An APK is simply an ordinary file extension that is commonly used in Android Mobile OS, ChromeOS. .Apk files are supported program extension of Android which is installed to your Android device.
But remember as Android is open source and it actually allows users to sideload the apk file from the local storage it is mandatory to check the source of Apk File, meaning the PlayStore and some authentic sites like Softonic, UpToDown, or Apkmirror like websites provide you alternate options to sideload te apk file onto your smartphone, but sometimes people download it
Some APK files may contain harmful code, unwanted advertisements or malicious permissions that can affect your device and personal information very badly.
So next time before installing any .APK file, it is very important to check whether the file itself comes from a trustworthy source!
My name is Krish and I’m the owner of ApkBun.com and today i’ll provide you the important safety and precautionary information in this Article related to .APK files.
Here’re some useful check points that needs to be followed before installing an apk file on your device.
1. Download the App APK Files From the Trusted Sources Only
The first thing first, you should check, is the website from which you are downloading the APK file is genuine or not!
As per my opinion always prefer the official developer website like battlegroundsmobileindia.com or a well-established application distribution platform like UpToDown, Aptoid, Softonic, or ApkMirror. Avoid downloading files from random/fake/phishing websites, suspicious advertisements or unknown links shared through social media or received on your mail.
A trustworthy source always provides the proper application information, developer details, version information and is always updated and matched to latest versions.
Here’s simple chart with priority -
- Google Play Store(Official Android App Store) : 100% Safe
- Official Dev. Site: 100% Safe
- Large App Distribution Sites: Safe but prefer security checks before installing.
- Random Website/Link: Inherited Security Risks, Check Cautiously.
2. Scan the APK File Before Installing
I think to determine whether apk file is safe or not it is one of the easiest ways to check an APK file is to scan it using a security services like Virus Total & McAfee.
You can trust McAfee or VirusTotal to check whether an Apk file is detected as harmful by several security engines that are trusted.
You can check it by simply uploading onto such site or you can provide direct link even more safer way not even downloading to your device, keeping your browser safe from malicious scripts too.
However, keep in mind that there’s no security scanner which can guarantee that a file is completely safe. A clean green scan result does not always indicate that an application app file is harmful or not better you keep your human sense activated, and check app permissions.
3. Check App Permissions
See here you have to check wisely, I mean if you see a calculator app is asking for Camera permission that’s prima facie illicit app.
Always check whether the requested permissions of a particular app make sense for its purpose, here it is all about the precautionary sense.
4. Verify the Developer Information
Check the actual developer or publisher name on the actual source before downloading an application, There could be some phishing app that names the genuine application name which can be confusing so always check the app developer name
You can check app package name via apps like ZArchiver, If package name matches with the actual app ( google it if it shows same app) you can install it.
5. Use Google Play Protect (My personal favourite)
Here Google Play Protect comes which is a built-in security feature available on Android devices embedded with Google Play Store, If on it matches all the binary data of an app being installed, blocks or ask for security scan, If the app is altered it shows the warning.
By default it is on and it one of the best and my personal favourite security feature of an Android Device for Tech Savy like us who experiment with the apps.
You can find it and enable it if disable by opening the Google Play Store app and then tapping on your profile icon and scrolling down to Play Protect.
Make sure Play Protect is enabled and keep your device security features updated.
Conclusion
Installing APK files manually can be sometimes useful for certain reasons, however, users should always be careful before installing files from third-party sources.
Check the actual download source, scan the file, review the requested permissions and verify the developer information. These simple precautions can help in reducing the risk of installing harmful applications on your Android device.
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