5 reasons not to download Android apps on alternative sites

Downloading apps for Android is extremely easy to do, especially since there are so many different ways and websites from which they can be purchased. Google currently has the Play Store as the official app and game store for its operating system, where developers can sell or make their projects available for free. Still, many people end up preferring to download apps from other sources, but this can put their device at risk. For some of the biggest reasons not to download these apps from alternative sites, just check out our list below!

1. No guarantee of safety

The Google Play Store is now much safer than in the past, ensuring that anyone posting malicious apps will be discovered in no time, so your app will be removed immediately from the store. Of course, this cannot be guaranteed on other sites with downloadable apps and games.

Often, you can't even tell if what you're going to download is an application file or a virus straight to your PC. There are alternative stores and websites that are more reliable, but you can't be sure that everything will work out.

The problem with this risk is that some of these apps may even look legitimate, but in fact they are hiding malicious processes that may for example steal your passwords, view what you are doing on your smartphone, and other privacy abuses that may end up in terrible trouble. So avoid as much unless you have complete confidence in the page you are downloading.

2. App can be fake

In general, apps downloaded from alternate websites come in “apk” format and need to be manually installed on your smartphone. Since you can't really figure out what kind of thing comes in this file until it's placed on your device, it's pretty easy to fake it.

This can be a completely different app, a modified version, or something used to spy on your mobile activity, as we mentioned earlier. Also, always be aware of files that do not come in the "apk" format.

A good way to identify if the app really is what it promises is to check the opinions of other users. If the app upload has no comments, be suspicious immediately!

3. App can infect your smartphone

As we mentioned in the previous topic, there is no way to know what comes in the files you download from alternative sites. On installation everything may work out and the app may look normal during use, but that does not guarantee that there is no virus or malware ready to infect your smartphone.

What's worse is that most of the time, this isn't even something the user will notice until it's too late. In general, these viruses are used to acquire passwords, images, and other data about the smartphone owner.

4. Apps can root

In addition to infecting your smartphone with viruses, modified applications can even root your device without your knowledge. If this happens, the device ends up being totally vulnerable and any information can be obtained easily.

It also makes it easy for someone to simply damage your device remotely and without your noticing.

5. Harms developers

In addition to all the damage done to your smartphone, downloading apps and games from external sources also harms the people who worked on these projects. Many apps are modified simply to change the types of ads that appear during use, so developers get nothing from the advertising officially placed on the software.

The low rate of downloads can also hurt them, especially to get investment in future projects. This does not directly affect users, but is something that should also be considered for good quality applications.

Remember that as much as in-app advertisements and ads are boring, they are usually the price you pay for free access to app features.

In addition, mobile application development involves the dedication of a professional team. Seeking alternatives to denying monetization of apps can often result in this app being discontinued as it is not minimally profitable or sustainable. Therefore, avoid downloading Android apps to alternative sites as much as possible.

What did you think of the tips?

Could you take our tips on realizing that downloading apps from alternate sites might end up being a bad idea? Often the consequences of this can end up being much more expensive than buying the official app itself at the store, for example. Be sure to leave your comment telling us what you think and tell us if you ever had problems downloading apps from alternate sites.

Interesting Articles