this post was submitted on 19 Dec 2023
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Just try getting a popular app anywhere else. There are options of course, but they require a working knowledge of APKs and other technical concepts which many casual users may not be familiar with. Even once you get them installed, these apps often don't work without play services, and -- depending on the source -- can be less secure.
Uhm. This is not true. They don't require working knowledge of apks and Android walks you through the process of installing via Unknown Sources.
Try installing packages from outside iOS..
I don't use iOS and have only been able to install many popular apps through APKs sourced from other sites like github and apkpure.
Ill admit I don't know much about side loading but I think that only supports my original point that the average user isnt aware of less intuitive alternatives to the play store.
Let me introduce you to !fdroid@lemmy.ml
Also Amazon has an app store for android as well.
I'm vaguely familiar with fdroid, but thanks for linking. My understanding is that fdroid doesnt support automatic updates, though I might be wrong. I use obtainium instead.
Amazon store is indeed another option. Personally my issue with the Google play store is the sketchiness of the company though, so Amazon isn't a good alternative for people like myself.
F-Droid searches for updated app versions automatically, downloads them when you're connected to WiFi, and notifies you.
You then have to install them one by one manually, which is a bit annoying, yes.
There's other frontends for fdroid available like neostore that handle it automatically
I'm sure this isn't the right place to ask this, but does anyone have a website they use for apks that is pretty solid?
I'm trying to de-google my life and the play store is the last holdover for me. I already use F-droid but that is more for open source software.
apologies if this was the wrong place to ask.
The one I use is called Aurora Store.
That just connects back to Play Store. It's essentially just a front-end for it.
F-droid is actually unconnected to Google. They both have their place, but it's best to clarify that.
It shows what I know!
thank you! I will check it out.
https://f-droid.org/en/
F-droid is awesome, but I don't think it will ever be mass market
My phone can install APKs out of the box. XAPKs need a separate installer though, but that is a one time problem. Many APKs even get recognised by the playstore which made it easier to update it.
My device either isn't verified or in some way geolocked for some apps so I had to get APKs of them to use those apps and I never had a problem with that.
hello sundar had no idea you were on lemmy
???
Are you trying to imply my comment is somehow pro-google?
don't you have some shareholder knob to polish? see ya later sundar!
Okay weirdo, whatever you say