Just because an app isn’t available from the Google Play Store doesn’t mean it’s not available at all—you can effectively install non-Play Store apps on any Android phone, tablet, or other device by enabling one simple toggle. This practice is called “sideloading.
”Why would you need to do this? After all, most of the applications you want are more than likely in the Google Play Store. But there are occasions when even these “official” apps aren’t available for some reason—maybe they’re restricted in your region, not compatible with your phone, or some other equally as unimportant third thing. In any of those cases, you may want to sideload the app onto your phone. One of my favorite apps, Skitch, was discontinued a few years ago, but the old version still works. So I sideload it. It can also help you get the latest and greatest version of an app if the latest update is rolling out in stages.
But First, a Disclaimer
Before we get started on how to do it, however, let’s first talk about why this setting is disabled by default, and the security implications you could potentially face by allowing your phone to accept installations outside of the Play Store.
- Go to Settings > Security
- Enable “Unknown Sources”
Basically, when you allow any application to be installed…
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