Can I Install Android Apps Without Google Play On Gingerbread

The Google Play Store is, no doubt, the best place to get apps. It has a massive selection from the most popular developers and its security features are top-notch. You simply can't get the same experience anywhere. However, that isn't to say that Google Play has every app or game available for download. We're sure you know about Fortnite and its issues with staying legitimate by now. There are other surprisingly decent sideloaded apps that aren't allowed in Google Play for one reason or another. Here are the best Android apps you may want to sideload.

Since you are venturing outside of Google Play, we recommend checking out our how to install third-party apps without the Google Play Store guide linked here. We'd also like to give an honorable mention to the Amazon App Store since you do have to sideload it and it also has a bunch of apps and games that you also have to sideload after you download them.

The best Android apps to sideload

APKMirror is technically a website and not an app. However, it has a bunch of apps that you can sideload. The biggest and most useful function for APKMirror is trying out new or beta versions of apps you can regularly get on Google Play before the official launch or finding an old version of an app or game that worked better than its new version. It's a highly reliable website for APKs and you shouldn't ever worry about things like malware or anything like that. We've used this site as a source for years without any trouble. You can find all kinds of neat stuff there to sideload if you look around.

Cerberus

Price: Free / $5-$43 per year

Cerberus used to be one of the best Find My Phone apps on the Play Store. However, Google adjusted some of its rules regarding certain permissions and Cerberus was summarily booted. The app still exists on its official website, though, and it's still a reasonably good option for its category. It can snap photos of people who try to get into your phone, show you your phone's location, text you its location, and do all sorts of other functions. We even still recommend this one on our best apps to find your phone (linked just below the button). There is a subscription cost required ranging from $5 per year (for one device) up to $43 per year (for up to ten devices).

F-Droid - best app stores for android phones

F-Droid is an excellent app to sideload. It's another app store similar to Google Play. However, this one only has FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) apps. This is a great spot to get apps for those concerned about privacy and security because every app has to post its open source code somewhere on the Internet and link it to F-Droid. You won't find a ton of popular apps here, but you can find a lot of simple tools that would replace less trustworthy ones on the Google Play Store. There are also a lot of power user tools with functions you can't find in the Play Store due to policy restrictions. Plus, F-Droid itself is relatively easy to use and it looks good.

Fortnite

Price: Free to play

Fortnite's on-again-off-again relationship with the Google Play Store is very public and very messy. For the time being, though, you can only get Fortnite from Epic Games' official website. The game is a battle royale-style game where you and 99 other players duke it out to see who is left standing. The game map shrinks over time and there are various resources on the map you can collect and craft to give yourself an advantage. It's one of the most popular games in the world and you can't get it in the Play Store at this time. If you need more help, we have a guide on how to install Fortnite here. One day, when Epic Games releases its own game store, we'll likely replace Fortnite with it.

Google Camera - best camera apps for android

Google Camera exists in two places at once. There is the Google Play Store version (link) which is only just okay. Then you have the actually good Google Camera which you have to sideload. The Google Camera ports include the outstanding post processing of Pixel devices along with Night Sight, Astro Mode, and other features you don't find the Play Store version. XDA-Developers has a repository for most devices where a Google Cam port exists. There is a decent number of devices but it's worth noting that not all devices can use it and not all devices have the same features. It's very much a constant work in progress so hit the link to see if your devices is compatible.

Humble Bundle is a game sales service and one of the few really good ones outside of the Google Play Store. The service usually bundles a bunch of games together that you can buy for far below their Google Play Store value. There is a charity attached as well that you can throw a few bucks at to help other people. Humble Bundle also does ebooks and audio stuff (usually soundtracks) as well. The app is fairly straightforward. You use it to browse the Bundles and download stuff you previously bought. Humble Bundle is also cross-platform so you can shop for PC games as well.

Tachiyomi screenshot - best manga reader apps

Tachiyomi is one of Android's best manga readers, but also one of the most complicated. It has a massive collection of manga, including some NSFW stuff. It also comes with extensions similar to how Kodi has extensions. Unfortunately, those extensions are APKs that you install and that's why Tachiyomi isn't on the Play Store. Luckily, the official website has the app and it's relatively easy to install and use. It's a little more tedious than any manga reader you can find on Google Play, but it has so much more content.

Viper4Android best root apps for root users

ViPER4Android is an audio engine and equalizer app and, frankly, it's the best one. It requires root access because it installs a literal audio driver to your phone and that's what gives it its legendary control. You can create multiple sound profiles for all of your headphones or speakers. The developers are working on a rootless version of the app, but it's not available yet. Thus, you need root to actually use this app to its fullest potential.

Magisk Manager is one of the most powerful sideloaded apps. Unfortunately, it is for rooted devices because it absolutely can't work on non-root devices. Basically, the app lets you install modules that improve, increase, or otherwise modify the functionality of your device. It's definitely a power user tool so it's not something we would recommend to anybody. That's why it's down here in the bonus area. In any case, this is a great tool for root users as long as they don't mind the learning curve and have backups ready in case something happens.