How to Install Non-Market Applications on your Android Smartphone

Every Android smartphone owner knows that the best source of applications for their device is the Google Play Store. Aside from hosting millions of application of different categories Google also makes it a point that each app is safe for you to install. This minimizes the threat of malware gaining access of your phone.

There are however instances when you need to install a non-market application. You may have been given an application to test out or downloaded an APK (Android Application Package) file from a website and need to install it in your smartphone. The problem is that if you click on the file it won’t automatically install. You will get a message stating that you will first need to allow the installation of apps from unknown sources.

Below are the steps you have to perform to allow installation of APK files on your Android smartphone.

• From the Home screen, tap the Application screens icon.
• Find and tap Settings > Security.
• Mark the Unknown sources checkbox.
• Your phone will now install apps from sources other than the Google Play Store

I must however warn you that by installing apps from unofficial sources you run the risk of having your device infected by malware.  If you really must install an app manually then I suggest having an updated security software installed in your device first. This way if the app you installed has malware your security software will notify you about it and deal with it.