How to install Apps from unknown sources on Android phones?

Google Play Store is the primary and authorized market we can download or purchase apps and games on our Android mobile phones. It is however not the only one. There are several trustworthy websites and app stores where you can find Android apps and games outside of the Google Play Store, such as Amazon Appstore, APKMirror, etc.

By default Google has disabled installing apps from unknown sources on Android phones. Google lets you just install apps from Google Play store. When you download Android apps from other Android market or websites and trying to install the apps on your Android phone, such as Samsung, LG, Motorola, Lenovo, Huawei, Xiaomi, Sony, Google Nexus and many more, you will have to change the Android settings to allow apps from unknown sources to be installed on your mobile phone first. Google is doing so because allowing the installation of apps from unknown sources can expose your device to potentially harmful and malicious apps. So Android restricts the installation of apps from third-party or unknown sources primarily for security and user safety reasons.

If you get an error message like below it means you have not allowed installation of apps from third-party resources on Android phone.

For your security, your phone is not allowed to install unknown apps from this source.
not allowed to install unknown apps from this source on android mobile phone

On some old Android phones, you may encounter an error as follows,

Install blocked
For security, your phone is set to block installation of applications not obtained from Android Market.

How to install Apps from unknown sources on Android phones?

Fortunately Google allows Android users to download and install apps from unknown sources or websites if they choose to do so, but it involves a deliberate action to enable “Unknown Sources” in the device’s settings. To do that, simply follow the instruction below. Before that however, it’s essential to exercise caution and only download apps from reputable sources. Check for user reviews and ratings before downloading an app or game. Always keep your Android device’s security settings up to date.

Enable permission for specific app to install unknown apps

Run the app, could it be your web browser, file manager or other apps on the phone. Find and tap to install the APK file. Then choose open it with Package Installer. Your phone will block the installation and throws the error as shown in the first screenshot above. It tells you that for the security purpose, Android blocked the installation because it was an unknown app or apps from unknown source. And you have the options to cancel the installation or head to the Settings to change the option and continue the installation. Tap on Settings button, you will be taken to the Install unknown apps screen. You just need to touch the Allow from this source toggle to grant the current app this special permission to install unknown apps on your Android phone.

Enable permission for specific app to install unknown apps on Android phone

Install apps from unknown source on Samsung phone

Your Galaxy phone or tablet is configured by default to prevent the installation of apps from sources other than the Play Store and Galaxy Store.

To allow app installs from untrusted sources, open the Settings. There will be a search box at the top of the Settings menu. Search for and select Install unknown apps. Then tap Install unknown apps again to display a list of installed apps on your phone. Here you can tap the source that you want to allow app installations from. Then tap the switch next to “Allow from this source” to give permission to the selected app.

Install apps from unknown sources in Android 13 and 14

Go to Settings > Apps, then choose Special app access > Install unknown apps.

android phone settings - special app access - install unknown apps

Tap on the app you will use to install the third-party apps and enable the toggle next to “Allow from this source.”

Install apps from unknown sources in Android 10, 11, and 12

Go to Settings > Apps & notifications, then choose Special app access > Install unknown apps.

Tap on the app you will use to install the third-party apps and enable the toggle next to “Allow from this source.”

Install unknown apps from unknown sources in Android 8 and 9.

Since Android 8.0, the method to install apps from unknown sources has changed. The newer installation method requires you to give permission to specific apps that are allowed to install APKs from unknown sources. That’s to say, it becomes app-specific other than global settings.

Go to Settings -> Apps & notifications -> Advanced -> Special app access -> Install unknown apps. Select the app that you want to install from unknown sources. Tap “Allow from this source” to enable unknown sources for that specific app.

Install unknown apps in Android 7 and older

Note that steps may differ depending on your device and software version. In this demo, we are using a Samsung Galaxy phone to show you how to change Android setting to allow installation of third party apps. If you are using other Android phones, such as LG, Motorola, Sony, Lenovo, Nexus, Xiaomi, Huawei, you may find they differ in appearances. If you are on an old Samsung Galaxy phones running Android 7 or a previous version, launch Settings app on your Samsung phone. Go to Security.

android mobile security settings

Android system recommend you to download apps from Google Play (Android Market) so you can avoid potential risks of malware, spyware or viruses infected apps. Thus the installation of Android apps from unknown sources option is grouped into the Security settings on the phone.

Check “Unknown Sources” to allow app installation from sources other than Google Play or Android Market.

allow installation of android apps from unknown sources

Now you can go to download Android apps from other trusted app downloading websites or platforms and install them on your Android phone. You should have enough permission to install most Android apps in APK file formats now.

24 thoughts on “How to install Apps from unknown sources on Android phones?”

  1. In my Samsung z2 there has no option of Unknown Source in setting or in U C Browser setting please tell me what I will do

  2. My phone is not allow to install apps from other mobiles …
    It showing installation blocked from unknown sourse …
    Plz help me how to allow to install apps

    1. what’s your phone model please? generally speaking, you should be able to change the phone settings to allow app installations from third party sources as shown in above post.

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