# How to Run Third-Party App Stores on Device **URL:** https://www.compsmag.com/blogs/how-to-run-third-party-app-stores-on-device/ **Author:** Ayushi Chauhan **Published:** 2022-04-06 **Updated:** 2022-04-06 **Categories:** Blogs **Tags:** Android Guides, Blogs Daily, Google tips and tutorials, guiderobert, Guides and Tutorials, guiding12, How To Guide, How To Guides, internet tips and tutorials, Tips, Tricks **Reading Time:** 4 min --- This tip is about the how to Run Third-Party App Stores on Device. So read this free guide, How to Run Third-Party App Stores on Device step by step. If you have query related to same article you may contact us. ## How to Run Third-Party App Stores on Device - Guide Most Android devices do not allow the installation of applications referred to by Google as “unknown sources”. Fortunately, enabling this functionality is usually very easy. With the arrival of Amazon's App Store, Android users have a whole new way to patch their apps and games. But while it is the best-known alternative app store overnight, it is by no means the first. Third-party Android app stores like AndAppStore, SlideMe, Handango, and GetJar and game developers like Gameloft have been selling their products outside of the Android Market for some time now. Also, smaller developers often offer alpha or beta versions of future apps, while hackers and enthusiasts sometimes make useful applets available to the Android community on forums and blogs. There are plenty of places to fix your app outside of the official Android Market, but there's only one backstage that you need to go through first. Most Android devices do not allow the installation of applications referred to by Google as “unknown sources”. ## How to install apks Another popular thing to do is install APKs from websites. This is by far the most dangerous way to install apps. However, there are some sites we don't mind recommending it, including APKMirror. The process is quite easy and you shouldn't have too much trouble doing it. ### Android 8.0 Oreo and later Google has changed the way APK installs work on Android 8.0 Oreo. Not much has changed since then. This is how to install APKs on all modern versions of Android: Download the APK you want to install. You can navigate to your Download folder using a file browser application or simply start the installation by clicking the completed download on your mobile browser. Android will ask you to grant the file browser or web browser permission to install the app. Grant the permission and you should return to the installation screen. Otherwise, navigate back to the Download folder after granting the retry permission. The application must be installed securely. It will work like any other app you download. You can find the icon in the app drawer, open the app and do whatever you want. There are some apps that may not be installed on your device for compatibility reasons. Many apps with internet permissions may require you to download the latest version from the Google Play Store before allowing you to use the app. There's not much you can do about it if that happens. ### Install from unknown sources method (old method) Prior to Android Oreo, users had to enable the Install from unknown sources setting to install third-party APKs on their devices. Otherwise, the process remains basically the same. Download the APK you want to install. Navigate to your phone settings menu and then to security settings. Enable the option Install from unknown sources. Use a file browser and navigate to your download folder. Tap on the APK to start the installation process. The application must be installed securely. Everything we said earlier still applies here. Some apps may simply not install for compatibility reasons and the apps may chase you to get the updated version from the Play Store before allowing you to use the app. This method only works on devices running Android versions earlier than Android Oreo. ## Third-party app stores Third-party app stores are another popular way to get apps without the Play Store. There are some good ones including F-Droid for open source fans and Amazon's App Store is also decent. You can check out our list of the best third-party app stores by clicking here. Choose the desired third-party app store and download the APK. Follow the steps above to install the APK on your device. Once the store is installed, open it up and browse the apps you want. Download and install them as you would any other app store. On devices running Android Oreo or higher, make sure you give the app store permission to install apps to avoid any issues. Those on older versions of Android need to ensure the Install from Unknown Sources option or the installations will fail. ## Final note I hope you like the guide How to Run Third-Party App Stores on Device. In case if you have any query regards this article you may ask us. Also, please share your love by sharing this article with your friends. --- *End of Article*