More than ever before, the use of smartphones has been on the rise. Today, tablets and smartphones are increasingly gaining popularity, thanks to the ever-advancing mobile phone technology. Mobile phones are now easily accessible, affordable and, in addition to this, they include more smart features than they did a few years back. We cannot ignore the impact of mobile phones in our daily lives. But then again, you have to consider the efforts most people go through when downloading apps and APKs. Before we go any further, let’s take a look at the difference between phone APKs and mobile apps.
Mobile APKs
Since the inception of smartphones – Android smartphones to be specific – mobile phone applications have been an inseparable unit on mobile devices. In your everyday use of the mobile phone, there are certain applications that you’ll need to use to make your life easier. This is the reason why we’ll need to differentiate between a mobile app and an APK. This is to give you a hint on what you need before downloading just any application and some clear guidelines on what you need to consider.
Now, an APK OR an Android Application (Kit) Package, is basically a file format that is restricted to supporting the Android Operating System (OS). APKs are a collection of various source codes, small files, videos, and other elements that make it easier for the distribution of other processes. One thing to note is that APKs can be sourced outside of Google Play store but they cannot be installed without using an enabling source from your smartphone’s settings. This is why you need to be extremely cautious before downloading an APK from an unverifiable website. You may also notice that before downloading a mobile app, you may need to sign up in the Google Play store. This is however different from downloading an APK. It’s very easy to download an APK from the official websites and it’s for this reason that most people prefer downloading an app using its APK file version.
Mobile Apps
While it may not be a new term for most people, it will still be wise to explain it to those who may still be in the dark. An app is a short form of ‘application’. Before the advent of the mobile platform or smartphones, users had to make do with window software applications. Thanks to technology, you can now have a better Android experience with mobile apps.
Downloading an APK from Google Play
If you are an android user, you have a great amount of control on your OS, unlike an iPhone user. This is because iPhone users need to Jailbreak their phones before downloading any apps. But with an android phone, you have the option of either installing an app or APK files from Google Play store. But then again, you have to consider various risks involved when using APK files. Here are a few things you need to consider before downloading an APK on your mobile device.
Source Site Security and Safety
One thing to note is that some APK files could be harmful to your device. Hackers are taking advantage of the free installation processes to install malware and viruses on such files. This is why you need to take certain precautions when choosing an APK download site, preferably a secure one like https://apktovi.com/. In addition to assured online safety and cybersecurity, the site provides various versions of the same app and constantly offers updates on newer versions. Some other reliable alternatives to keep your phone protected include:
Using the VirusTotal website – This site will allow you to check the APK for malware and viruses before downloading.
HashDroid – When using the HashDroid website, you’ll be able to check the digital fingerprint of the website known as the SHA. Now if the SHA doesn’t correspond to the digital fingerprint, then it’s not worth downloading the APK for safety reasons.
Use NViso APKScan – As the name suggests, this is an application utilized to scan for malware and other safety and security concerns. But you’ll first and foremost need to download the NViso APKScan app before downloading any APK file. The best thing about this application is that you have no limit when downloading large files on the Google Play store and in addition to this, it’s easy to use and fast.
Finally, having the freedom to download certain APK files comes with a hefty price of downloading supporting applications such as the ones highlighted above. But one thing is for sure, you always want to ensure that the files you’re downloading are safe in such a way that your device will not be corrupted. It’s always a plus on your part to counter check an app before downloading it. This will help to ensure the longevity of your mobile device as well as other safety issues.