Sometimes, the Android app you want to install may not be available on the Play Store due to various reasons. In such cases, you can download it from APK download sites, which may pose a security risk if you are not careful. So, here are some safe sites to download Android APK files.
APKMirror is probably the best APK download site for Android and one of the best Google Play Store alternatives. It's owned and operated by the same team that created the widely used Android news site, Android Police, which should reassure you that you're in safe hands.
From a security standpoint, APKMirror has some strong policies in place. Staff verifies all APK files uploaded to the site before publishing, and the site matches the cryptographic signatures of new versions of apps with previous versions (to ensure they are signed by real developers). Brand new apps are matched against other apps from the same developer to verify their legitimacy, and as such, you won't find pirated or modified apps.
You can get older versions of each app, see information pulled from the Play Store, and access a list of related apps. If an app you installed from APKMirror receives an update from the Play Store later, you can easily update to the latest version.
Like APKMirror, this APK site adheres to strict security practices to ensure that all APK files it saves are safe and virus-free. So, how is an APK safe? The site verifies the legitimacy of all applications before publishing using SHA1 to ensure that the certificate is secure. The cryptographic signatures of new versions of applications must match previously published versions, and new applications are completely matched to other software from the same developer.
If the APK questions the security of the app or its origins, it will not be listed on the site. As such, there are no modified APK files on the APK. In terms of ease of use of the site, APKPure pulls screenshots, app descriptions, and general metadata directly from the Google Play Store.
There is also a list of previous app versions in case you want to go back to an older version due to features or bugs. The APK also has an Android app available. You can install the app manually as you would any Android app, but once you launch it, it can serve as an alternative to the Play Store.
F-Droid is a third-party APK download site that specializes in free and open source (FOSS) apps for Android. You can find some of the best open source alternatives to Android apps on F-Droid. This makes it a great choice for anyone concerned about privacy. F-Droid is transparent about what you get when you download. It lists what it calls “counter-features” for each app, which can include ads, tracking, and even potential security concerns.
There are also fewer apps here than other sites on our list, although they still number in the thousands. For various reasons, you won't find some of them in the Play Store either. You can download APK files directly from the site, but they also come with their own client, which simplifies the process of finding, installing and updating apps.
Uptodown is another reliable and safe site to get Android APK files. It has been around long enough and prioritizes the safety of uploaded APK files. All APK files uploaded on the site are scanned for viruses and, moreover, it matches the cryptographic signatures of new versions of apps with previous versions for security.
It lists the different app versions, and you can choose which version you want to download. Uptodown is not a mirror of the Google Play Store; It includes personalized app descriptions, user reviews, and original screenshots of the listed apps.
As with the other sites on this list, there's a lot of metadata, which means you can avoid the Play Store entirely. Additionally, the site has an Android app that you can download to quickly search, install, and update apps on your device. In addition to Android apps, the site also lists Windows and macOS apps.
Aptoide is another giant in the world of APK downloading; It has over 300 million users and has been responsible for over seven billion downloads. Like APK and Uptodown, the site offers an Android app that allows you to easily access the store and download APK files from your Android device. Besides popular Android apps like WhatsApp and Facebook, you can use it to find apps that are not in the Play Store.
Aptoide takes security seriously by checking all listed APK files for safety. However, Aptoide is nowhere near the top of our list because it allows users to manage their stores and thus makes modified APKs available on the platform. They are well referenced, but you may end up downloading one by mistake if you're not paying attention.
These sites are the best and safest places to download Android APK files. Despite their safety, you should always take extra precautions when downloading APK files. One way to stay safe is to only download official APK files. And don't be tempted to download paid apps for free, this is not only wrong but also one of the most common ways to get your phone infected with malware.