Last Updated: December 7th, 2023
If you are an Android user you must be aware of the APK file. APK stands for Android Package Kit, an APK is a file format used to install apps on the Android operating system.
Google Play Store has about 2.8 million apps available for download for various purposes. However, there may be a possibility that an Android app that you want to install is not available in the Play Store. Check Google Play Alternatives.
There may be various reasons including geo-blocking of the app, unwanted content inside the app, or removal by Google Play Store due to some other reasons, or maybe the developer has removed the app. In any of such issues, the users can still download the app on their device using platforms other than the Play Store.
When you download and install an Android app from Google Play, you don’t get access to the APK file as it runs in the background. However, APK is the installer package of an app, when you download and install an APK file on your device, you give the required permissions to it which can be a serious threat. Not all APK file downloaders are safe, cybercriminals can install malware on your system by modifying the APK.
The article hereby lists several such platforms offering free APK downloads with complete security and reliability.
Download Android APK from a Safe Site
1. APKMirror
APKMirror is one of the most popular APK downloading sites for Android. One of the popular handlers of the Android News site named Android Police is the core management of this platform. You can assume your file to be in the safest available hands without the possibility of any misuse.
It is not easy to anonymously upload files on the platform. Before approval of the files, the management team verifies every single file for authentication purposes. To verify the actual developer’s signature, the cryptographic signature matching procedure is carried on. Without finalizing the complete validation procedure, it is never possible to publish the files on the platform. You are accessing the older available versions and going through the entire information from Google Play. In case an app receives an update from Google Play after installation inside the device, it will automatically be updated as per the requirements. The app will take the format of the latest available update
2. APKPure
APKPure is another best available alternative to APKMirror matching similar terms and conditions in terms of safety and security issues. This platform also assures the downloading individuals about the authenticity of the apps downloaded on the device for any application purpose.
The platform verifies the authenticity of all the available apps using the SHA1 procedure. This assures the availability of the certificates is genuine in all aspects. The system matches the cryptographic signatures for the newer app’s versions with the older available versions to ensure legitimacy. Both the signatures of the developers must match in terms of safer downloading purposes.
If any doubts concerning the app, the company denies publishing it on the platform. The metadata of the app along with the screenshots, etc are taken out directly from Google by the company. In case the individuals want to have access to the older versions, they can have access to and conversion process.
There is also an Android app for APKPure, but after it takes the running format, one can assume it is the best alternative to the Google Play Store.
3. Aptoide
Aptoide is another alternative to the Play Store offering the facilities of downloading the apps with safety features. To date, there has been an approximate figure of 6 billion downloads. The current number of users linked to the site for downloading APKs is over 200 million.
The website comes first in the category of adopting blockchain technology for the security and safety of the users. The feature title ‘Appcoins’ helps developers in boosting revenue over time. There is also an app on the platform allowing users to download the app directly by accessing mobile devices.
4. Yalp Store
Yalp Store is another safe place for downloading APK files. Unlike all the other available categories, it is extremely different as it never has any website version. Instead, the users need to install the app from one of the major alternatives of Google Play Store famous with the name F-Droid.
After installing the Yalp Store from the Google Play Store, the users find it convenient to download any apps from the Google Play Store directly. There can never be the possibility of unwanted malware injection from a person as done in most of the unauthentic APKs.
In case your device is rooted, no more instructions are essential for the automatic upgrade of the apps. It automatically gets upgraded in the backend.
To download the APKs from Google Play, there is no requirement for a Gmail account for the users. No more worries about Google’s privacy policies for downloading the file.
5. APK Downloader
APK Downloader extracts all the APKs from the Google Play Store. It makes the downloading process authentic for every single user without any possibility of unwanted malware. The app automatically accesses the metadata providing the users the information about photos and other details.
The users can access the appropriate categorization making the search process of the apps very easy for the newbie. SHA1 and APK Signature accessing are easy allowing the users to check the authenticity of the concern very easily. The users can also download the older versions and match their requirements with the newer ones.
6. APK-DL
This platform offers an environment for individuals to download the APK files directly from the Google Play Store. The apps and games get downloaded conveniently using the platform. Accessing the apps from the Play Store makes the downloading procedure safe and secure. The interface of the website seems a little out of trend, but still, the user focuses on the best available service provided here.
7. APK Bucket
APK Bucket acts as an APK downloader to get access to the entire package using the Google Play URL. It means that the site provides a list of trusted sources to grab the files without any security issues. This medium is one of the preferred choices of users all across the world for downloading APKs of different kinds.
There are several other similar platforms for downloading the APKs with complete safety and security features. The other platforms include APK4Fun, Softpedia, and a few others with top-end downloading features. If you are aware of any other sites to download APK safely, comment below!