Sometimes, an Android app you want to install is non available in the Google Play Store. This can happen for a number of reasons: mayhap it's geo-blocked, information technology could comprise adult content, or the developer might have removed it.

But even when an app is non available through the usual channels, you withal have ways to install it on your device. You demand to get a re-create of the APK file so you can sideload it.

Several sites specialize in offering APK files for download. Some are better than others, so continue reading if you want to discover the best sites for downloading APKs safely.

The Importance of Choosing a Safe APK Site

An APK file (short for Android Package Kit) is the primary way Android apps are distributed and installed. When you download an app from Google Play, you're downloading and running an APK file in the background, but you take no access to the APK itself.

Because the APK files install apps on your organisation, they tin can pose a serious security threat. A person will malicious intentions could modify the APK earlier you lot install it, then apply it as a digital Trojan horse to install and run malware.

Thus, you demand to ensure that the site y'all use is reliable. It should thoroughly vet all APKs and have a history of security and reliability.

one. APKMirror

apk mirror

APKMirror is probably the best Android APK download site.

The site is endemic and operated by the same team that created the widely-read Android news site, Android Police, which should reassure you that y'all're in condom hands.

From a security standpoint, APKMirror has some robust policies in place:

  • Staff verify all APKs uploaded to the site prior to publishing.
  • The site matches cryptographic signatures for new versions of apps with previous versions (to ensure the true developers signed them).
  • Brand-new apps are matched confronting other apps from the same developer to verify their legitimacy.

The bottom line is that if APKMirror cannot verify an APK file's validity, it won't publish the file. Considering of this, you won't discover whatsoever modded APKs, pirated apps, or paid apps on the site.

For each app, you tin grab older versions, see information pulled from Google Play, and access a list of related apps. If an app you install from APKMirror receives an update from Google Play after yous have installed it on your device, it volition upgrade to the latest version automatically.

2. APKPure

apkpure

The biggest mainstream competitor to APKMirror is arguably APKPure. The 2 sites launched around the aforementioned time. Like APKMirror, this APK downloader abides past rigorous security practices to make sure all the APKs you salvage are prophylactic and virus-free.

And then how is APKPure safe? The site verifies the legitimacy of all apps before publishing by using SHA1 to ensure the certificate is safety. Cryptographic signatures for new versions of apps must match previously published versions, and entirely new apps are matched against other software from the same developer.

Once over again, if APKPure has doubts about the security or origins of an app, the company won't publish it on the site. There are no modded APKs on APKPure. In terms of site usability, APKPure pulls screenshots, app descriptions, and general metadata directly from Google.

In that location'south also a list of previous app releases in case y'all want to roll back to an older version (either due to features or bugs.)

APKPure also has an Android app available. You need to sideload the app to install information technology, but once it's up and running, it can human action every bit a replacement for Google Play.

iii. APK Downloader

apk downloader

Nosotros really like APKMirror and APKPure. In truth, y'all shouldn't ever really have a reason to become to a different site. Just allow'due south err on the side of caution and quickly introduce you to a few other options.

Showtime up is APK Downloader. All the APKs are pulled from the Google Play Shop and then that you can exist confident in their security and safe. Every bit with the other sites on this listing, there's also enough of metadata, meaning you lot can avoid Google Play entirely if you wish.

4. Aptoide

aptoide

Aptoide is another giant of the APK downloading world; it has more than than 200 million users and has been responsible for six billion downloads. Like APKPure, the site offers an Android APK app that lets yous admission the store and download APK files direct from your Android device.

The company was also one of the beginning to embrace blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. The site's token—chosen AppCoins—lets developers increase their revenue share, among other uses.

Why is Aptoide not closer to the top of this list? In short, considering it allows users to manage their own stores and thus lets modded APKs onto the platform. They are well signaled, but if you're not paying attention, you might download one by blow.

v. Yalp Store

Yalp Store is unlike the other apps on this site—there's no web version. Instead, y'all need to install the app from F-Droid, which itself is i of the best alternatives to Google Play.

Once the Yalp Store app is installed on your Android device, you tin apply information technology to download APKs straight from the Google Play Store. It ways you don't need to worry about any middlemen injecting malware into the APKs before you get hold of them.

If you lot take rooted your device, Yalp Store tin can even update apps in the background without any input from you. Best of all, you don't need to have a Google account to download the APKs from Google Play. It will please many people who are wary of Google's privacy practices.

6. APKMonk

apkmonk

APKMonk is another pop APK app download site. The site has a heavy focus on gaming apps, with currently trending games taking center stage on the site's homepage.

Nosotros think APKMonk is safe to use. When you lot click into a listing, y'all will come across all the previous versions of the app, metadata pulled from the Google Play Store, images of the app, and links back to the original list on the store. The site runs its own malware checks before allowing an app onto its platform.

You tin likewise use APKMonk to download regular apps. Over again, they are organized into popular and trending categories.

7. APKHere

apkhere

APKHere is the all-time APK site for foreign-linguistic communication APKs that are not available in the default Google Play Store in your locale. Sure, in that location is plenty of English content for you to dig into, all the same, you will also find German APKs, Chinese APKs, Russian APKs, and a whole lot more.

While the APKs on APKHere are condom, we cannot vouch for the safety of some of the apps themselves. China and Russian federation are non known for their robust security and privacy practices, so you should exercise caution and do your own research before installing any of them on your device.

No matter where y'all download your APK file from, you should e'er have responsibility to ensure no nasty surprises are lurking in the code. Several services can scan APK files for malware. Nosotros recommend the drag-and-drop MetaDefender and VirusTotal tools.

And for extra protection, you tin install antivirus software on your phone as well.

The vi All-time Antivirus Apps for Android

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Dan Toll (1604 Articles Published)

Dan joined MakeUseOf in 2014 and has been Partnerships Manager since July 2020. Reach out to him for inquires about sponsored content, affiliate agreements, promotions, and any other forms of partnership. Yous tin can also find him roaming the testify floor at CES in Las Vegas every year, say how-do-you-do if you lot're going. Prior to his writing career, he was a Financial Consultant.

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