Here’s how readers sideload APKs on their Android phones in 2026
Third-party app stores are not nearly as popular as you might think.
In mid-August, Google implemented sideloading restrictions on Android, making it more difficult for users to install apps from third-party app stores or sources. To determine the most common method for sideloading apps, a reader poll was conducted, and the results were eye-opening. Over 63% of respondents preferred manually downloading APKs from sources like GitHub or other repositories, bypassing the need for a middleman and installing them using Android's package manager.
While third-party apps like InstallWithOptions offer more advanced single APK installation procedures, they may not be essential for everyone. Only 20.7% of respondents chose to sideload apps through alternative app stores, such as Obtanium for GitHub-based installations and F-Droid for other sources. However, this option may not be as hassle-free as manually downloading APKs.
A smaller 16% of readers do not sideload apps at all, relying solely on the Google Play Store. As Android's sideloading restrictions come into effect, it remains to be seen if readers will adapt their methods for finding and installing apps outside the Play Store.
Written by urgent.news from Android Authority's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
