Sideloading, what's the deal? (and what are your favorite sideloaded apps?)

[okisurrender]

Hey guys.

 

I just switched from a jailbroken iPhone 5 to a Galaxy S4 and I'm curious about sideloading (and possibly rooting). I know what sideloading is basically, but I'm unsure if my phone needs to be rooted first. I did a bit of searching and reading and had come to the conclusion that I did not need to be rooted, but then I found a thread on here about how sideloading adblocking apps required being rooted. So I'm just a little confused about it.

 

Also what are your favorite sideloaded apps that you use? And if its okay for me to ask- where is a good, trustworthy place to get them? I'm not trying to screw my new phone up with malware.

 

Thanks!

[LUTZIFER]

Your phone doesn't need to be rooted to sideload apps, but I would think this topic would be considered WAREZ if it's mentioned.

[LittleNeutrino Veteran]

While not technically about Warez it is a very touchy subject. There are actually a lot of rather nice apps for Android that for one reason or another are not available via the store however the APK files are provided by the developer to be side loaded. We will keep an eye on the thread and hope it doesn't cross any lines.

[Tha Bloo Monkee]

Your phone doesn't need to be rooted to sideload apps, but I would think this topic would be considered WAREZ if it's mentioned.

LOL what?

Just because it can be used for warez, does not mean it is a warez subject.  If that was the case, then every torrent thread should be banned.

 

About rooting, if you're a "power user", you want to be rooted.  If not, it won't matter to you.  If you're used to having a jailbroken iPhone, you will most likely want root.  Long story short.

[LUTZIFER]

I'm not complaining. I sideload everything, I'm basically mentioning it cuz I get banned all the time for mentioning stuff similar.

[Dinggus]

I don't believe I've ever sideloaded anything, so I'll be keeping an eye out on this thread to see whats out there.

[okisurrender]

I know that sideloading can be used for piracy and that's why I was hesitant if I could ask where to get good apps at.

 

Don't want any trouble!  :D

[i_was_here]

Times you may need to sideload apps include:

1. An app may be compatible with your device but the Google Play Store does not mark them as compatible. For me this would include VLC player and Naked Browser.

2. A developer may not immediately release their apps on the Play Store (somewhat common on XDA forums) or they may offer a trial version of their app on their website (for example: Tasker).

3. Also on the XDA forum some developers may offer a special XDA edition of their app (for example: BetterBatteryStats).

Rather than ask for good apps to sideload, you should look at what kind of apps you want and try to find something that is in the Play Store. Also there are other markets you can consider like the Amazon Appstore or F-Droid.

[techbeck]

Sideloading can come in handy.  Had a user message me when the XBOX ONE app was updated to post the apk since it wasnt available to him yet.