AT previous versions android apps, not found in the Play Store, could be installed if there was a checkmark in the device's security menu. In Oreo, this has changed.

How installing apps from unknown sources works

In previous Android versions, if you wanted to install an app not found in the Play Store, then you had to go to Settings > Security and . Essentially, this meant that the phone ignored security protocols set for apps outside of official channels and allowed them to be installed.

This is a great feature for a number of reasons. It allows developers to release their apps for testing outside of the Play Store. It gives users the ability to manually update apps before the update is officially available on their phones. For the most part, this is good.

But, like all good things, there is a downside. Enabling this feature opens the door for viruses and other types of malware. software that can infiltrate the phone. For example, some of the biggest Android threats were with apps that could install themselves directly from SMS messages without any interaction from the user.

How installation from unknown sources has changed in Android Oreo

So, in Oreo, Google decided to change the way unknown sources work. Instead of a simple switch that allows any application to download and install third party applications, this feature is now enabled on a per-app basis. This is an incredibly good move.

For example, I often install apps downloaded from APKMirror. Since they are all downloaded through the default browser, Chrome, I can just allow only this application to install applications. This means that any APK (Android Package Kit) that I download using Chrome can bypass Android security settings (including Google Play Protect), but if I tried the same using any other browser, even others Chrome versions, this setting will be blocked. I'm sure you already understand how good it is.

Another great example is the Amazon Underground. It's an Amazon store and an Appstore in one package. Google does not allow app stores to be installed from Google Play, so the Amazon Appstore app cannot be downloaded directly from the Play Store. Amazon found a way around this limitation by offering Underground as a free download from the Internet. With the Underground app, users can install everything available on the Amazon Appstore.

So, the new installation from unknown sources policy is really beneficial. Historically users using App Store Amazon left the "Unknown Sources" option enabled, so apps could be easily installed or updated. However, in Oreo, install from unknown sources can only be enabled for the Amazon Underground app. This will allow you to install applications as needed, as well as protect the rest of the system.

How to allow installation from unknown sources in Android Oreo

Now that you know what has changed and why, let's talk about where you can find these new settings.

First, pull down the notification panel and click on the gear icon to go to the Settings menu.

Here, click on Apps & Notifications and then click on the drop-down menu of Advanced Settings.

Select Special Access, then Install Unknown Apps at the very bottom of this menu.

When developing an operating Android systems it was assumed that the choice and will be carried out mainly through the store Google Apps Play, although the ability to install programs from other sources is also provided, only it is disabled by default.

Allow installation from unknown sources

To install programs not only from Google Play, but also in the form of installation files from other resources, you need to give permission to install from unknown sources. For this you need:

  1. Go to section " Settings» — Applications > Settings.
  2. Go to section " Safety» — Apps > Settings > Security.
  3. Put a checkmark on the item " Unknown sources allow installation of apps from unknown sources»

How to install an .apk file on Android from a third-party source

An .apk file is an executable application file for the Android operating system. AT this format Android programs are distributed through application stores, and they can also be manually downloaded to a smartphone or tablet from specialized sites, with their subsequent launch for execution.

For example, you saw an application you like available for download on the site, but you are used to installing programs through Google Play market, and now downloaded the installation file, but what's next? It needs to be installed on your device, to do this, do the following:


Now the application is installed and you can use it as you wish. It is worth warning that by installing applications downloaded in the form of .apk installers, an inexperienced user is at risk of infecting his device with a virus. There are a lot of .apk programs on the net with tempting offers, like: update your Android to latest version, install Flash Player, win the lottery, install a super erotic game, etc. Beware of installing such programs, such offers have only one purpose - to introduce a virus into your smartphone or tablet. Download .apk files only from reputable sites.

Third Party App Stores

If for some reason you are not satisfied with Google Play, although with its gigantic assortment it is not clear what may not suit you, then you can always use third-party app stores that many well-known Internet companies have, such as Yandex. However, the variety of programs in such stores will always be inferior to Google Play.

If you still decide to use programs from third-party stores, then you need to consider the following things:

  • Download the store client only from an official source, for example. Attackers can offer some special client on fake sites, in which all applications are free and without ads.
  • Each store has its own rules, often different from the Google Play rules you are used to.
  • Third party stores may require additional registration and may not work in some countries.

Probably all owners of new smartphones with operating system Android 8.0 and above noticed that the item for installing applications from "Unknown sources" disappeared in the settings. AT new version systems, the approach to this matter has changed and the settings have changed, but it is still possible to install APK files downloaded from our site or from other sites, and in this article we will tell you what needs to be done for this.
Meaning modern protection from installing from APK files is that we can allocate rights to install APK files to a separate application that will run the installation of files. Those. if you picked up a virus and it is updated through the APK, then in the new version of the system it will not be able to do this, and this is the meaning of protection. But if we purposefully need to install the APK that we download ourselves, then we do it as follows.

How to configure APK installation from unknown sources in Android 8.0

Let's say we download applications in the form of apk through the Chrome browser. In order to install them, you need Chrome browser select special permissions in the settings, after which the files downloaded by him will be installed without problems. Those. for each program you will need to enable this permission, and now there will be an example on Chrome.

1. Lower the curtain and go to the settings through the button gears.

Now we select the application through which we will load and install APK files. In this case, we will have the Chrome browser.

Believe it or not, many android users never knew that Android allows you to install apps from other sources, not just from the Play Store. The Play Store is good enough, but if you're here, you probably want to download Android apps from the side. Turning on unknown sources may be one of the first things some of you do after buying a new phone. If you have an older version of Android android oreo, to install an APK not downloaded from Play Store, you can simply check the box next to Unknown sources in Settings > Security. Google has made this process more secure in Android Oreo and renamed the setting to Install unknown apps and changed its location. Moreover, unknown sources or APK files or unknown applications, one might say, have a dedicated page for themselves, and not just a line with a checkbox.

Why? Because as soon as you allow APK installation from other sources in pre-Oreo versions of Android, it becomes a potential breeding ground for malware. You may have given permission APK installation developer or source you trust. Maybe it's even a third-party store for which you have enabled permission in the settings. However, there was no way to ensure that some other application did not take advantage of this situation. Let's say you installed an app from the Play Store, which is pretty safe. Now there is no way to guarantee that this safe application will not install other applications that are not from the Play Store. In Android Oreo, only an app that you give permission to install unknown apps can actually install other apps.

For example, if you download an APK from Chrome and click on the download notification to install it, you must give Chrome permission to install unknown apps. Next, if you use file explorer to install this or any other APK, you will have to provide again file explorer it's the same resolution. It sounds annoying, but it really isn't. You don't often install third-party APKs from several different apps. Also, no app that you have given permission to can install malware or any other app. How can I give permission to unknown sources or unknown applications?

How to Allow Unknown Apps to be Installed on Android Oreo

There is no settings page where you can go and enable permissions for any app you install. You must grant this permission as soon as you decide to run the package installer from within the application. For example, when you click APK in file manager or download notification in Chrome.

  1. No matter which APK app you try to install, Android will tell you that the specified app is not allowed to install unknown apps for your safety.
  2. Select Settings from the pop-up window.
  3. You will then be redirected to a page where you can allow the app to install unknown apps. Just turn on the toggle next to Allow from this source.
  4. Press the back button and you will see that the APK can now be installed.

Revoke Permissions to Install Unknown Apps on Android Oreo

You may not fully trust the app, but in your adventurous spirit, you have decided to allow the app to install unknown apps. You quickly realize what it is bad decision but how do you go back and revoke the permission? You will realize that simply pressing the back button on the package installer will not help.

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Luckily for you, there is a dedicated settings page where you can manage these permissions for apps that have been requested at any given time.

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap Apps & notifications. This is a new category in Android Oreo that was previously split into two different categories.
  3. At the bottom, click Advanced settings to expand the list where you will find Special Access. Click on it.
  4. At the very bottom is the line Install unknown applications, which you must select.
  5. Here you will find a list of all applications that have or have not been given the specified permission.
  6. Just click on the app you want to revoke permission for and turn off the toggle.
  7. Likewise, you can allow a previously blocked app.

Installing applications on a smartphone is an opportunity to make mobile device more functional and useful. Unfortunately, not all applications can be found in the Google Play app store, and sometimes it is not available on the smartphone at all. The solution to this problem is the ability to install apk files downloaded directly from the Internet, but for security reasons, this is prohibited by default. To allow installation from unknown sources, you only need to change one setting in the system.

To do this, go to the smartphone settings and click on the “Security” section. A list of available security settings will open, which you can change as needed. Among the existing list, look for the item “Unknown sources” and activate the switch located next to it.

A system window will appear informing you that when installing applications using apk files (from unknown sources), there is a risk of smartphone infection and you are solely responsible for any damage caused to the phone, as well as data loss, which theoretically can occur when using official unverified (or not approved) by Google.

Click "Yes" and confirm your consent.

After that, your smartphone will be able to install applications not only from app stores, but also from installation apk files, a huge variety of which can be found on the vast expanses of the Internet.