Install third-party apps on an Android phone
-Most android users will get their app fixed from the android market, but there are plenty of very cool apps to be found outside of the market from small developers and more recently from third-party sources such as Amazon's app store for android.
Out of the box, your android phone will not allow you to make use of these third-party apps, flagging them as untrusted sources, but come on.
You can trust Amazon, right?
I'm Antuan Goodwin with cnet.com and I'm gonna show you how to enable third-party app installation on your android phone.
Now, enabling this function is actually quite simple.
Just pop into your android phone's setting menu.
Look for the applications option.
Tap that and then look for an option that says unknown sources.
It is usually the first one here, but the placement can vary from phone to phone.
Check that box then back out of the menu and wahla!
You'll be able to install third-party apps from anywhere.
Now, the apps themselves are usually transported to .apk file and can be found all over the place.
The easiest place will be from Amazon's app store, but don't let your hunt stop there.
Often time, app makers will make beta versions of their app such as the swipe alternative keyboard available on their website, which can be downloaded and installed directly from your phone's browser.
Other places to look include android-hacking communities such as the XDA developer forums or the droid forums where devs are always cooking up neat little applets that you can download to your phone's SC card and then access and install using a file manager such as Astro.
Unfortunately, access to the third-party app installation function is at the discretion of your wireless service provider.
So, for example, users of AT&T-powered android phone such as the ATRIX 4G and Samsung captivate are unable to use or even see this option without first routing their phone and possibly getting your hands dirty with some command line action.
Well, there you have it.
You're now free to get your apps from wherever you darn well please.
Be sure to check out the Android Atlas blog for even more android tips and tricks and CNET TV for even more how-to videos.
This has been Antuan Goodwin with cnet.com showing you how it's done.
Up Next
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
Up Next
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro
How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro
How to Make a GPT in ChatGPT-4
How to Make a GPT in ChatGPT-4
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy Watch 6
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy Watch 6
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
What to Expect at Apple's May 7 iPad Event
What to Expect at Apple's May 7 iPad Event
Did a Week With the Apple Watch Make Me Use My iPhone Less?
Did a Week With the Apple Watch Make Me Use My iPhone Less?
How Google Tests the Cameras in Its Pixel Phones
How Google Tests the Cameras in Its Pixel Phones
Boston Dynamics' New Electric Atlas vs. Tesla's Optimus
Boston Dynamics' New Electric Atlas vs. Tesla's Optimus
What is the Fediverse?
What is the Fediverse?
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
Latest How To All how to videos
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro