need to turn on USB Debugging first:
- Open Settings and go to About phone.
- Tap Build number seven times to turn on Developer options.
- Go back to Settings and find Developer options.
- Switch on USB Debugging.
Your phone is now ready to connect with your computer.
Transfer the APK to Your Phone
Connect your phone to your computer using a USB cable:
- On your computer, open File Explorer. Your phone’s storage should appear just like a USB drive.
- Drag and drop the APK file into the Downloads folder on your phone.
Install the APK on Your Phone
Now that the file is transferred:
- Open the file manager on your phone (you can download Files by Google if needed).
- Go to the Downloads folder, find the APK file, and tap it to install.
Once the installation is done, your app is ready to use!
Install APK Files on Older Android Versions
If your phone runs Android 7 or older, the process is slightly different, but still easy.
Allow Unknown Sources
On older Android versions:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Security.
- Turn on the option for Unknown sources.
This allows your phone to install apps from outside the Play Store.
Install the APK
Once you’ve enabled unknown sources:
- Download the APK file directly or transfer it from your computer.
- Use a file manager to find the APK in your Downloads folder.
- Tap the APK and follow the prompts to install the app.
That’s it! Once done, you can turn off the Unknown sources option for extra safety.
Install Third-Party App Stores
If you’d prefer to use a different app store instead of Google Play, you can install one like Amazon Appstore or F-Droid.
Download and Install a Third-Party App Store
Go to the website of the app store you want, like Amazon Appstore or F-Droid, and download the APK file:
- Allow Unknown sources for your browser as explained earlier.
- Install the app store APK.
Install Apps from the Third-Party Store
After installing the app store:
- Open it and search for the app you want.
- Tap Get or Install and follow the steps to allow the store to install other apps.
- The app will download and install just like any app from the Play Store.
That’s all there is to it! Installing APK files on Android can be handy when an app isn’t available in the Play Store, and now you know exactly how to do it. Just remember to stay cautious and always download from safe sources. Enjoy using your new apps!