One of the big advantages Android compared to iOS is the greater freedom it offers to both users and developers. Google’s mobile operating system is based on a project published as open source, the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), which can be forked and modified, opening the door to familiar ROMs and reimplementations that seek to leave Android services. Google.

Thanks to the greater freedom that Android provides, it is possible to get apps from sources other than the Google Play Store. However, what may seem like an advantage to the user at first glance is actually a double-edged sword because, like Windows, you need to be careful about the sources you get your applications from. The potential risks of getting unofficial media apps are one of the reasons for Apple’s stance against sideloading and third-party stores, but pressure from the public and regulatory and government bodies is forcing the apple giant to rethink its stance and more. when it comes to shops.

Getting software from a source that the user wants isn’t an advantage in any sense, but it’s not good for a company like Apple to end up hoarding so much power. Coming back to Android, the first question a newcomer to these issues might ask would be: Is there life outside the Play Store? The answer is yes and quite, so we’ll take this opportunity to mention four repositories from which you can download APK files. It is likely that we will not mention anything here that many users do not know, but it is precisely the most well-known media that, in theory, should have more eyes on them, and therefore more oversight, in order to offer trust.

APKMirror

APKMirror is owned by Android Police, a well-known website among those who follow Android news, which reinforces the trust that can be had in this repository.

Of course, the fact that it originates from a well-known news portal does not make APKMirror trustworthy in itself, so those responsible have taken care implement a policy that consists of verifying uploaded APK files before publishing themthe use of cryptographic signatures to ensure the legitimacy of updates and the fact that new apps are checked against others from the same developer to verify their legitimacy.

APKMirror allows you to get previous versions of apps and view their information extracted from the Play Store, so that those obtained through the repository can be updated using the Google Store.

Aptoide

Aptoide is another old well-known Android APK installer download that has the fact that it has more than 200 million users and has provided more than 6000 million downloads. The repository administrators have decided adopt blockchain technology (blockchain) and cryptocurrencies, so it uses its own, called AppCoinswhich allows developers to increase their share of revenue, among other things.

However, all that glitters is not gold, as Aptoide allows users to manage their own stores and therefore allows modded APKs on its platform. Even if they are flagged, it doesn’t mean that the user has to be careful with what they download.

APKP clean

And another popular option to download installers or apps in APK format. APKPure, like APKMirror, implements strict security policies to ensure as much as possible that files are safe and reliable.

As a security measure APKPure check the legitimacy of all applications before publishing using SHA1 to make sure the certificate is secure. Cryptographic signatures for new versions of applications must match previously published ones, and in the case of new applications, they are compared with other software from the same developer. If it defies the checks, the APK file will not be published.

Its features include the absence of modified APK files, lists of previous versions of apps, and it has an app that must be installed by sideloading, i.e. downloading an APK file and installing it as if it were Windows software. , although on Android you must first allow the installation of apps from third-party sources.

f droid

F-Droid is one of the most well-known alternatives to the Play Store, and it stands out by providing only applications that are published as open source. In fact, those responsible say they have literally “a catalog of free software applications for Android‘, so it’s probably suitable for those users who prefer a more Stallman experience with their smartphone, even if it would be preferable to replace the stock OS with a less atrophied ROM at the level of questionable components.

In addition to the store app, F-Droid also allows you to download and install APK files, which is almost mandatory in your case, if we see that the free software movement has always been closely associated with user freedom, although officially it only covers the availability of the source code under the conditions, which we exhibited in his time.

And in extreme cases, you can always keep the Play Store

Despite the fact that Android is characterized by giving more freedom to the user, the Play Store continues to be the reference store. On the other hand, third-party stores are not official sources, so 100% security around them is never guaranteed, although the Play Store is not without sin. However, the fact that it is from the same company that develops and promotes the operating system may be an incentive to use it over any alternative.

Conclusion

Android is not perfect when it comes to freedom for users, especially since the implementations provided by almost all mobile device manufacturers are tied to Google services and are proprietary, which is possible due to the fact that the Android Open Source Project is published mainly under the Apache 2nd license , which does not require redistribution of the source code of the derived software. However, Apple’s draconian control over its own ecosystem and difficulties with alternative operating systems have ended up leaving an entire highway empty for Google’s operating system in some ways.

On the other hand, as is the case with Windows, you need to be very careful about where you get Android app installers from, as a user who looks for third-party sources can be infected with malware with disastrous consequences.

MuyComputer is not responsible for any damages caused by using these alternative Android repositories.