What is sideload android apps

How to sideload apps on your Android

At these present times, there are already a lot of people who are using different phone applications that they consider to be useful to them. These applications are typically downloaded from the app stores that are affiliated with the manufacturer of the phone. In that case, these manufacturers are not generally allowing the users to sideload android apps.

Now, you might be wondering what is a side load. A side load android is the process of downloading a specific application that cannot be downloaded from the app store that is run by the manufacturer. For instance, you can side load apps from the store for amazon app store which is prohibited from the google play store. Sideloading app can be a very simple process. You can even side load app yourself.

If you are interested in knowing how to sideload an app, you have to keep something in mind first. Sideloading apps may or may not be safe. In this case, you should always be exercising caution in side loading apps. Certain applications that are published in the google play store are being checked for any sort of malware by Google itself. If you will sideload android apps, this kind of protection is given up. In that case, you have to make sure that you have an effective anti-malware software that is running in your phone before you start sideloading apps. Typically, these sideload android apps are being bundled together in packages called APK files. You will have to take note of the ones that you want to android sideload.

Before you can start the process of android side loading, you will first need to enable “Unknown sources” in your phone. Having this “Unknown sources” option enabled will allow you to have apps downloaded even outside of the Google Play Store. To do so, you will need to open up the Settings menu of your phone. Afterwards, you will need to tap on “Security”. Next, you should be tapping on the box that is located at the right side of the “Unknown sources”. In this manner, there should be a check mark inside such box. Afterwards, you are now ready to sideload app. You should read on to know the steps on how to sideload apk.

There are a number of methods that can be employed in order to android sideload apps. However, the three most common methods that are being used to sideloading android by advanced android phone users are the Manual method, the AirDroid method, and the ADB method. We will be tackling each of these methods so that you will know how to sideload apps by using any one of them.

Method 1 : Manual Method

There are two scenarios that could happen in this method. The first one would be downloading the android sideload apk file on your computer. The second one would be downloading the side load apk file straight to your android phone. It is also possible to have an apk installer for tablet downloaded.

Scenario 1 – Download File on Computer

Step 1 You first need to download the file from a very reliable source. Again, at this point, you are vulnerable to malware attacks so be sure that your anti-malware software is already running. Once you have downloaded the file, you will need to connect your android phone to your computer with the use of a USB connector. In this manner, you will be able to transfer the sideload apk file to the storage folder of your phone. You should make sure that you will also remember which folder you saved the file to.

Step 2 After that, you will need to download and install a file manager app from the Google Play Store. You can choose any file manager app that you will be seeing from the store. Your phone might even have a pre-installed one already. After successfully downloading the file manager app, you will need to open it. Then, you will need to look for the apk file that you have stored and tap on it. At this point, the installation of the file should have already initiated. You have already sideloaded apps.

Scenario 2 : Download Directly on Phone

Step 1 In this scenario, it will be much more easier for you to go through the android sideloading process. You will just need to access the website where you can download the apk file that you want to be sideloaded. In this step you will need to use the browser in your phone. Afterwards, the downloaded file will be displayed in the Downloads section of your phone. The file should be searched for and tapped so that it can be installed.

Method 2 : AirDroid Method

Step 1 An AirDroid is a type of app that allows you to be managing your phone through a computer. The app is designed to have a website-like interface where you can perform several actions. Here is a sample screen shot.

Step 2 At the right side of the screen, you will be seeing a widget with four icons. The last icon labeled as App should be selected. From here, you can choose the apk file that would be side loaded to the phone and then the installation will start. You will have to confirm such installation on your phone by pressing OK on your phone screen to start sideloading android.

Method 3 : ADB Method

Step 1 In this method, you will have to be exerting a little more effort to sideload apps android. However, you only need one simple command to be able to sideload apps. In this case, you have to make sure first that you have already installed Android SDK from a certain website. To make typing the file easier, the apk file that you will be sideloading should be saved on the same folder as the ADB files. This way, it will be easier to adb install apk.

Step 2 You then need to open the command prompt. Afterwards, you just need to type “adb install appfilename.apk”. You have to replace the appfilename with the complete file name of the app that you want to sideload.

Step 3 As you can see in the screen shot, it will be notifying you whether the installation of the file has been successful or not. On the other hand, instead of typing the filename, you can also type in the complete path to the app that you want to be side loaded. After such step, you are successful with the sideloading process.

These are only three of the most common methods which you can use on how to sideload. There are still other methods that are available to sideload android app. You have to make sure, though, that you really know the reason why side loading is being done. This way, you can enjoy the apps that are the results of android side load.

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How to Sideload Android Apps

Install custom apps from anywhere

What to Know

• Download and install ABD, which lets developers send data between a computer and an Android device.
• Go to Settings >System >AboutPhone. Tap BuildNumber seven times. Go to DeveloperOptions and toggle on Androiddebugging.
• Connect your Android device to your computer and sideload your apps. Warning: APKs from unknown sources may contain malicious software.

Sideloading, or the process of sending an app to your Android device from your computer instead of downloading it from the Play Store, is the only way to install apps on some modified Android devices. It primarily allows developers to test their apps before publishing them. Because of this, you’ll need Android development tools on your computer to sideload an app. The main one is the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) from Google.

Install ADB

ADB is used by developers to send data between a computer and an Android device. It allows a developer, or just someone looking to tinker with their Android device, to control their phone from a computer, sending files, installing apps, and even running a console on the device with root privileges.

Google makes the ADB available for free to anyone. You can download it straight from them and install it on your computer.

Windows

Open your browser, and download the ADB from Google.

Unpack the ZIP file into a convenient folder. This is the folder that you’ll run the ADB from.

Right click in the directory where you unpacked the archive. In the menu that pops open, select Open a command window here.

You’re ready to enable debugging on your phone, connect it, and run ADB. Every time you want to use the ADB, you’re going to need to open a command prompt in this folder.

Ubuntu/Debian Linux

Open up a terminal window

Install ADB with the Apt package manager.

Enable USB Debugging

In order to use ADB, you’re going to need to enable USB debugging on your Android device. It’s not that difficult, and it’s built right in to the Android settings.

Open the Android Settings app.

Scroll down and select System.

Scroll all the way to the bottom of the list again, and press About phone.

Find the Build number. Tap it seven times at a fairly regular rate. Think musical beats. As you get closer to seven, your phone will warn you that you’re about to enable the developer options.

Go back up a level to the System settings. This time, locate and tap Developer options.

Scroll until you see the Debugging heading. Find the Android debugging switch and toggle it on. If this device isn’t something like a phone or tablet that you can plug directly in to your computer, flip the ADB over network switch too. This a potential security risk, so only enable debugging over network when necessary.

Sideload an App

You’re all set to start sideloading apps. Turn your attention back to your computer, and get your charging cable ready, if you’re connecting your device with it.

Connect your device to your computer. If you’re working over a network, find your device’s IP address and make sure that it’s connected.

Open a terminal window (or command prompt) to run the ADB. If you’re on Windows, make sure that you’re in the right directory. Linux users can run it from anywhere.

In the terminal window run:

You should see your device listed, but not connected. At the same time, check the screen on the device. There will be a window asking you to authorize access from the computer. Accept.

If you’re connecting over the network, you probably won’t see your device listed. Instead, run:

Substitute the IP address of your device. The same authorization window will pop up for you now too.

If you don’t already have an app APK file to sideload, you can go online and find one. Check APKMirror for a large library of Android APKs. Be careful installing APKs from an unknown source, as they may contain malicious software.

Now that you have your APK, you can install it. Use the install option in ADB followed by the path to your package.

Your package will install and, if all goes well, be available on the Android device.

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How to sideload an app onto your Android phone or tablet

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Staff Writer, Greenbot |

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“Sideloading” an app is the common term for installing it without downloading directly from the Google Play Store. Maybe there’s an app that’s not in the Play Store but is floating around in a popular forum. Maybe you’re just trying to give your friend’s app a try before he or she publishes it. There are plenty of good reasons why you’d want to sideload an app, and we’re going to show you how easy it is.

While the approval process in the Google Play Store is minimal, the search giant can pluck apps out for violating any of its rules. The Android L keyboard appeared in the Play Store and was taken out not long after it was introduced, because it was a repackaging of Google’s pre-release developer software. Other apps, which more than likely would be pulled from the Play Store if they were ever put there in the first place, are downloaded via the developer’s website, like Popcorn Time. The Amazon App Store is one of the most popular sideloaded apps—Google won’t let competing app stores distribute in Google play, so you need to load it straight from Amazon.

There are quite a few methods to sideload an application on your Android phone or tablet, so we’ll go over three of the most common: Manual, ADB, and AirDroid. Android apps are packaged up in «APK» files—once you’ve identified one you wish to install, here’s what you need to do.

First, enable Unknown sources

Enabling unknown sources allows you install apps outside of the Google Play Store.

Before you start, you need to make sure you have allowed your device to install apps that are found outside of the Google Play Store.

To enable installation from these “Unknown sources,” as Google calls them, go into the system settings and scroll down to Security. Inside this menu, you’ll see the Unknown sources option. Check the box, press OK, and you’re good to go.

AirDroid Method

AirDroid is the easiest method to sideload an app.

AirDroid is one of our favorite apps for managing your phone via computer. It lets you drag and drop files to your phone, and see notifications, all without wires via a web interface. There’s a lot more to AirDroid than just sideloading apps, but that is all we’ll covering today.

When you’ve arrived at the landing page (above), there is a widget called Toolbox on the right, with four icons to choose from. The last of the four options is Apps, and this is where you want to be.

The AirDroid Toolbox lets you install apps with a simple drag and drop.

From here, you’ll be able to select the APK file you’re trying to install or just drag it into the box. The file will be sent to the phone, and AirDroid will start the installation. A notification in the AirDroid window will inform you that you’ll need to confirm the installation of the app on your phone. After tapping OK on your phone, the app is installed. It really doesn’t get much easier than this.

ADB Method

The ADB method requires a little more legwork to get set up, but one simple command gets the job done when it comes to installing apps. If you’re new to ADB, follow this helpful guide to get started.

To make things easier, I suggest that you place the APK file inside the same folder as the ADB files, as this will alleviate the need for extra typing. With the APK in the same folder as the ADB files, type the following to install the app. In this example, the name of the app I’ll be installing is testapp.apk. Make sure to replace “testapp.apk” with the full name of the app you’re trying to install.

Alternatively, if the APK file is not in the same folder as ADB, you can write the full path of the app’s location in the command line to achieve the same result.

After entering the command, you’ll get another line displaying that the file was sent, where it is in the system, and a confirmation that the app was successfully installed.

In short, installing an apk in ADB is as simple as: adb install

Manual method

This method is also very simple, but can be a bit more tedious than the other methods.

If you’ve downloaded the apk from a computer, hook your phone up to it with a syncing cable (likely Micro USB) and drag and drop file into the phone’s storage. Since we’ll need to find the file again, make sure you remember where you placed the apk on your phone. Usually, it’s easiest to place the file in the root of your phone’s storage, inside no folders. This will make finding the file easier later on, but it’s not a great way to keep your phone’s storage organized.

Now head over to the Google Play Store and download a file manager app. For this tutorial I’ll be using Solid Explorer, but any one will do. (Your phone may even have a file manager app pre-installed.) Open the file manager, find the APK you placed in the storage, and tap on it. This should initiate the install.

If you’ve downloaded the app with your phone and not a computer, sideloading is even easier.

You don’t need a computer to sideload an app. Let your phone do the work.

After downloading the app from your phone, press home and go into tap on the All Apps icon to get to your app drawer. For most Android phones or tablets, a Downloads app should be in the list. Tap on it, and find the apk you just downloaded, and tap one more time to start the installation.

A word of caution

Sideloading apps isn’t necessarily safe. Google screens apps in the Play Store for certain types of malware, but when you circumvent the store, you give up this protection. You’ll want to make sure you have some sort of anti-malware scanning software running, or at least be very careful what you download.

Blake has been an Android fan since the G1 days, tinkering with any device he can get his hands on. When he’s not geeking out on Android devices, you’ll likely find him playing video games or watching a laundry list of horror movies.

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