On Android, the usual route is to go to Google Play, search for the app and tap Install; however, the system also allows another path that delights any curious user: installing applications via their APK file. This option opens the door to trying recent versions, accessing alternative catalogs and, ultimately, squeezing the ecosystem like a true power user. Ready to step off the Google Play lane safely and hassle-free?
What an APK is and why it matters
An APK file (Android Application Package) is the installable package that contains everything needed for an app to run on your phone. It is, broadly speaking, the equivalent of an EXE on Windows or a DMG on macOS: you download it, open it and the system integrates it. In fact, although Google Play today prioritizes App Bundles (AAB) for distribution and optimization reasons, what ultimately lands on your phone is still an APK generated from that bundle.
The beauty of the APK is that it allows you to install applications even if you don’t get them from the Google store. You can download them directly to your phone or transfer them from a USB drive or your computer’s storage, and once you have them on hand they behave like any other installation. For the more geeky audience, it’s a format that provides flexibility and control, similar to having root access in a development project but without getting into unnecessary complications: here everything is done through the system interface and guided processes.
Where to get them and what changed since Android 8
Google Play is not the only showcase. There are alternatives like Amazon Appstore or Galaxy Store, as well as repositories known for hosting recent versions of popular apps, such as APKMirror or APKPure. In all cases, the real mechanism under the hood is the same: downloading an APK file that, when executed, installs the application or game on the device.
Since Android 8, Google tightened the security of this process with a more granular approach. There used to be a global switch to allow “unknown sources”; now, the permission is managed per app. This means that the “source” initiating the installation (for example, your browser, the file manager or any other app from which you open the APK) needs explicit authorization to install packages. The advantage is clear: you grant access only to the apps you will actually use to install APKs, reducing risks and keeping everything under control.
In practice, you will see a warning when you try to open an APK for the first time from an app that doesn’t yet have that permission. The system itself will guide you to the settings to grant it, and from then on that app will be enabled to install external applications. If later you want to use another browser or a different file explorer, you will need to repeat the grant for that new app, and that’s it.
How to grant and revoke installation permissions
The process for granting permissions is simple and designed so you don’t get lost along the way:
1) Download the APK with the app you prefer (for example, your browser).
2) Tap the file to open it. Android will display a message indicating that apps from unknown sources cannot be installed.
3) Tap Settings when the warning appears at the bottom of the screen.
4) Enter the section for the application you are using and look for the option “Install unknown apps”.
5) Enable the permission. From that moment on, that app will be authorized to install APKs.
The system remembers your choice, so you won’t have to repeat it every time. That said, if you change the tool used to start the installation, you’ll need to grant the permission to that new app following exactly the same steps. It’s a philosophy similar to Android’s granular permissions for camera or location: fine and transparent control.
Revoking the permission is just as straightforward, in case at some point you want to leave everything as it was originally. You just need to do the following:
1) Open the system Settings.
2) Go to Apps and tap “See all apps”.
3) Select the app from which you want to remove the permission (for example, the browser you used to open the APK).
4) Access “Install unknown apps” and deactivate the option.
Depending on the customization layer, the path may vary slightly, but the concept is the same across manufacturers. In Samsung’s One UI or Xiaomi’s MIUI the menus change names here and there, although the “Install unknown apps” option remains within the profile of the app in question. It’s a good example of how Android maintains system consistency even with different interfaces, something as recognizable as when you jump between Linux distributions and still find the terminal where you expect.
Still using an older version? If your device is on a version earlier than Android 8, the mechanism for installing apps outside the store is even simpler, since there was a single switch that enabled installation from any source. You just had to go to Settings, open Security and enable “Unknown sources”. By doing so, any APK you tried to install was allowed. In modern versions, this global permission has been replaced by the per-app model we just saw, which is safer and more precise.
In summary, installing APKs on Android isn’t just for experts: it’s a native feature with a lot of potential that, managed with the right permissions, allows you to discover apps from other stores, try recent versions and, in general, take your phone a step further. As with App Bundles (AAB) that end up creating the final APK, the important thing is to understand the flow and take advantage of it; once you do, the rest is as natural as tapping Install.
