In this blog post I want to show you how to install Android apps that are not downloaded via the Google Play Store. 

Not all apps are downloaded from the official Play Store. There are alternative Android app stores, but also app distribution tools like Updraft, that allow a developer to distribute apps to testers or a group of testers before the official release to get early feedback on the developed app.

There are also many companies that use their apps for internal purposes only. Such apps are very often not published in the Play Store but only distributed internally with the help of Updraft or a similar service.

Thereby the problem is the following:

Unknown Sources in Android

Basically the Android OS system blocks all apps that are not downloaded from the Play Store. So the first time you’re installing an app from Updraft, the following message will appear:

"Install blocked. For security, your phone is set to block installation of applications not obtained from Play Store"

No worries - it sounds more serious than it actually is! In general we recommend you only ever install apps from people you trust. So If you know the developer from whom you got the app, everything is fine and you can continue with the installation. Therefore you will need to change the settings. In the following section of the blog we show you exactly how to do this.

How to install Android apps from unknown sources?

Did you get the exact message from above? If so, go through the steps to install Android apps from Updraft:

1. Open your Android Device Settings

2. Navigate to Setting

3. Then open Security

4. Check the ‘’Unknown sources’’

5. Click on OK on the prompt

6. Select ‘’Trust’’

That's it  - now open the downloaded Android app again. 

By accepting the Unknown Sources in the Android settings, you can install all Android apps that are not downloaded from the Play Store at any time. Note: the setting is now permanent, if you want to change this after you have downloaded an app, go back to the settings and disable the Unknown Sources.

How to Install Android Apps on Android 8.0 or later

Do you have an Android device with Android Oreo (Android 8.0) or higher? 

Google has adapted the installation of Unknown Sources with Android 8.0 for permission reasons. This simplifies the installation of Unknown Sources and you don't have to go through the Android settings anymore.

So if you have an Android device with Android 8.0 do the following to install apps outside of the Play Store:

1. Download the .apk you want to install

2. Just start the installation of your android app by clicking on the completed download message in your mobile browser

3. A prompt will appear with the message if you would like to grant permission to install the app

4. Grant the permission

5. The android app will be safely installed.

6. Open your app

Test and Distribute your Android Apps with Updraft

I hope that I could help you with the short guide to accept Unknown Sources in Android, so that you will never have problems installing apps that are not from the Play Store again.

Many companies and developers already rely on Updraft's simple service for distributing Android applications outside the common App Stores. Either because their app is still in early development and should not be published yet, or because it is an app that is only used for internal company purposes. During the installation of an Android app with Updraft, we show your users a tutorial that shows them how to set the unknown sources in the Android system settings. Register now on Updraft - it's free.