Smartphone and tablet apps help you get more out of your devices, whether you need to be more productive, learn a new language, or find the best shopping deals.

However, thanks to a practice called sideloading, installing apps could risk your device and data. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is Sideloading an App?

black iPhone face-up with apps on homescreen

Sideloading refers to getting an app through a method other than the official stores for the respective platform. Sometimes, people do it because they want to revert to an older version of an app after discovering bugs with the latest versions. However, others try sideloading because they find the legitimate app stores don’t offer the options they want.

Many sideloaded apps feature content that did not make the cut to become part of the official app stores for some reason.

In 2019, Google did not allow people to sideload its apps onto Huawei devices. At that time, the U.S. government restricted several Chinese companies, including Huawei, from doing business in the country. Google’s stance was that the Huawei ban prevented products from going through the usual security reviews and compatibility tests the company requires.

Which Platforms and Devices Allow Users to Sideload Apps?

upclose image of Google Playstore on an Android phone that a person is holding

Sideloading an app is not as straightforward as people might think or hope. Doing it may involve downloading certain components or running virtual machines. Users should keep in mind that it can require getting deep into processes that quickly become confusing, even if they read instructions and go through each step slowly.

It’s also important to acknowledge that the possibility of sideloading working on a system does not mean the company associated with a platform or device approves of people doing it—quite the opposite, in fact!

Can You Sideload Apps on Android?

Sideloading is arguably the easiest to do on Google’s Android operating system. People can find sideload download options through sites that host APK packages. They then need to enable the Android setting for downloading unknown apps.

The sideloading option also goes beyond phones. The Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2 virtual reality headsets also run on Android. The easiest way to sideload is to transfer the content from an Android phone to the headset. Doing it with a PC is a more complicated alternative.

Can You Sideload Apps on Apple?

Apple has long been against sideloading content. It argues allowing people to get apps that way would compromise App Store security and raise risks for everyone who uses Apple devices.

Some workarounds reportedly let people sideload content to iPhones and iPads. However, sideloading onto iOS requires jailbreaking the device. That voids the warranty and makes operating system updates less straightforward.

Can You Sideload Apps on Windows 11?

Windows 11 openly supports sideloading Android apps so people can use them on their computers. Supporters assert this will significantly expand the number of apps Windows users can try.

Can You Sideload Apps on Streaming Platforms?

Sideloading is also possible for Amazon Fire Stick, Fire TV, and Kindle owners. Users frequently give their insights on the fastest ways to do it and report any pitfalls they encounter. In 2022, Kobo revealed a sideload mode for its e-readers.

Why Is It Risky to Sideload Apps?

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Developers are already under pressure to create and test app features in tight timeframes. Failing to ensure their apps work correctly could lead to data breaches and other costly issues.

In 2020 alone, 3,900 data breaches were recorded worldwide, costing an average of $3.86 million per breach. Without getting apps from an official source, it’s impossible to know whether anyone put them through the proper vetting process.

Malicious parties also purposefully spread harmful apps. It’s easier for them to get away with it when distributing through unofficial channels. Cybercriminals often make these apps indiscernible from the real ones. Researchers at Bitdefender found five apps that impersonate the genuine ones and contain malware.

The dangerous software can even take complete control of an Android device remotely.

Sideloading can also put an entire company and its network at risk. The rise of Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) programs can help businesses operate more efficiently while keeping overhead costs down. However, letting workers use devices they own raises the risk of data breaches if company policies do not set clear rules.

Cybercriminals often combine sideloaded apps with social engineering tactics. If people believe someone gave them a genuine source for an app they need or want, most won’t think twice about downloading it.

Some cybercriminals also prey on people who need expensive apps on a limited income. Consider a design student who needs several Adobe products for class assignments. Before shelling out the cash for them, they might perform several search queries containing the word “free.” It’s then highly likely they’ll come across “cracked” software versions that could have harmful code and require sideloading to use.

How Can You Protect Yourself and Get Safe Apps?

man in white button-down holding phone and typing with one finger

The easiest way to steer clear of the complications of sideloaded apps is to avoid the temptation to find them. It only takes seconds to enter a search query that will probably bring you a source for sideloaded apps. However, they require circumventing all the protections the official app stores use to weed out problematic content.

The Google Play Protect feature checks all apps before people download them. It also performs periodic scans of the existing content on someone’s device and warns them of potentially harmful items. None of those things happen when people go outside an official app store’s boundaries. Apple takes a layered approach to maintain security in its App Store.

Occasions may arise when you find an interesting app and notice that the official stores do not offer it. In those cases, it’s worth reaching out to the developers and asking them why. The response may be that the application is under review for inclusion. It should be worth the wait.

Alternatively, you may learn the developers have no intention of distributing it through the official channels. This particular scenario is cause for concern and a strong signal to consider different apps that you can get without sideloading.

If you're not browsing the app stores themselves, always use the app store links from an application’s official website if it has one. Otherwise, you risk finding a search engine result that a hacker specifically designed to trick people into downloading dangerous content.

Think Carefully Before Sideloading

Sideloading is not a risk-free or harmless activity. It may void your phone’s warranty or expose the device to data-stealing malware. If you decide to try it, think about sideloading apps onto an old phone you don’t use regularly and which has limited data.

It’s certainly frustrating to find that the official channels don’t offer all the apps you need or want. However, that will rarely happen. If it does, understand and accept the possible consequences before proceeding.