Before you start
An APK is the installer file Android uses. Installing one from outside the Play Store means Android will ask your permission first, because you are taking responsibility for the file. Check the VirusTotal link on the app page before you continue.
Android 8 and newer
- Download the APK from the app page. Chrome will warn that this file type can harm your device — that warning appears for every APK, including safe ones. Tap Download anyway if you trust the source.
- Open the file from your notification shade, or from Files → Downloads.
- Android will say the browser is not allowed to install unknown apps. Tap Settings on that prompt.
- Turn on Allow from this source, then press back.
- Tap Install, wait, then Open.
Android 7 and older
- Go to Settings → Security.
- Turn on Unknown sources and accept the warning.
- Open the downloaded APK and tap Install.
Turn the permission back off
Once the app is installed, go back and switch off Allow from this source for your browser. It costs you nothing and it stops a future drive-by download from installing itself.
If the install fails
"App not installed" almost always means one of four things: an older copy of the same app is still on the phone with a different signature, the download was cut short, your phone is out of storage, or the APK targets a newer Android than yours. Uninstall the old copy, re-download, free some space, and check the Requires line on the app page.