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Best APKs you won't find in the Play Store

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© nextpit

The vast majority of Android users only ever install applications from Google Play. However, the potential of Android goes way beyond the Play Store and Google services. There’s a plethora of APKs that Google doesn’t offer, and we've prepared a list of the best Android APKs and apps you can't find in the Play Store.

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Best Game outside the Play Store: Fortnite

Fortnite, the battle royale game that became a veritable cultural phenomenon in 2018, is so popular that creator Epic Games decided that they didn't need to pay Google's 30% cut for the Play Store, choosing instead to host it themselves. Fortnite is free to play and well worth a try - though you might find it quite addictive! To help you get started, we've got a great guide of useful tips and tricks.

AndroidPIT Fortnite Review 1
Fortnite is famous enough not to need Google to promote it. / © NextPit

But be warned, there are still plenty of fake, malware-laden APKs out there claiming to be Fortnite. To be safe, only use the official link from Epic Games below:

Download Fortnite

Best for gaming: Humble Bundle

The legendary Humble Bundle recently received a few updates, meaning it's no longer available in the Play Store (maybe Google now sees it as a competitor?). For the uninitiated, Humble Bundle lets you pay whatever you want to download bundles of high-end games for your Android device (and PC).

The money you pay gets divvied up between charities, the developers and the website. Using this app, you can manage your Android Humble Bundle games library easily, and receive updates on when the next Humble Bundle is available.

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Pay what you want for fantastic game bundles with Humble Bundle. / © NextPit

Download Humble Bundle

Best for streaming: VideoMix

This app is a fantastic resource for streaming your favorite TV shows and movies online. Be aware of your country's laws regarding streaming copyrighted content, though, if you don't want to land yourself in trouble. 

Once you've found the show or movie you want to watch, just tap it, pick a site to stream it from, then you'll get an option to choose which video player app you want to play it in. In addition, there's a button that integrates IMDB into the app so you can view the cast and find related torrents. 

  • The best video player apps for Android
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VideoMix lets you stream TV shows and movies, both new and old. / © NextPit

Download VideoMix

Best for YouTube ripping: Videoder

Videoder is probably the most functional YouTube ripper around. You search for the YouTube video you want, and the app displays a variety of formats you can download it in, including 1,080p and MP3 (although both of these are in beta, so may occasionally mess up). You simply set a download directory and get ripping. TubeMate is another app that has similar functionality.

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Videoder is the ultimate way to download YouTube videos. © NextPit

Download Videoder

Best for downloaders: Transdroid

For all the keen torrenters out there, Transdroid provides a great way to manage your torrents remotely. It supports home servers and seedboxes. From within the client, you can, among many other things, add torrents, start and stop them, and set priorities. 

It supports all the big torrent clients out there, including uTorrent, Deluge and Vuze. You can download a cut-down version from the Play Store, called Transdrone, but, to get the full experience, including integrated torrent search and RSS feeds, make sure to grab the Transdroid APK. Again, be aware of the laws surrounding torrenting in your country.

AndroidPIT best apks transdroid 1
With a quick bit of setting up, Transdroid lets you manage your torrents remotely. / © NextPit

Download Transdroid

Best alternative to YouTube: NewPipe

NewPipe is a great free YouTube frontend from the alternative app store, F-Droid, which hosts open-source APKs and also takes care of automatic updates of the apps installed.

newpipe
NewPipe's background playback setting continues with the screen off. / © NextPit

NewPipe benefits from a nice clean ad-free interface, and is able to keep playing videos in the background while you do other tasks, or even when the screen is off.

The downsides are that it doesn't support your Google account, so you can't see your subscriptions. Video quality options are also limited on NewPipe—it doesn't support playback of 1080p or better.

Download NewPipe

What's your favorite APK? How do you feel about downloading apps from outside the Play Store? Let us know in the comments.

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Nicholas Montegriffo

Nicholas Montegriffo
Editor

A cyberpunk and actual punk, Nicholas is the Androidpit team's hardcore gamer, writing with a focus on future tech, VR/AR, AI & robotics. Out of office, he can be found hanging around in goth clubs, eating too many chillies, or at home telling an unlucky nerd that their 8th level wizard died from a poisoned spike trap.

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  • 25
    Deactivated Account Dec 28, 2018 Link to comment

    Also check out Terranium TV and Fildo.

    SorinDwarfer66


    • christian yuhas 2
      christian yuhas Mar 25, 2019 Link to comment

      Terranium TV does not work anymore but you can get the same thing with Cyberflix TV, and definitely recommend Fildo.

      Deactivated Account


      • 25
        Deactivated Account Mar 25, 2019 Link to comment

        Thank you friend. I didn't know about Cyberflix TV.


  • Dean L. 34
    Dean L. Dec 28, 2018 Link to comment

    Thanks for sharing this list. Up to now I have only downloaded from the Google play store because of the warning of third party apps possibly being malware. Would like to hear others experience.

    Sorin


  • 1
    lamesheep The Sep 8, 2018 Link to comment

    Yes , vedioder is most used app to dowbload youtube video. But on other hand tubemate play a vital role. But tubmate is not available in play store. We have to find any apk sites.
    Why? Play store will not ready to allow tubemate in it.???


  • 1
    lovefreeapps Jul 24, 2018 Link to comment

    Thanks for your list. I am interested in LMT Launcher and don't think Videoder is the best for me as I hate video list flow to run my data. It is not the best for me so that I choose an alternative (InsTube video downloader) which has not video list on its homepage.


  • 26
    Andrew Burgin Jul 10, 2018 Link to comment

    There is nothing wrong with using Aptoide or Uptodown,to download applications you do not get offered on the Google Play Store,there are some good and bad ones on these sites,and they do offer updates sometimes before google offer them,so i check them now and again,Snaptube is the best one i use to download videos of youtube,plus you can also download the video as a mp3 song if you want to,tubemate is good as well but no mp3 downloads using this application

    SorinDean L.


  • 12
    harshatecordeon Jul 10, 2018 Link to comment

    useful information


  • Rusty H. 33
    Rusty H. Jul 10, 2018 Link to comment

    I use to side load, root, flash, mod...but the older I get the less I jack with the phone, since it is tied to how I work during the day, by 5pm, I sit it down and don't touch it til the next morning.

    Sorin


  • Albin Foro 30
    Albin Foro Jul 10, 2018 Link to comment

    My main use of APKs is to purchase paid apps direct from developers or from reliable sources without giving any "real me" credit card info to Google (using the Play Store with a nonsense Gmail address.) The one free app Google refuses to let in the Play Store is a system-wide ad blocker (Google does allow some ad-blocking browsers, but not system-wide blockers that stop the moronic cartoons and pop-ups that ruin many apps. I've almost forgotten what those stupid little cartoon boxes at the bottom look like.)

    I suggest the article should add, that anybody who sideloads apps should install a decent third-party security app that scans all installations for malware. All the major security threats for Android have been from malware-bearing apps outside the Play Store, and good security software basically replicates Google's own malware scanning to block installing bad actors.

    SorinDwarfer66


  • Wiz Malik 2
    Wiz Malik Jun 24, 2018 Link to comment

    best for watching movies & tv series- terrarium tv , you can download the adfree
    premium version from xdapirates.com

    SorinDwarfer66


  • news tops 1
    news tops May 5, 2018 Link to comment

    Free Android Apps and Games . Paid Android Apps and Games and unlimited moded Apps
    www .apksecured. com


  • 27
    Sorin Apr 11, 2018 Link to comment

    I did not even know about VideoMix, I find the description very interesting.
    I will test it.

    Dean L.


    • Dean L. 34
      Dean L. Dec 28, 2018 Link to comment

      Have you tested videomix? How do you like it?


      • 27
        Sorin Dec 28, 2018 Link to comment

        I downloaded the VideoMix application and saw that it can display a list of movies according to several criteria (movie genre, year, country, etc.). Being particularly interested in SF movies I searched for a few, and saw that it offers trailer. I've clicked on the links list and I've been able to watch a few more lengthy movies, but I do not think it was a complete version, but in any case more than a trailer. I liked the most that she offers a series of films by gender, although it's more convenient to search for information on a big screen of a PC.
        Personally, I recommend VideoMix for those passionate about movies, who can find additional information using that application.


  • 27
    Sorin Dec 15, 2017 Link to comment

    LMT Launcher is a very interesting app for me.


  • 20
    Reg Joo Dec 13, 2017 Link to comment

    Xposed installer(even though it ask to be updated to latest version sometimes, when it’s already updated), to install awesome video player to bring some Oreo goodness to nougat phones. Root is needed for avp, but that’s the only reason I sway from the play store, for root apps.

    Sorin


  • Mohammad Shahpari 2
    Mohammad Shahpari Apr 22, 2017 Link to comment

    thanks for list
    here some site i use
    android-apk.org
    apk.black
    dlapkandroid.org
    apkforandroid.org
    apkapk.org

    Sorin


  • Stephen Geoghan 1
    Stephen Geoghan Feb 5, 2017 Link to comment

    Why is AIO not working properly anymore.it won't show any apps and keeps saying "click to reload"" still nothing


  • catch me outside haw bought that 1
    catch me outside haw bought that Jan 29, 2017 Link to comment

    My Fav
    Aptoide
    showbox
    spotify premium apk
    peggo
    king root


  • Jason Rowe 2
    Jason Rowe Sep 26, 2016 Link to comment

    Movie box hd is great


  • Rodney Coddens 1
    Rodney Coddens Sep 15, 2016 Link to comment

    anybody know of any poker sites u can play for real money on the android box


    • 1
      Wilfred Cremo Nov 9, 2016 Link to comment

      888poker


  • leon liu 1
    leon liu May 27, 2016 Link to comment

    Wow,videoder is great, i've been downloaded and experienced some similar apps before, neither of them presented so well, never so understandable and accessible, UI and UX are perfect. and there are no ads in it which is rarity for a free app.


    • Varun Verma 1
      Varun Verma Jul 23, 2016 Link to comment

      Thanks Liu. Your appreciation means a lot to us. If possible please support us by sharing the app as much as possible. Thanks :)


  • Ella S. 1
    Ella S. May 10, 2016 Link to comment

    thanks for nice piece of information.


  • 2
    Gaurav Dagar May 5, 2016 Link to comment

    Hey there! Check for Blackmart..u can download all paid apps and games from Blackmart for free!! 😊


    • 16
      Viktor jovanović v. May 5, 2016 Link to comment

      Thank's a lott :)

      SorinGaurav Dagar


    • solomon wright 1
      solomon wright May 21, 2016 Link to comment

      Yeah - That's just Stealing....


      • Kmepie 1
        Kmepie Oct 4, 2016 Link to comment

        No, it's piracy. Stealing removes the original.


      • Deftly Proseed 1
        Deftly Proseed Dec 13, 2016 Link to comment

        theft: to knowingly and willfully deprive a person (a human not an institution) the use or access to his property.

        the latest from blackmart was 3 years ago. is BM dead? is this thread really even from this year?


    • 1
      Wilfred Cremo Nov 9, 2016 Link to comment

      Or go to apk4free.net


  • 2
    Lion Mar 17, 2016 Link to comment

    You don't need to install app to tip YouTube video or audio. Try responsive webs like www.mp3fe.com .


  • 1
    koen_dierink Mar 12, 2016 Link to comment

    is there an app like Spotify Premium, but for free?


    • Chase Lyons 1
      Chase Lyons Oct 20, 2016 Link to comment

      Yess! I don't know if you still check this but check out my YouTube channel! I have a tutorial on how to get Spotify premium free!


  • Dave 7
    Dave Feb 27, 2016 Link to comment

    Tubemate is a great ripper though you also need to download a converter from the playstore for the audio. Its also not restricted to youtube so you can rip from other sites. (Of course, this is just for educational purposes)


    • Michael Ciganovic 1
      Michael Ciganovic Mar 10, 2016 Link to comment

      Converter not needed.,tubemate has the option built in to download audio only as a mp3 or m4a file


    • 1
      Chris Mar 12, 2016 Link to comment

      Peggo is superior. They started as a powerfull windows program, but now also have great (powerfull) apps.


  • surya kumar 16
    surya kumar Feb 26, 2016 Link to comment

    Cyanogen mod is great on my nexus 7 than stock lollipop.


  • 8
    Deactivated Account Feb 24, 2016 Link to comment

    Excellent article thanks! I think more of this sort would be greatly appreciated by many people.


  • Mark G. 28
    Mark G. Feb 24, 2016 Link to comment

    I use the savefrom.net website to rip YouTube, it has a Firefox addon that puts a little download button onto the YouTube page.
    It makes ripping YouTube easy peasy.

    Peace ✌


  • 18
    Deactivated Account Feb 24, 2016 Link to comment

    Nice article!


  • 10
    Deactivated Account Feb 24, 2016 Link to comment

    Thanks for sharing :)


  • 2
    Benn Smets Dec 30, 2015 Link to comment

    How about aptoide? :D

    Robert Harden


  • 16
    Viktor jovanović v. Dec 5, 2015 Link to comment

    Unfortunety flash is unable for Google Nexus 5 Marchmallow.


    • 16
      Viktor jovanović v. Feb 6, 2016 Link to comment

      I know, buth that is a good reason why is unaviable on Nexus 5...


  • 2
    Private name Dec 4, 2015 Link to comment

    Cumdroid should be on this list, banned from the Play Store because.. you know. Check it out: www.cumdroid.com

    rickJohn Staples


    • John Staples 2
      John Staples Jan 7, 2016 Link to comment

      Omg,,wouldn't have never known....!


  • 3
    Chris Kelley Nov 24, 2015 Link to comment

    Thanks so much for the direct Flash link! I was definitely willing to search the Adobe Flash site but the fact that you provided a direct link is awesome. I can't believe that Android took this away. It must be something that is a conflict of interest for their business but there are so many sites that still use flash. I've had my LG g3 for about 6 months now with no flash until I discovered this web page so thank you!


  • 1
    Gamer Jupp Nov 22, 2015 Link to comment

    Xbmc - kodi @ wookie wizard = the best of the rest


  • 2
    KnockJohn Sep 6, 2015 Link to comment

    I notice there is no mention here of Mobdro. Any reason?

    Jason RoweChad_Higgins


    • Jason Rowe 2
      Jason Rowe Sep 26, 2016 Link to comment

      Very good app


  • 2
    prophethacker Aug 9, 2015 Link to comment

    now kodi is available on google play store


    • 1
      Gamer Jupp Nov 22, 2015 Link to comment

      Wookie wizard in kodi it amazing


  • Paulinka 2
    Paulinka Jun 30, 2015 Link to comment

    Could we add FrostWire Plus to the list? It's both a YouTube Downloader and a BitTorrent Client - built in Music Library, Player and Media Browser too! Completely free and banned from Google Play too :( www.frostwire.com/android


  • 4
    Guest Coughlan Jun 17, 2015 Link to comment

    Maybe you can help, My widget diary won't update unless i reset my phone (oneplus not rooted) is there an app i can run which will help with this update?


  • Chad_Higgins 15
    Chad_Higgins Jun 17, 2015 Link to comment

    I got tube mate app from the Slide me marketplace. Love it!


  • 1
    Asif Karim Jun 17, 2015 Link to comment

    Please, provide the download link for Humble Bundle


    • Scott Adam Gordon 31
      Scott Adam Gordon Jun 17, 2015 Link to comment

      Done! Thanks :)


  • Phil 3
    Phil Jun 15, 2015 Link to comment

    whatsapp + doesn't download :(


    • Scott Adam Gordon 31
      Scott Adam Gordon Jun 17, 2015 Link to comment

      Don't use that. WhatsApp doesn't like it. I've removed it from the article but I'll dig up some more apps and add them soon. You guys all have the Amazon app right? Thought it was kind of obvious but maybe not :/


  • 1
    Ambuman Jun 13, 2015 Link to comment

    Great set of apps. Thanks for your input


  • 20
    Reg Joo Jun 13, 2015 Link to comment

    I don't understand google. They should be working with adobe, on making a better flashplayer, as more than enough websites, including local new readers, still use flash. Google's all about advertising, so why shoot yourself, in the foot?

    Chris KelleyBojan M.


    • 1
      Elon Gates Oct 9, 2015 Link to comment

      Flash is widely regarded, with good reason, as a security nightmare. Since the adoption of HTML5, Flash is unneccessary. Adobe got on board with deprecating Flash and nobody else wants to do anything new with it. eBay seller sites are about the only place that I see it anymore. Initial die off of Flash was pretty quick as most high traffic sites got rid of it immediately when the new standard was accepted and became available. Sometimes I get frustrated about no Flash player but more often I am just glad it is gone. Flash was a PITA when it was living; now it is dead but echoes of it remain.


      • 2
        Jennifer Ramirez Jan 3, 2016 Link to comment

        Flash is dead? Where have you been lately? The Apple Icloud? I'm sooooooo sorry but Flash is not dead and is more alive now than it ever has been unless you're using a MAC and forgot that Windows ever existed. Oh wait, I'm running Flash on my IOS device as I speak! Jeez, how'd I do dat? How's that for Flash being dead!!! HTML5 is all Apple's doing I guess, but you already knew that, right?

        Robert Harden


      • 1
        Johnson Oen Jan 9, 2016 Link to comment

        Flash is dead.
        Would provide links but this site doesn't let me.

        "Gone in a Flash: The Race to Save the Internet's Least Favorite Tool" - Motherboard / Vice

        "Slowly but surely, web sites are abandoning Flash" - businessinsider

        "Flash is dying a death by 1,000 cuts, and that's a good thing" - 13wmaz

        "Disable Flash" - gizmodo

        "Flash. Must. Die." - Wired

        "THE AGONIZINGLY SLOW DECLINE OF ADOBE FLASH PLAYER" - fastcompany

        ...and there is an occupyflash org page too.


      • 1
        Robert Harden Feb 5, 2016 Link to comment

        Thank you for that my god people


      • 1
        Robert Harden Feb 5, 2016 Link to comment

        Apparently almost every website with videos haven't realized that flash is dead just yet.They have been out dated for few years now...Because they almost all headline.. Must install adobe flash player to view content. .. Cmon webmasters get with the times already!! Lol


  • 2
    Sveratus Jun 12, 2015 Link to comment

    well i simply love the non google play apps

    Bojan M.


  • Dvoraak 14
    Dvoraak Jun 12, 2015 Link to comment

    By Google's reasoning for pulling the Cyanogenmod installer app, any root app or themechooser theme could be pulled. Nice load of crap there Google. Well played.

    Bojan M.


  • 3
    Dell Feb 15, 2015 Link to comment

    I need an App!

    Hi! Is there an app I can download which can change my regular widgets to plain text but still retain its functionality? I've seen some app that lets you change your time, date, weather and battery and that's it. How about something that would let me change my chrome widget into something that says "CHROME" without any logo. Just plain text and that's it. Anyone who could recommend an app for me?

    Darren


    • Jeff Allin 1
      Jeff Allin Aug 10, 2015 Link to comment

      Zooper Widget Pro, not sure if it's exactly what you're looking for, but it sounds like it would do what you want


  • Barry Dugger 4
    Barry Dugger Dec 13, 2014 Link to comment

    You can go to Adobe's archived versions for an easier download of flash player.
    Also, you have to go to tubemate.net to get the app in this article. It is not listed on Amazon anymore.


  • 11
    Stuart Male Dec 8, 2014 Link to comment

    One question. Does your phone need to be rooted for these apps to install?


    • 19
      Moni Mihailov Dec 9, 2014 Link to comment

      Absolutely not. You just install as normal apk :)

      Stuart Male


    • phatmanXXL 6
      phatmanXXL Jun 12, 2015 Link to comment

      Some are for rooted phones. But no, you download them and install them with a file manager.


  • 14
    Sean Stockemer Dec 8, 2014 Link to comment

    outstanding article.
    somebody give this guy a raise. this type of article is the reason I keep coming to you guys first for my android news.


  • 8
    Kishin Dec 8, 2014 Link to comment

    I downloaded the APK Downloader app but when I try to log in it shows an error saying "NeedsBrowser". Does that mean I have to download the browser equivalent of this app or something?
    #help


  • 19
    Moni Mihailov Dec 8, 2014 Link to comment

    Great article. I'm currently running Android 4.1.2 TouchWiz on my S3 Mini and am able to install and use Adobe Flash (only with Firefox, though) :)

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