Install Apps not available from Google Play Store

Note: This content in this article is targeted towards Android Users

In this post, I shall be describing the steps/tricks/hacks to install apps that cannot be downloaded/available via Google Play store. Please refer the section 'FAQs' below if you face issues while following the steps mentioned below

1. File Sharing apps like ShareIt

Note : This method shall work only if your friend has the app installed in his mobile and he/she is in your proximity
You could first install a file sharing app like ShareIt . Get the same installed on your friends mobile as well. Now through 'Share It', chose the app of your interest and use the Send/Recieve feature. It gets transferred to your mobile !!

Benefits :
File sharing apps mostly use technologies like Bluetooth tethering hotspot, Wi-Fi direct etc., and mostly no charges since it doesn't consume mobile/Wi-Fi bandwidth. Its free !!

2. Use alternate channels to Google PlayStore

Its possible that certain app stores like apkpure might have it available. There are quite a few other popular play stores that pulls the apps published from Google Playstore and have it synchronized in their repositories. Hence its possible they might have them. You could download it from these alternate channels and have it installed on your mobile. Refer to the FAQ below 'My Smartphone is not allowing apps from alternate sources' if you have issues installing it on your mobile.

FAQs

My Smartphone is not allowing apps from alternate Sources

Google by default doesn't allow apps downloaded from sources other than PlayStore. You have an option to disable it though. You need to enable installation from 'Unknown Sources' from your mobile Security Settings.
In my phone (One Plus X), I could do it through Settings->Security->Unknown sources (Toggle the radio button)

What are the common reasons for an app to be not available in Play store ?

For e.g., Popular e-Commerce app 'Walmart' is not available for India users. Several reasons and here are a few

• Google allows an app publishers to list the countries he/she wants the app to be available in. App developer/publishers might select only a few countries of his interest. Common reasons for choosing/restricting in certain countries is due to lack of support/business in the particular country. 
• Google charges a fee for developers to register before they can publish. At the time of writing this article, its 25$ (one time registration fee. Quite cheap when compared with Apple Store which is 100$ renewable ever year !!). Its possible that app developer/publisher chose not to pay this fee and published his/her app through alternate channels (like apkpure)

What are the disadvantages/down-sides of this approach ?
A few side-effects listed below

• You might not get latest version since your friend might be running an older one. 
• Google does not officially support/authorize apps downloaded other than from PlayStore.

I got the app downloaded/installed. But unable to run it ?
Its possible that app developer might have written his/her app to be country specific. Android has Location/Country APIs. Developer might have leveraged it and restricted access for your location programatically.