How to sideload apps on Android

If you’ve ever spoken to a smartphone power user, you might have heard of them “sideloading” apps. On Android smartphones, what this means, in layman’s terms, is that they run apps that haven’t downloaded from Google Play.

Warning: It’s important to remember that downloading pirated copies of apps from unknown websites dramatically increases the risks of your phone being infected by a virus. You should only sideload third-party apps from legitimate, legal third-party sources and only if you know the file is safe to install.

First, in your settings menu, look through the Applications and Security menus for an option called “Install apps from unknown sources”. If you can find it, make sure you tap it to switch it on.

Next, copy the APK file of the app you want to install onto your phone. An easy way of doing this is by downloading the file directly through your phone’s web browser.

When the download is complete, it should appear in your notifications tab. Tap it to install.