How to install APKs on Android safely and step by step

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If you've been using Android for a while, you probably already know there are many ways to install apps : from the classic Google Play to alternative stores or files sent via Telegram. We're going to talk about the latter: the infamous APKs. Understanding what they are, how to install them, and what risks they pose is key to avoiding mistakes and ending up with your phone full of junk or, even worse, malware.

Android allows something that's much more limited in other systems: sideloading , or installing apps from outside the official store . This makes the system incredibly flexible, but it also opens the door to problems if you're not careful. In this guide, you'll see, step by step and in detail, how to install APKs on Android (and also on Android TV), how to enable and disable the necessary permissions, and what you should keep in mind to do it safely.

What exactly is an APK file on Android?

An APK file is, simply put, the "installation package" for an Android app . It's similar to Windows .exe files or macOS .pkg packages: a single file that includes everything needed to install an application on your device, from the code to the graphics and configuration resources.

The acronym APK stands for Android Application Package (or Android Package Kit) . It's the standard format Android uses to package applications. When you install an app from Google Play, the system actually downloads and installs an APK internally (or, in more recent versions, the AAB-based variant that generates APKs specific to your device).

An APK file contains all the components that make up an app : the compiled code, resources (images, sounds, text), the manifest with permissions, and so on. Thanks to this packaging, installing an application on Android can be as simple as tapping a file and following an installation wizard.

It's a fundamental format not only for advanced users, but also for app development and testing . During testing, developers compile the application into an APK and distribute it to testers and internal teams so they can install it without yet going through Google Play.

Google has long promoted the AAB (Android App Bundle) format as a replacement for APKs in the Play Store. Even so, manual installation on Android devices still relies on APK files , as this is the format the system directly understands when you install something from outside the official store.

Where to get APKs and when does it make sense to use them

APK files can be obtained in many ways, and that's part of the problem. There are well-known repositories like APK Mirror, UpToDown, and GitHub , which are usually the most recommended sources when you need a legitimate APK. You can also download APKs from the official websites of certain services (for example, some app stores, VPNs, or apps that aren't fully available on Google Play).

In addition to direct downloads, you can share the APK of an app you already have installed . Applications like Google Files allow you to extract and send an app's installation to someone else, so they only need to install the received file. This can be very useful when an app disappears from Google Play or when someone needs a specific version that's no longer available in the store.

The use of APKs is especially common in application testing and development environments . When an app isn't yet ready for publication on Google Play, developers often share the APK with internal testers, clients, or colleagues so they can install it and verify that everything works as it should.

There are also cases where certain official apps, such as some third-party stores or content services, don't offer the full version on Google Play . Sometimes they are limited or restricted, and the company itself offers the "full" APK on its website. In these cases, installing the file from the official site is perfectly legitimate and usually safe.

However, outside of a few trusted repositories and websites, any link to an APK should be examined very carefully . Forums, P2P networks, or unknown websites may offer modified installers that appear to be a popular game or a paid app, but which contain malicious code.

Real risks of installing APKs and unknown sources

Installing an APK on Android is as powerful as installing an .exe on Windows: you're giving that file permission to make profound changes to your device . That's why Android blocks the installation of apps from unknown sources by default (anything that doesn't go through Google Play or a trusted app store).

Most malware infections, scams, and frauds on Android arrive via APKs downloaded from untrusted sites . An attacker can take a legitimate app, modify its code to add a virus or Trojan, and repackage it without any outward sign of tampering: same name, same icon, almost the same file size.

The real danger lies in the fact that, when you install this altered APK, the permissions panel won't warn you about any added malware . Android can only display the permissions originally declared by the app (access to camera, contacts, storage, etc.), but it doesn't automatically detect if malicious code has been injected into the package itself.

For this reason, security experts and many development companies recommend avoiding downloading APKs from unfamiliar websites . This is only advisable in specific cases (tests, unofficial versions outside the app store, reputable repositories), and only if you are certain of the file's exact origin.

A good practice is to scan the file with services like VirusTotal before moving it to your phone . By uploading the APK to this platform, several antivirus engines analyze it in the cloud and can detect any suspicious activity. If the system flags the file as suspicious, it's best not to install it.

How to enable APK installation on Android

To manually install an APK, you must first enable installation from unknown sources . The method for doing this has changed over time: in older versions of Android it was a global setting, while in modern versions it's managed per application (browser, file manager, Telegram, etc.).

On Android 7 or earlier versions

On devices running Android 7 or earlier, the system groups the permission into a single general setting. The typical process is very similar across brands, although the exact names of some menus may vary.

• Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
• Enter the section "Security" (sometimes it appears as "Security and Privacy").
• Within the device administration section, look for the option "Unknown sources".
• Activate it. The system will display a warning indicating that doing so increases security risks.
• Tap accept to confirm that you allow the installation of apps that do not come from Google Play.

From that moment on, any application that runs an APK file will be able to install it , because the permission is active system-wide. This is very convenient, but it also increases the attack surface if you download carelessly.

On Android 8 or higher (per-app permission)

Starting with Android 8, Google changed its approach to improving security. There's no longer a single global switch; instead, each app that wants to install APKs must have its own individual permission . For example, you can allow Chrome to install APKs, but not Telegram, or only your file manager.

On Samsung phones with Android 8 or higher, the process is usually as follows:

• Sign in Settings> Applications.
• Tap the three-dot menu (more options icon) in the top corner.
• Accede to "Special access" > "Install unknown applications".
• Select the app you will use to download or open the APK (for example, Chrome or your file manager).
• Activate the option "Allow from this source" or similar.

On non-Samsung devices, the process is usually very similar, although some names may change:

• Opens Settings.
• Go to «Applications and notifications» (or "Applications").
• Tap on "Advanced" if necessary to see more options.
• Sign in "Special App Access".
• search and open “Install unknown apps”.
• Select the browser, file manager, or messaging app from which you will open the APK and activate the checkbox to download or install from that source.

Another way to access the same setting on many recent phones is to press and hold the app icon (for example, the Chrome icon) on the home screen or app drawer. Holding it down for a few seconds will bring up a pop-up window with options and information; this often includes shortcuts to special permissions, such as the option to install apps from unknown sources.

Step by step: how to install an APK file on your Android mobile

Once you've enabled the "Unknown sources" permission where appropriate, installing an APK on Android is fairly straightforward. Depending on your Android version, the system might display the permission prompt the first time you attempt to install , guiding you to the correct setting.

Download the APK file to your device

To install an app using an APK, you first need to have the file saved on your mobile phone or tablet . This can be done in two basic ways:

• Download the APK directly from the device's browser (usually Chrome or another browser).
• Copy the file from a computer to the mobile phone using a USB cable and a file manager.

If you download it through your browser, the app itself will usually display a security warning indicating that APK files can harm your device. This appears for any APK, even if it's completely legitimate. You should only accept the download if you're sure of its origin.

Alternatively, if you prefer to copy the file from your PC, you'll need to connect your phone via USB , enable file transfer, and drag the APK to an accessible folder (for example, "Downloads"). You can then locate it later using a file manager on your device.

Installation using a file manager or from the notification

When the download is complete, Android usually displays a notification with the APK file name . Tapping on that notification is the quickest way to launch the installer. If you don't see the notification or you've moved the file, you can use a file manager (ES File Explorer, ASTRO, the system's native file explorer, etc.) to navigate to the folder where you saved the APK.

When you tap the file, the system opens the installation screen: you'll see the app's name, its icon, and the list of permissions it will have access to once installed (storage, camera, contacts, etc.). If you're using an older version of Android and haven't enabled unknown sources, the system will tell you that you can't install it and will prompt you to go to your security settings to enable it.

If you've already granted permission to that source (for example, Chrome or your file manager), simply tap "Install" and wait a few seconds. Android will copy the data to the system and add the app icon to the app drawer and, in many cases, to the home screen as well.

At the end of the installation, the wizard usually displays two options: "Open" the app directly or "Ready to exit." Both are equivalent; the difference is simply whether you want to launch the app right away or wait until later.

How to revoke APK installation permissions

Once you've finished installing the app you needed from an APK file, it's best to disable installation permissions from unknown sources . This way, if you accidentally download or open a malicious file in the future, you'll have an extra layer of protection.

On Android 7 and earlier, simply go back to Settings > Security and disable the "Unknown sources" option. From that point on, the system will block any attempt to install APKs from sources other than the official app store.

On Android 8 and later, you need to go back to the "Special access" > "Install unknown apps" section and disable permission for apps that should no longer install APKs (browser, file manager, etc.). This gives you much finer control over which apps are authorized to install new packages.

Some services specifically recommend that, as soon as you finish installing their official APK , you immediately disable permission for the app from which you downloaded it. This reduces the possibility that someone could use that same vulnerability to sneak malware onto your device in the future.

Installing APKs on Android TV: options and useful tips

Android TV (and Google TV) share many fundamental principles with Android for mobile devices, so they also allow you to install apps using APK files . This is especially useful because many apps don't appear in the TV's app store, either because they aren't optimized for the remote, because they're still in beta, or because the developer hasn't officially released them for television.

Installing APKs on Android TV greatly expands the device's possibilities: you can try alternative players , custom launchers, system tools, or apps that, while not TV-specific, work perfectly with a remote, keyboard, or connected mouse.

Most convenient method: send the APK from your mobile phone

The most practical way for most users is to use an app like Send Files to TV . This tool allows you to send files (including APKs) from your Android phone to your Android TV or media player over the same Wi-Fi network.

To use this method you need to meet certain minimum requirements:

• Un Android mobile device and a television or device with Android TV or Google TV.
• Both devices connected to the same WiFi network.
• The Send Files to TV app is installed on both the mobile phone and the TV.
• A file manager on Android TV (for example, File Commander or similar).

The basic workflow would be as follows:

• Download the APK you want to install on your Android TV to your mobile device from a trusted source.
• Open Send Files to TV on your mobile and on your TV.
• On your mobile device, choose the option "Send" (send) and select the APK file.
• Select your Android TV as the receiving device and wait for the transfer to finish.
• On the TV, open the file manager and go to the folder where the APK has been saved (usually "Downloads").
• Tap on the file and accept the installation when Android TV displays the wizard.

The first time you do this, the system will ask you to authorize installation from unknown sources for the file manager you're using. Just like on your mobile device, you'll only need to grant permission once; after that, you can install other APKs from that application without further prompts.

Other ways to install APKs on Android TV

Besides sending via WiFi, there are other methods to install APKs on Android TV, although they are usually less convenient:

• Use a USB flash drive or diskYou copy the APK from your computer to a USB drive, connect it to your TV, and then use a file manager to install the app from there. It's simple, but a bit slower and more cumbersome than using the internet.
• Download the APK directly from the TV's browserIf you have a browser installed on your Android TV, you could go to the website in question and download the APK. The problem is that navigating and typing long URLs with the remote is usually quite inconvenient.
• Install from your computer using ADBThis method is intended for advanced users. It requires enabling debugging on Android TV and using ADB commands from the PC to "push" the APK to the device and install it. It's very powerful and accurate, but not the most user-friendly for the average user.

In all cases, the same security advice that applies to mobile phones also applies to TVs: only download APKs from reliable sources , carefully check what you install, and don't hesitate to uninstall any app that behaves strangely or doesn't work well with the remote.

Understanding how APKs work, how to enable and disable permissions for unknown sources, and the real risks behind each file you install gives you much more freedom without compromising security. When used correctly, APKs are a fantastic tool for getting more out of your mobile phone or Android TV; when misused, they can become the fastest way to fill your device with malware, so it's best to proceed with caution and always use common sense.