How To Enable Install From Unknown Sources Android

What is Unknown Sources?

Unknown sources define places outside the Google Play Store from which yous downloaded an apk app. Google considers its own Play Store as the only trusted source for apps to be installed on Android.

However there are situations when you need to download unknown sources, such as apps coming from third-political party marketplaces or apps that are currently in beta-testing phase. Platforms such equally Appaloosa enable app distribution outside the Play Store and crave such permissions. Such distribution method is also known as sideloading.

Since the early Android operating organization versions, users have to explicitly approve unknown sources to be enabled in settings.

And then if you are trying to install a downloaded apk without this setting enabled, y'all will exist prompted with this message:

For your security, your phone is not immune to install unknown apps from this source.

unknown sources on Android

How to enable Unknown Sources in Android?

To allow apps to exist downloaded from Unknown Sources, follow the steps below

For old Android versions (iv.0, Lollipop 5.0, Marshmallow vi.0, Nougat 7.0)

Go to your Android Settings > Security
Cheque the pick Unknown sources
Tap OK on the prompt bulletin
Select Trust

enable unknown sources

If you are running Android 9.0 and later, you will need to allow Unknown sources for each app willing to install an apk file. For instance if yous are using two browsers such as Chrome and Firefox, you lot will need to allow both Chrome and Firefox to install unknown sources.

For New Android Versions (Oreo, Pie, Android 10, 11 and 12)

Become to your Android Settings > Apps & Notifications
Select Advanced or the three dots at the top-right corner – users might see either option depending on their device
Select Special App Access
Choose Install Unknown Apps
Select the apps you want to allow to sideload apk files

About Security

As a proficient security measure, it is recommended that you don't trust the source where you are installing the apps from. This restriction was introduced by Google to forbid malware from being distributed. Equally Google can only guarantee that apps originating from its ain Google Play Store are safe, yous should just activate unknown sources:

from sources – ie developers or websites – that are trusted
one time when installing the app. You can conciliate this unknown sources feature later on each utilize.

However yous are still protected. Google has enabled a security feature on all Android phones called Google Play Protect. It aims at protecting the entire device with iii features: theft prevention, web browsing protection and apps scanning. While it is generally activated on all devices, you can bank check its condition in Google Play Store > Play Protect.

Apps scanning means that Google scans non only publicly available apk through their search engine, it also browse apps that are sideloaded past users on their device. This characteristic enables threat detection beyond devices. For instance if you are trying to download an apk file flagged equally dangerous past Google Play Protect (either by their routine scanning or because other users have reported the file), it volition display a alarm message.

This means that even if you actuate unknown sources, there's still a condom net.

Unknown sources in an enterprise context

While unknown sources is unremarkably used to sideload apps for the full general audience, businesses might likewise be interested in deploying apps outside the Google Play Store for their own employees or partners.

Businesses are and so faced with 2 options for app distribution on Android:

ask users to enable unknown sources for app installs just originating from an enterprise app store
deploy a mobile application management solution making use of Google Play for Piece of work

Enterprise app distribution with unknown sources

When allowing distribution of enterprise apps with unknown sources, admins either have the risk associated with the policy or tin can't do otherwise.

Indeed, if the target devices are already managed elsewhere by enterprise mobility direction and if the app can't be included into this solution, then there is no other pick than apps sideloading.

Even so while users are afraid of risks using unknown sources, businesses should as well exist aware that using app sideloading does non offering protection to their app one time installed and might expose it to tempering, hacking or theft.

Businesses in this scenario must protect their apps before its distribution or built their own condom need with app security development best practices.

Appaloosa offers a uncomplicated app shop which can fit this app distribution use case.

Enterprise app distribution with mobile application management

In that location's a better way to distribute apps in an enterprise context: mobile application management with Android Enterprise.

Mobile awarding management on Android enables the safe hosting and distribution of android apps to employees. When platforms such as Appaloosa brand use of Google Play's API, apps can be safely distributed without using unknown sources. They are hosted in a private, business organisation department of the Google Play store and are kept in a secure, separate container on the user's device.