This wikiHow teaches you how to install an app file onto your Android. App files (known as "APK" files) are useful if you want to install an app that isn't listed on the Google Play Store, but you'll have to enable installations from other sources on your Android before you can download and install an APK. Keep in mind that APK files can house dangerous malware, so you should only install APK files from reputable sites.

Part1

Enabling APK Installations

1. 1
   Open your Android's Settings. Use two fingers to swipe down from the top of the screen, then tap the "Settings" 

   

    gear icon in the top-right corner of the resulting drop-down menu.
2. 2
   Scroll down and tap Apps and notifications. Doing so opens the Apps and Notifications menu.

   • On a Samsung Galaxy, you'll instead tap Biometrics and security.
3. 3
   Tap Install unknown apps. It should be in the middle of the menu.

   • This option may instead say Install other apps.
   • On some Androids, you may first have to tap Special access.
4. 4
   Select a browser. Tap the browser you want to use to download your APK files.
5. 5
   Tap the white "Allow from this source" 

   

    switch. It's at the bottom of the page. Doing so will cause the switch to turn blue 

   

    , signifying that the browser will now be able to download and install APK files.

   • On some Androids, you may instead need to tap an "Allow from this source" checkbox.
6. 6
   Tap OK if prompted. This will confirm your decision and enable downloads from unknown sources on your Android.

Part2

Installing an APK File

1. 1
   Open your Android's web browser. Tap the app icon for the web browser that you want to use to download your APK file.

   • Make sure you open the web browser for which you enabled unknown downloads.
2. 2
   Go to an APK download site. In your web browser, either type in the name of the app you want to download followed by apk (e.g., "soundcloud apk"), or go to a website that you know hosts APK downloads.

   • APKMirror, AppBrain, and AndroidAPKsFree are all reputable sites from which you can download APK files.
3. 3
   Download an APK file. Select the APK file you want to download, then tap the "Download" button or icon to download it.

   • Depending on your selected site, you may have to tap the APK file's name, select a download site, and/or navigate through the download site's options before you can tap the "Download" button.
4. 4
   Tap OK when prompted. Doing so will confirm that you want to download the APK file and begin downloading it onto your Android.
5. 5
   Tap OPEN when prompted. It's at the bottom of the screen. If you miss the OPENnotification, you can instead swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the Download complete (or similar) notification.

   • Alternatively, open your Android's file manager app, select your default storage location, tap the Downloads folder, and tap the APK file that you downloaded. You can then tap SETTINGS when prompted and enable installations from unknown sources for your file manager app.
6. 6
   Tap INSTALL. This option is in the bottom-right corner of the screen. Doing so will prompt the APK file to begin installing; once it completes, you'll see an OPEN option appear in the bottom-right corner of the screen