Comment on How is TikTok being blocked in the US?

• Steve@communick.news ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  On Android you can download apps (.APK files) from the web, and install them without any app store.

  source

  • SomeAmateur@sh.itjust.works ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    Oh gotcha I’ve done that before just didn’t know the term. Thanks!

    source
• scala@lemmy.ml ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  Downloading the APK.

  source
• jagged_circle@feddit.nl ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  Its a silly term to say installing from any app store that Google doesn’t control

  source

  • Steve@communick.news ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    Not quite. You don’t need any app store at all.
    You literally download an APK file from a website or anywhere, then install it directly. Could even be a friend with a thumb drive. Doesn’t matter how you get it, it’s just a file.

    source

    • jagged_circle@feddit.nl ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      Yeah. Dont do that. Its how you install viruses.

      Install through another app store like fdroid. Its the secure way to get APKs

      source

      • Steve@communick.news ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

        That’s got nothing to do with what side loading means.

        source