Google and Apple are the giants of the smartphone world. But the Play Store and the App Store aren't the only ones virtual stores to download applications. The important thing is to understand how to be sure to install only safe software on your smartphone, even using it alternative app stores.
How alternative app stores work
The concept of "app store" is an idea born shortly after the arrival of the first iPhone, and generally indicates a virtual place to download software for your device. The Google Play Store is the official Android application store; App Store that of Apple. But many phone makers also include an alternative app store (even Samsung does), and some don't even use the Play Store at all. So it is wrong to think of alternative app stores as "dangerous corners" of the smartphone world. Also because not even the Play Store is risk-free.
ALSO READ: Google Play Store is not safe
How to check that an app is safe
Panda Security, which knows security, gives some common sense indications on how to check that the apps you install are safe.
- First of all, pay attention to source: if you don't know it, search online for the manufacturer, and check what other users are saying.
- Check that the app is verified (even the Alternative app stores verify applications).
- Check with yours antivirus per smartphone (they clearly recommend Panda Antivirus for Android, which is a great product).
- If the device slows down or does something strange, uninstalls the application and launch the antivirus again.
Simplifying: just a little attention, and a good antivirus.
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Alternative app portals for Android
To enable the installation of apps from unknown sources, just go to the "security" section of the Settings (depending on the version of the operating system it could be under "Apps and notifications" or "Biometric data and security") and select "Install sconosciute app". From there you can mark the alternative app store you prefer.
To choose a secure app store, we refer to the Panda Security studies, which are familiar with the topic of security on smartphones.
- Aptoide, safe and well-stocked, for both mobile and smart TV.
- Fdroid, project open-source.
- Uptodown, interface in Italian, many free apps, good security system.
- Amazon App Store, advantageous for those who use the Amazon Coins, Amazon's virtual currency.
- APKPure, reliable, has a great interface and offers rankings and user reviews.
- APKMirror, along with APKPure, APKMirror is one of the two big portals from which download APK, i.e. the files to install apps on Android.
- SlideME, which check it out all applications scrupulously.
Alternative app stores for iOS
If until recently it was necessary to jailbreak the device, which was going to change the operating system. Now they can be installed by going to Settings, General, Device Management and enabling the developer of the alternative app store. If in doubt, these Panda Security recommended sites have easy-to-follow installation guides.
- AppValley, app free, but also unofficial content and modified versions of apps and games.
- TweakBox, an app store dedicated to content not approved by Apple and optimized and modified versions of apps.
- Ipa4ios, alternative app store dedicated mainly to app ++ and optimized versions.
- Tutuapp (also available for Android), an alternative network for developers and users, which allows you to install regionally locked apps.
Tagsandroid App Store alternativi iOS Alternative app stores: can they be trusted?
