Safe place to get apps not in play store ? - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4

I know there are apps out there for rooted phones that help you do thinks like turn on tethering, block ads etc.... I'm tring to figure out a safe place to get these apps. I'm not looking for pirated apps, I'm looking for legitimate apps that are not listed in the play store. I hear so much about people trying to download these apps from the internet and end up with virus's. I dont want to go down that road so I wanted to ask you folks where you prefer to get them ?

here at XDA

From the developer, or from where the dev trusts to distribute it.
Not a lot of software getting pulled from the store. Teathering programs and stuff you can get there....
The only thing you should need outside of the store is random scrips or modded programs where you should look for a dev thread/website which will have most recent version hosted.

Yeah there's very little I can think of that I can't get on the play store besides themed apps ands xposed mods.
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Can you guys point me to an ad blocker ?
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loco63 said:
Can you guys point me to an ad blocker ?
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe give F-Droid a try. It's basically a catalog of apps that the Play Store no longer carries. Ad-Away is part of the catalog.

Moved to Q&A, please post all questions in here from now on.
Thank you for your cooperation:good::highfive:

Related

[Q] Question About Amazon Apps

I have read all the Amazon App threads I could find and I noticed someone posted that there was a thread that explained a way to install the amazon apps once you downloaded them without the need to have the app store installed. I cannot find that thread.
Is there a way that if I want to delete the amazon app store and then install or reinstall the apps I got from them(free or paid) without needing the app store app installed or can you point me to the thread please.
Also is there a way for the regular market to recognize them so I can get any updates in the future?
Thank you
I second this question... I'd love to know the answer
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I think you just need to keep the appstore installed. No big deal.
Technically you can delete the appstore and keep the apps installed...but they won't run, so not too useful. I haven't noticed any problems with having it installed though, may I ask what the point is?
johnchad14 said:
Technically you can delete the appstore and keep the apps installed...but they won't run, so not too useful. I haven't noticed any problems with having it installed though, may I ask what the point is?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was just messing around with the phone and going thru my I dont need this and dont need that and decided I didnt want to have the amazon app & the amazon app store app anymore and unistalled them. Then about a day later, went to play one of the apps I did get from there and it didn't run.
Was just curious. Still in my eris frame of mind when I used to go thru my apps and take out ones not really used so I could save space.
Im getting help now in dealing with getting rid of the Eris low memory complex...
Thanks all
This situation may be related.
I had moved Amazon apps to SD card (at least I think it was one of the apps I moved :/ ). Regardless, I tried to use an app from Amazon; I could not use it until I had signed on at Amazon's site.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
Same here. I cannot run any Amazon app if the Amazon Appstore is uninstalled. Also, I cannot update any Amazon app through AppBrain or the Market because it appears the packages are signed differently. Need to update the Amazon apps through Amazon Appstore.
Well I guess this is the caveat of getting the free apps... I wonder if this also applies to apps you've actually spent money on through amazon app store...
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m00nshake said:
Well I guess this is the caveat of getting the free apps... I wonder if this also applies to apps you've actually spent money on through amazon app store...
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most likely. The only way to get updates for your Amazon apps is to go through the Amazon Appstore, whether they are paid or free.
I would have to agree; free or paid, you likely have to be signed in. Tis a pain to be electronic slaves to sites, ain't it?
Yes, you need to have Amazon App Store (AAS) installed and signed in, in order to update paid apps. I confirmed this last night when trying to use Titanium Backup which I purchased through AAS.
I can't really see a reason not to have it installed though, literally, the first thing I do when I wake up in the morning after turning my alarm clock off is checking to see what app they have available...

[Q] Updating apps from sd card

Is there a way of updating apps i have downloaded onto my sd card ? I have a few installed but cant update them because i did'nt get them from the apps market place
Thanks
SD card has nothing to do with it, they're simply not linked with the market entry. Titanium Backup has an option to fix it called "Market Doctor".
Does this work with any downloaded app and on any phone ?
I have a HTC HD2 windows phone but has been altered to run on android
Thanks
Well, any rooted phone... I've got no idea what it'll do if the device isn't. It has worked with any application I've restored so far, meaning applications that were either free or that I bought.
I've got no idea what it'll do if the app is not in your account... which wouldn't be a good idea to begin with.
Tried the titanium backup ,still cant update apps from sd card ?
Did you do long-press on app, Attach to market (forced) in Titanium?
Done that but it's asking me to pay for the update
That has to be a different issue... if it's in your account, the Market replaces all "Buy" buttons with ones saying "Purchased", no matter whether you actually have it installed. Is it listed under "My Apps" this way?
Where did you get the apps from in the first place?
If you got them from another app store ie. Getjar, Amazon etc. you can only update through that store, even though it may be available on the Android Market.
EDIT: Unless, of course, they're free. Then you can just download the app you want updating from the Market, which will then notify you of future updates.
I downloaded it from a file share torrent. The app itself costs money so was looking to try and upgrade for free .There have been quite a few updates from the one i have downloaded so all the functions wont work , i have the basic things working but not all
In that case let me congratulate you on obtaining a free virus. Hopefully Google is as good at reading logs as they are at reading webpages.
jasext said:
I downloaded it from a file share torrent. The app itself costs money so was looking to try and upgrade for free .There have been quite a few updates from the one i have downloaded so all the functions wont work , i have the basic things working but not all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quoting complete failure right here. *facepalm.jpg*
You're admitting to obtaining warez on a developer forum.
Sent from my GT-S5830 using XDA App
You know that what you're doing is illegal, right?
How can you expect updates for a paid app if you don't pay for it. People have to download it legally, crack it, and upload it to fileshare sites for every single update, so the update process isn't going to be fast.
I suggest you stop stealing and pay for the apps you want.
The actual app i downloded is free ,i am new to all this and only found out after downloading it ,dont think downloading free apps from a share site is illegal
Have a look at an app called Atrackdog. There are 2 versions one of which is to update apps on the SD card. The apps don't have to be from the market as far as I am aware.
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[Workaround] Show only purchased apps in Google Play Store

CosmicDan said:
The only easy(ish) way without downgrading Google Play back to Market is to log in to https://wallet.google.com and check your Transaction History. Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
uppon2 said:
Here is the file. Be sure to click on old market when you have it open, if you don't like it click on new market. Pretty straight forward. HOWEVER. It installed perfect for me but when I tried to get my apps up it would always time out. I think it is only because of my network though. So perhaps others should try it anyways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The above posts both provide a workaround/partial solution. Here is my suggestion...
If you choose to try Old Market, when you launch it you can choose "old" or "new" market. It requires root permissions to work. After selecting which Market you would like, it will reboot the device and, once it is booted, the market you chose will be installed. Take note that I did in fact still see some free apps that weren't installed, but not all of them. Perhaps they were only the apps that were downloaded to this specific device/ROM.
That said, the "old" Market is indeed the very old V2 Market. I went back to "new" Market (V3), and it upgraded itself back to Google Play after a little while.
Unless you truly like the old interface of the Market, I'd recommend you go with CosmicDan's suggestion of logging in to Google Wallet and viewing your transaction history. This will give you a list of only the apps you have purchased. Unfortunately you can not install them to your device from there, but at least you can see only the apps you have purchased without seeing every app you have ever downloaded.
--- Original Post ---
Is there a way to view only one's purchased apps in the new Play Store? The new interface for the My Apps section does not seem to have a way to do this like it used to, instead showing seemingly every app one has ever downloaded, with purchased apps mixed in (in no logical order).
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mcimo88 said:
Is there a way to view only one's purchased apps in the new Play Store? The new interface for the My Apps section does not seem to have a way to do this like it used to, instead showing seemingly every app one has ever downloaded, with purchased apps mixed in (in no logical order).
Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Big time bump on this! They really do need to add a tab that shows purchased not just installed and history.
Just ran across this. Hope there is a fix in the works. Not being able to sort the apps is a major FAIL.
I let my son have my old droid and he went crazy downloading what looks like every free app offered....my mistake for not creating a junk gmail account. Now I have literally hundreds and hundreds of apps listed in my app section of the play store.
Bump, I would like to know also
It appears that even the app management section of the Google Play website doesn't have this capability. On the positive side, the site looks great! -_-
This is just wrong, when you've bought allot of apps and downloaded plenty of free apps.
There's got to be an easier way to see what you've bought and redownload!
Someone got a clue?
VSwensson said:
This is just wrong, when you've bought allot of apps and downloaded plenty of free apps.
There's got to be an easier way to see what you've bought and redownload!
Someone got a clue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
The only easy(ish) way without downgrading Google Play back to Market is to log in to https://wallet.google.com and check your Transaction History. Hope this helps
This is such a fkn annoying issue. BUMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The other thing is there should be a tab to multi select app installs so you aren't directed to the install screen and forced to start from the beginning of the main screen after you go back. If that is not an option at least add the ability to install "ALL" paid apps.
Why in the hell would we not get the option to see purchased apps only but we get the option to see "ALL" downloaded apps paid or unpaid. That's just fkn ridiculous
P.S. To anyone that is going to tell me to roll back or move previous apk versions to system/app or even use an app to do it for you and blah blah blah. I have tried everything.
The closest I got was using the apk I will attach for everyone here. Be sure to unzip it and move the file to your phone and use a file explorer to install it.
Here is the file. Be sure to click on old market when you have it open, if you don't like it click on new market. Pretty straight forward. HOWEVER. It installed perfect for me but when I tried to get my apps up it would always time out. I think it is only because of my network though. So perhaps others should try it anyways.
uppon2 said:
Here is the file. Be sure to click on old market when you have it open, if you don't like it click on new market. Pretty straight forward. HOWEVER. It installed perfect for me but when I tried to get my apps up it would always time out. I think it is only because of my network though. So perhaps others should try it anyways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so I should be able to choose which market I want to use on the fly when I install this apk?
This has got to be one of google's biggest recent FAILS.
It's been like this for over a month now, and what seems like a very simple and basic fix hasn't even arrived yet. Do you all think they are even aware of this being an issue for us?
My suggestion...
starplaya93 said:
so I should be able to choose which market I want to use on the fly when I install this apk?
This has got to be one of google's biggest recent FAILS.
It's been like this for over a month now, and what seems like a very simple and basic fix hasn't even arrived yet. Do you all think they are even aware of this being an issue for us?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please see the updated OP for my suggestion, as well as the answer to your question.
Think this will ever be resolved? this is beyond annoying. Do you think Google is even listening? Lol
crking1980 said:
Think this will ever be resolved? this is beyond annoying. Do you think Google is even listening? Lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not likely any time soon in my opinion. I'm quite positive that they knowingly made the decision to change (read remove) the list of only paid apps in the Play Store, in an effort to "improve" the app. Unfortunately.
.— Powered by Nexus —.
Another Google Fail just like the crappy resolution contact pictures that they refuse to fix. Thanks google for making have to make duplicate phone contacts and link everything. Also thank you for getting rid of showing only the paid apps.
Google has always been a piece of.. garbage, but as of late, they have just been, a piece of... junk..
Well, I do not think Google forgot to have that view. From their point of view it absolutely makes sense:
If you forget about an app you bought some day, you might end up buying another one, providing the same functionality later. And that is where they get money from, not you re-installing an already bought app.
It does not go too well with the "don't be evil" motto, but this was clearly a deliberate choice by Google.
There's still the Legacy Play Store from some MoDaCo user: http://www.modaco.com/topic/356009-r2-legacy-play-store-with-all-purchased-apps-visible/ .
mbirth said:
There's still the Legacy Play Store from some MoDaCo user: http://www.modaco.com/topic/356009-r2-legacy-play-store-with-all-purchased-apps-visible/ .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was aware of that, but it does not launch. Instead it immediately upgrades to Play Store as well.
phees said:
I was aware of that, but it does not launch. Instead it immediately upgrades to Play Store as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The r2 works fine for me. I've put it to /system/app … I had to delete the app data to make it run again after a reboot, though.

Google play movies and books

Has anyone who has un-installed Google play movies and books run into any issues? For some reason TiBu will not permanently freeze these apps.
After each reboot I get the update notice from play store for them. They unfreeze after each reboot.
I'm stock but rooted
Any one? Googled but no results.
Edit: I searched again and used keyword disable instead of freeze.....
Holy crap it's on all devices running ics.
Effin bullcrap! Weird Google pluss disables no problems.
I swear Google and carriers should nit be allowed to force you to retain or use any apps. One of these days someone needs to make a bill of rights for phone users, and get it passed in congress.
Is it possible the Reason for this is so they can put Trojans and or spyware in these apps?
I don't get it.
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Watch out!

Google has very silently pushed a new app to all android devices. Its called Google settings. Now I love android but this shouldnt be allowed it does not seem to do harm but lets let the devs see
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
They didn't do a good job with it since it's obviously in the app drawer for all to see
The advice is free....the bandwidth, not so much
You can disable it by unchecking all of the read write execute in es file explorer. Or if you find an older version of the android market that is compatible with our phones. And the worse thing is it's not in the market at all it's just there.
I Personally think forcing a phone to silently install an app is wrong. Had it been a usual update that would have been smarter.
It lets you control all the google settings from one place. I for one think that's smart. Who cares if it's in your app drawer, hide it if you don't like it.
What version Google Play adds this? I haven't received it yet. I'm 100% stock and unrooted. My issue now is all of a sudden I am receiving double notifications from all my apps except gmail.
Edit. Never mind I have the app now just checked. Now if the double notifications would stop.
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This might explain it a little better
http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/0...tings-icon-its-just-google-play-services-3-0/
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
The app doesn't do anything else other existing apps were not already doing. It simply aggregates all the Google settings into one cohesive place (although I feel that the 'account sync' area is better suited for this). It doesn't require any special permissions that are not already used by other Google apps.
If you do not want it either hide it like others have said or simply unlink your Google account from the device seeing that the only thing the app does is put the settings in one place and creates a platform to be able to give you MORE control over what other apps can access as far as Play Services functionality is concerned. This app is very welcomed.
Also if you are against them updating stuff without your consent, root and remove the play store -- that updates automatically as well. You're using a device that uses Google Apps as it's back end, this is expected.
Read the link ronnie posted to alleviate your concern.
Yeah but it shows how much proprietary we really don't have anymore..
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So when your Google Play app updates on it's own, that's wrong too? If it's a problem, go buy a Crapple.
Racer Of All said:
The app doesn't do anything else other existing apps were not already doing. It simply aggregates all the Google settings into one cohesive place (although I feel that the 'account sync' area is better suited for this). It doesn't require any special permissions that are not already used by other Google apps.
If you do not want it either hide it like others have said or simply unlink your Google account from the device seeing that the only thing the app does is put the settings in one place and creates a platform to be able to give you MORE control over what other apps can access as far as Play Services functionality is concerned. This app is very welcomed.
Also if you are against them updating stuff without your consent, root and remove the play store -- that updates automatically as well. You're using a device that uses Google Apps as it's back end, this is expected.
Read the link ronnie posted to alleviate your concern.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See the play store is fine. when that updates, i get a notification of new terms and conditions, as well as it only happens with new OS releases or when i open the actual app. not radomly while im on the john or asleep.
Wasn't really a secret, they have been promoting for awhile now and there have been a few articles pre and post. It just compiles settings for their apps.
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It's a shame how many people are hating on this thread instead of seeing it for what it is. Anyways i made an app that fixes this issue in the app section and in the general I put the old og market that won't update by it's own.
Asadullah said:
It's a shame how many people are hating on this thread instead of seeing it for what it is. Anyways i made an app that fixes this issue in the app section and in the general I put the old og market that won't update by it's own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a shame how few people actually freaked out about it as opposed to the many people that really don't care.
leo72793 said:
See the play store is fine. when that updates, i get a notification of new terms and conditions, as well as it only happens with new OS releases or when i open the actual app. not radomly while im on the john or asleep.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you actually read the terms you agree to every update? Because section 3 - Updates of the Play Store ToC state:
You may need to install updates to Google Play or related Google software that we introduce from time to time to use Google Play and to access or download Products. Products originating from Google may communicate with Google servers from time to time to check for available updates to the Products and to the functionality of Google Play, such as bug fixes, patches, enhanced functions, missing plug-ins and new versions (collectively, "Updates"). By using the Google Play store and installing these Products, you agree to such automatically requested and received Updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Emphasis mine. Also, ignoring all that, what difference does it make if it asks you to agree? Your point was that you didn't want apps to update themselves. The play store does that, ergo it was a valid comparison.
As a matter of fact I would be more paranoid about the play store because those updates usually have new functionality. All this does is literally link you to setting screens that were already on your device and adds an area to give YOU more control cover what third party apps can access.
Looking at the dissection of the app on the link provided shows exactly what the app does. Which, by the way, the Play Services has been doing this ever since the play store launched with Android 2.2 and above (Source - Automatic Updates).
So my original advice stands, if you do not want this to continue, delete the Play Store.
TL;DR:
Play store agreement allows and makes it clear that automatic updates will happen.
App doesn't add new permissions, it links to existing menus.
This has been happening since Android 2.2 and it's nothing new.
Only way to stop it is to delete the Play Store.
eXplicit815 said:
So when your Google Play app updates on it's own, that's wrong too? If it's a problem, go buy a Crapple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you are correct that updates from a already installed app that you chose.. I don't like the fact I didn't have the choice to choose that this got installed without me knowing . You don't know Wtf this app is ..
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thlinx said:
Yes you are correct that updates from a already installed app that you chose.. I don't like the fact I didn't have the choice to choose that this got installed without me knowing . You don't know Wtf this app is ..
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you didn't really choose Google Play. It's preinstalled on your phone when you buy it. The fact that the "Settings" app was pushed to the phone automatically, and is only used to change settings for Google Apps, there's really not an alarm for concern. You actually agreed to it when you bought the phone and accepted the terms when setting it up.
Glad to see this thread. I was visiting someone yesterday and messing with their gnex (I maintain it for her, in a sense) and saw this green Google settings and started freaking out cuz it was unknown where it came from, and I could not find it in either /data/app or /system/app and therefore could not remove. Also, about the same time, the email app would no longer login or sync, saying invalid password. I though it possibly related, thought Google setting was something malicious. Now I know it's legit :good:
Thanks
From my Evo LTE, yup.
eXplicit815 said:
Well, you didn't really choose Google Play. It's preinstalled on your phone when you buy it. The fact that the "Settings" app was pushed to the phone automatically, and is only used to change settings for Google Apps, there's really not an alarm for concern. You actually agreed to it when you bought the phone and accepted the terms when setting it up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EXACTLY! Thank you!!
Sent from my White Evo LTE running MeanBean, using XDA Premium
eXplicit815 said:
Well, you didn't really choose Google Play. It's preinstalled on your phone when you buy it. The fact that the "Settings" app was pushed to the phone automatically, and is only used to change settings for Google Apps, there's really not an alarm for concern. You actually agreed to it when you bought the phone and accepted the terms when setting it up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agreed to apps being installed on my phone without my knowledge???? I
Don't think so.. preapps already installed or the crap bloatware that's comes with the phone I remove is something I'm fully aware of, but if you think its fine by all means join the anti privacy bandwagon..
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---------- Post added at 12:07 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:03 AM ----------
It shows how our phones are being controlled by Google puppeteers in an open source market
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