Hi,
First of fall I've searched the forums and found no recommendations so far, except for this thread, which only lists the alternatives.
So, my issue is that many apps on Google Play are rendered incompatible with my Samsung Galaxy Nexus (Stock 4.0.4) after I've changed my DPI.
What I'd like is a good alternative to Google Play which:
i) Contains most of the apps on Google Play.
ii) Doesn't render them incompatible unless there's a compatibility issue with the Android version, or something more critical than changed DPI.
I don't mind using the list in the thread mentioned above, but I'd like to save time on testing by asking you for recommendations. Especially developers would probably know which ones they usually use in addition to Google Play.
- rlmaers
There is no other market...
There are unofficial markets. I only found out about there being unofficial ones because of a news report saying how a lot of apps/games have been loaded with some sort of nastyware. For example, Angry Birds Space
worldwideweb.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2167511/cybercriminals-malware-infected-angry-birds-game-target-smartphone-users
With that in mind I wouldn't really try to venture too far down unofficial markets.
Here is an example, AndroLib, of an unofficial market: worldwideweb.androlib.com
Replace worldwideweb with appropriate meaning
There is absolutely no market comparable to Google Play, that has even remotely as much content as it.
Closest you're going to get is the Amazon App Store.
that market is really the worst thing on android. it has so many restrictions its outwitting itself at times. even under stock i couldn't download a ton of apps with my nexus. but when i sideloaded them it always worked.
what you can do is try hacks, there are several here on xda. i made one for my tablet mode topic, you might wanna try: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1543892 it works for me and a bunch of others.
you might want to try amazon market too
Thanks for the input, from all of you.
Apps loaded with malware isn't even an option, so I guess I'll have to stick with Google Play (and perhaps Amazon App Store).
@molesarecoming: Who's done the hack on the Play app you've linked? (I guess I'm paranoid about malware every time I download something, even on XDA).
i did it, but you can trust me ... i guess.
seriously, i had the same problem that you have right now and i did something about it, no evil intentions.
play store mod
about 2 or 3 days ago there was a post on portal about a moded play store
i think it was on i9000 forum
the moded store allows to install incompatible apps or apps that are for other countries.
i tried it and it was fine but i removed it because i didnt use it.
i think it might be helpfull for you
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions &
Read the Forum Rules Ref Posting
Moving to Q&A
Thanks for the help. I'll try it out!
it's old, i know.
I use aptoide store and f-droid
f-droid is really small, but I support it in it's approach (open Software)
aptoide features alot of apps and actually I'm not missing much
NO google-software on my phone!
toggler said:
it's old, i know.
I use aptoide store and f-droid
f-droid is really small, but I support it in it's approach (open Software)
aptoide features alot of apps and actually I'm not missing much
NO google-software on my phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aptoide is "quite" good, yes it has a lot of apps because they let people upload any app in their own store.
The problem is that they do not check that published app are owned by the people who publish it, so it contains a lot of hacked apps !
Other serious app stores: amazon, opera
Related
Hello
I know that I must wear a condom while surfing the net and installing apps to keep safe but is Google.Play the only safe place to visit for Android Apps?
Or are there other good, and safe places to download free and paid for apps?
I only ask as an app I bought from the Android Market, which changed to Google.Play is no longer on the site. However the app can be found in a place called AndroidPit. I can't find any reviews of this site and I don't know if I can trust them with my credit card details.
google play is the safest and cant tell about other "unofficial" alternatives,
but to browse apps appbrain is good but when you want to download something it forwards you to google play.. there is some plugin for appbrain which enables web download but i never tried it cause i m happy with google play
1mobile.com is a decent site, you can download the vast majority of free apps. Doesn't have any paid apps though. If you're in the US, Amazon App Store is probably a reasonable alternative.
the lemming said:
Hello
I know that I must wear a condom while surfing the net and installing apps to keep safe but is Google.Play the only safe place to visit for Android Apps?
Or are there other good, and safe places to download free and paid for apps?
I only ask as an app I bought from the Android Market, which changed to Google.Play is no longer on the site. However the app can be found in a place called AndroidPit. I can't find any reviews of this site and I don't know if I can trust them with my credit card details.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not recommend market alternative ,if you want to play safe applications.
Google Play at least when it is discovered malware is deleted (even remotely).
Alternative market of this assurance level do not have it ..
Actually getjar.com is good, its how I get tapatalk free and its a reputable site so should be safe
Dave
( http://www.google.com/producer/editions/CAownKXmAQ/bigfatuniverse )
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk
ancilary said:
google play is the safest and cant tell about other "unofficial" alternatives,
but to browse apps appbrain is good but when you want to download something it forwards you to google play.. there is some plugin for appbrain which enables web download but i never tried it cause i m happy with google play
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mmm safest...http://www.ghacks.net/2011/11/13/free-android-anti-virus-apps-are-proved-useless/
app brain fast web install plugin works flawlessly , and i think app brain is a good choice/alt,
sometimes smoother than goo play
Google Play is far and beyond the best and safest place to find apps, including apps up to date.
how to download removed purchased apps
the lemming said:
Hello
I know that I must wear a condom while surfing the net and installing apps to keep safe but is Google.Play the only safe place to visit for Android Apps?
Or are there other good, and safe places to download free and paid for apps?
I only ask as an app I bought from the Android Market, which changed to Google.Play is no longer on the site. However the app can be found in a place called AndroidPit. I can't find any reviews of this site and I don't know if I can trust them with my credit card details.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you still have the direct link to your paid app, there is a high chance it is still available in the market, even if the developer and google says other wise!
I had a similar situation for an app called pzizz which was apparently removed from the market due to changes in the company that makes it,
neither the new management nor google told me it still exists,
I managed to download it though by accessing the market from my pc and downloading it.
this could happen only if
you have the original link of the paid app ( you could not find the app by searching or browsing google play, you must have the original link)
you purchased the app before it is removed, if you didnt, the direct link for the app would not work, only if you purchased the app and signed in by the account in which the app was purchased you would be able to see the app
requesting to download the app from a computer, you cant do this directly from your phone and further when it is downloaded it will not be linked to the market
good luck
Why not Aptoide?
the lemming said:
Hello
I know that I must wear a condom while surfing the net and installing apps to keep safe but is Google.Play the only safe place to visit for Android Apps?
Or are there other good, and safe places to download free and paid for apps?
I only ask as an app I bought from the Android Market, which changed to Google.Play is no longer on the site. However the app can be found in a place called AndroidPit. I can't find any reviews of this site and I don't know if I can trust them with my credit card details.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw your post and I had to reply. I worked for Aptoide, which is an independent android marketplace and they do a screening to the apps (at least the ones in their "apps" repository) so that they're free of malware. They were thinking of launching paid apps soon, but for now you have a lot of free apps that are safe to download.
Try it, maybe you'll be surprised!
What about slideme?
Sent from my SGH-I777
Hey I am making a list of all available apk file or google play alternatives on my site so far i have managed to collect 23 and still adding just make sure to check it out it may help check gprsgeek.blogspot.com
Just made a apk hacker on for any app
check it on my site http://www.netalien.biz/newapkhackerlaunched:cowboy:
Mobango and androidfreeware could be alternative, plus apps.opera.com
Alternatives to Google Play
Some third party sites that are known to be safe are apkpure, apknite, apkmirror
Well then... now that android is a major contender in the mobile OS wars. Had the G1 from day one.
My only complaint from android... is the quality of apps. Also, repeat of the same apps over and over again in the play store. Recently I've been scouring the market place and I noticed that there are a lot of apps that seem kinda... a waste... For example... just how many weather apps and widgets do you need? most of the time they copy HTC, Samsung, or Sony apps (weather, clock, calendar etc) and slap on a generic name onto it.
Now Im all for "oh android is OPEN" but at least put some effort on making an app
this raises the question... should android have a tighter quality control over apps? Im not saying to make android "closed" but anyone that wants to submit an App on the play store needs to follow guidelines so there isn't repeats of apps that makes android fragmented. I mean there's 700,000 apps on the play store right now but prlly only a few 100 are only worth using because of how polished they are.
What do you guys thing? does Google need have tighter control of the play store?
I agree with you. I think holo ui on apps is the best thing ever happened to android. Apps started to look high quality and developers did great job with holo. But there are still tons of non-holo apps that hasn't been updated since 2009/2010 and most of them not even work on new devices they just give force closes. I think Google should give those developers 2 month to update their apps with their guideline and otherwise just delete it. I started get sick of these old apps.
The other thing bothering me is the themes. Go themes, adw themes, launcher pro themes, they are everywhere. I hate to see all those themes when I simply search "launcher" on play store. Most of them are not even compatible with the latest versions of their launcher. I hope Google will do something about it.
Google started letting Android turn into new Windows. Every manufacturer can put bloatware in it. Millions of useless programs in the Internet. Most of them aren't updated since XP. Most of the people choose Linux or Mac(I still like windows more than mac ) over windows just because of the bloatware. Think about the toolbars of ie . Google should manage apps better in play store. Otherwise Android will start killing itself.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium HD app
No, Android is an open platform and things like this may discourage developers. Google will feature apps that are designed well, but banning apps because they are deemed outdated looking or not useful is not what I want to see.
I do agree there is a lot of junk in Google Play but there is also the same junk in the iTunes app store. I would like to see Google allow more advanced searching in Google Play, they are Google afterall. Google Play's search should add sort by date app updated, filter by compatible Android version, and I'm sure there are more. That way you could find newer and better apps in your search.
spunker88 said:
No, Android is an open platform and things like this may discourage developers. Google will feature apps that are designed well, but banning apps because they are deemed outdated looking or not useful is not what I want to see.
I do agree there is a lot of junk in Google Play but there is also the same junk in the iTunes app store. I would like to see Google allow more advanced searching in Google Play, they are Google afterall. Google Play's search should add sort by date app updated, filter by compatible Android version, and I'm sure there are more. That way you could find newer and better apps in your search.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so your saying that google should just let those junk apps stay in the play store. sure ios has junk apps but it isnt as bad as android.
yea discourage the developers that makes junk apps. thats the point. if a developer is constantly putting out updates then it shouldn't worry about having its apps being deleted. im just saying that google needs remove crappy apps from the play store. it just makes google play look lazy
leventccc said:
I agree with you. I think holo ui on apps is the best thing ever happened to android. Apps started to look high quality and developers did great job with holo. But there are still tons of non-holo apps that hasn't been updated since 2009/2010 and most of them not even work on new devices they just give force closes. I think Google should give those developers 2 month to update their apps with their guideline and otherwise just delete it. I started get sick of these old apps.
The other thing bothering me is the themes. Go themes, adw themes, launcher pro themes, they are everywhere. I hate to see all those themes when I simply search "launcher" on play store. Most of them are not even compatible with the latest versions of their launcher. I hope Google will do something about it.
Google started letting Android turn into new Windows. Every manufacturer can put bloatware in it. Millions of useless programs in the Internet. Most of them aren't updated since XP. Most of the people choose Linux or Mac(I still like windows more than mac ) over windows just because of the bloatware. Think about the toolbars of ie . Google should manage apps better in play store. Otherwise Android will start killing itself.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your right about some of the themes... some of those themes are copying other manufacturer's skins
look at beautiful widgets... they copied htc sense clocks. im suprised that htc didnt take them down.
spunker88 said:
No, Android is an open platform and things like this may discourage developers. Google will feature apps that are designed well, but banning apps because they are deemed outdated looking or not useful is not what I want to see.
I do agree there is a lot of junk in Google Play but there is also the same junk in the iTunes app store. I would like to see Google allow more advanced searching in Google Play, they are Google afterall. Google Play's search should add sort by date app updated, filter by compatible Android version, and I'm sure there are more. That way you could find newer and better apps in your search.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There isn't thousands of outdated launcher themes and not working apps in the app store. The ones at app store still work on newer iphones and don't look outdated. But the ones at play store look stretched and outdated.
i agree with you
I believe one thing that would help is better search functionality in the play store. Seams to me that a major search engine would have better search options in their store.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using xda premium
I have been trying to get Market Helper to run on a rooted Galaxy Y running JellyBlastv3. I see a lot of good contribution in various threads which I have read (but perhaps I missed something, so if this was answered sorry for the repeat!)
The app works good. My device is recognized by the Play Store as an SIII or Nexus device.
Many apps which I could not access before are accessible, like Talkatone and others. However, for some reason the Google developed apps, like Chrome, Keep, etc., none of them are compatible with the device even when it is being recognized as an SIII.
Any insights into what might be the issue, or better yet, what might solve it?
Thanks!!!!!
hi folks,I cannot be the only person on xda with this problem,which is,how to search through 4000 apps in MY APPS that I want to keep listed but would like to be able to find the one I want/need in less than a week.
any ideas/advice ?
I would prefer an app that can use different filters,like age,device etc etc.
I presume google refuse access to apps/software that would make this possible,its ridiculous that I have to install a seperate app to find the apps I have paid for,or muck about in a browser at my google account history to even do that simple task.
have looked for years and still not found a tool for searching my apps,and google do not appear to want to make it possible.
I just use the search function in Google Play Store.
EDIT-- This post is super old (but still works).
Another method (maybe better for your use case?) is the Aurora store. Please see the COMMENTS SECTION.
How To Download any app on the playstore, Without installing GMS, GAPPS, AMAZON, Or any other App Store
EVOZI:
https://apps.evozi.com/apk-downloader/
GOOGLE PLAY STORE:
Android Apps on Google Play
Enjoy millions of the latest Android apps, games, music, movies, TV, books, magazines & more. Anytime, anywhere, across your devices.
play.google.com
Simply paste the playstore link to evozi, of the app you want to download!
This is not warez, you Can Not Download Paid apps.
This site just caches and backs up all our favorite apps.
Rarely, if you're looking for something too obscure, it will not be able to locate it.
Have Fun
Google Play Store lets you download and install Android apps on an Android-powered phone or tablet or emulator if GMS Core already are installed thereon.
Sometimes evozi will say something about "you're being rate limited" and it won't work. I think this is bc they are getting too much traffic. I use Evozi in this example, as it is the cleanest (adless) experience, but do bare in mind you can always use other Mirrors~! sites like APKpure.com are mostly safe
any idea how does https://apps.evozi.com/apk-downloader/ work as am trying to automate some work and i dont want to depend on apk-downloader or any other mirror
@synackers sorry I just now had the time to research what I wanted to share. There's a "store" that has access to the playstore repositories, that is open source, and gives the user the freedom to choose to enable google features or not. This works on windows phones too and I would guess WSA too?
It is called the "aurora store" it's website is here:
auroraoss.com
This is still new to me so I can not explain it personally but the knowledge is available
This article explains a little about it and shows pictures
Maybe they have a github repo somewhere you can obtain the code you need to dl things
Hope it helps!
Hi Jeneh , to be honest am not interested in any open source apk mirroring available in internet
am seeking to understand how auroraoss or evozi actually works behind the screen ... how do they give you apk to be downloadable is also fetched from other mirror or do they have google developer and google offer any api to play store ..etc
more deep technical details is of my interest . i do appreciate your feedback
@synackers The Aurora Store is different from evozi or other sites like evozi, in that it actually accesses the repositories, ie the link to the android app in question.
For instance: to download the app "Termux" a call is made to get the app from com.termux and it goes on to install and build from there, the latest software.
When using evozi or apk mirror, they save actual hard copies of the apps to their servers to share to users, which could be any older version of the app.
Evozi regularly redownloads the more popular apps from the play store and they take requests. However there is No version choice available. The downloaded apks hash signatures will match the playstore app sigs for that app version.
Sites like apk mirror and others tend to keep all the older app versions and provide a choice which version to download. This is my only use case for these as they are more risky and you should vet the sigs on them.
Here is aurora's gitlab https://gitlab.com/AuroraOSS/AuroraStore
This link has all the code to be able to go through and find exactly what you need.
Some info on the code
"Aurora Store was originally based on Sergei Yeriomin's Yalp store. Aurora Store v4.0 is a rewrite of version 3 in Kotlin"
The developer of the store has made a page here on xda that maybe they would be willing to give better insight to a specific question you have in the installation process to provide the technicals.
Outside of Aurora, it may be beneficial to learn about PackageInstaller to be able to manually install and or uninstall apps with code. Or Package Manager, if you open that spoiler and select the "PM" option you can see all the code for using it.
Hi Jenneh ,
much appreciate your response and cooperation |
https://www.codevoila.com/post/77/how-to-install-or-uninstall-an-android-apk-file-programmatically this is definitely valuable and its crystal clear for me on how aurora works.. i had a glance at the code in github .
now my challenge or use case which i want to achieve is as following ;
1. need to take APK directly from play store ( i dont mind if google offer paid API which am not aware or seen )
this should be automated off android physical phone / or emulator
working in other project ^^ and stuck in this point
what i have noticed indeed evozi take package from playstore cause i checked an APK which recently was published and not available in any other mirror site
Aruroa still need mobile phone or emulator to work
Thanks again and appreciate your cooperation
With regards to thread's title "Download Any Apk Off The Playstore Without installing Google, AMAZON, or Any other APP Store" take note that you of course need an app store to get APKs from.
Never make use of Aptoide: it's Large, Decentralized, Dangerous.
Aptoide is one of the most sophisticated app sources. The store works with a distributed network of different store providers and combines them on a unified platform. However, this poses significant security risks.
Truely not what am seeking , any mirror is not an enterprise grade options cause security risk is high so if there is any way to download directly apk from play store without the need for emulator or device would be much appreciated
The app store with least security risks is Google Play Store.
Apps from outside of the Google Play Store are also scan using Google Play protect on the device, it is a security risk to install apps outside of the Play Store but as long as you trust the app developer you should be fine.
well, what is the case if i need to automate a way for MDM solutions
IDK.
Probably MDM isn't not applicable if the managed devices differ in Android version and ARM architecture.