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How to Install Non-market Android Apps

Now that you are continuously surfing over pages of Android Market with hundreds of apps to download, one day you may wonder what next, what are the other resources to explore. This article contains detailed instructions as how to find and install third party compatible apps.

Step 1. Research and locate other compatible app resource

The easiest way for this step is just to do a search on Google, but sometimes you may just discover a compatible app by accident. Forums also are a good place to read about other users’ findings and comments. Other websites like Slide Android Market and AndAppStore also feature non-market apps.

Step 2. Check to see of the app is in compatible format.

You have to make sure in this step that the app you are going to download is in the right format. The correct format to work with your Android handset is the APK; that is the file should have the APK extension to work.

Step 3. Start the download the compatible file to the smartphone.

As a rule, the file will be downloaded to the phone’s default download folder. But the location is not important if you can find the file later.

Step 4. Customize your Android phone to a non-Market installation option.

You will have to go to Menu, Settings and then press Applications. From the latter, select the Unknown Sources option.

Step 5. Get the Android file manager and install it.

You can also use Android SDK for APK file installation. But most users usually opt for a free file manager app. The most popular is the free Apps Installer available from Android Market, but of course there are other with similar function.

Step 6. Installing the new software.

Launch the file manager and then select install. Browse to the downloaded APK file and select it. Further follow on screen instructions to finish the installation.

Step 7. Make Android secure again.

Go to Menu, Settings and Application and then uncheck the Unknown Source box.

We hope with this simple instructions, you can find tons of useful apps to every taste and install them without any headache

Viewsonic Viewpad 10 Android 2.2 Update

Viewsonic has finally rolled out Android 2.2 update for their ViewPad 10 tablet. This tablet originally came with Android 1.6 operating system and its company has made its user base wait for quite a long time for an update. While we strongly believe that the company should have blessed the users with Honeycomb, it is still nice to see that the users will be atleast be able to view flash content on their tablets. Here is a step by step instructions on how to get the update on your ViewPad 10.

Acer A500 Root

Acer Iconia Tab A500 is a Android 3.0 tablet sporting a zippy Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, all packed inside a nice big 10.1 ich screen. It costs a lot less than the Xoom ($600 vs $450) but is a bit on the bulkier side. Some people are already calling it a cure-all tablet and we respectfully agree with them. But, did you know you could do much more with this Android tablet after rooting it? Follow these instructions to root it:

Root Tmobile G2x

Yay, so you just got yourself the Tmobile G2x and you are thrilled by all that power packed into that little smartphone. Now, you want to make it do stuff which the companies do not want to do and to do that, you will need to Root that beauty. Just follow these instructions to root it:

SE Xperia Play Root

This method roots a rooted Android 3.0 (gingerbread) firmware of SE Xperia Play. Just follow these instructions to root the Xperia.

Dell Streak 7 Root Guide

Dell Streak 7 is one of the cheapest branded Android tablets around. It comes with Android 2.2 Froyo and will be given Honeycomb treatment. Here is a guide to root your Streak 7 which will open a new world of possibilities.

Xoom 3G, WiFi One Click Root

Here is a much more simpler and straight forward way of rooting your new Wi-Fi or 3G Motorola Xoom. This one does not require you download huge SDKs or anything of that sort (like this Motorola Xoom Root guide). Follow this guide very carefully:

Xoom: Enable MicroSD card

Motorola has still not released an official fix for the MicroSD card slot on Xoom but that has not stopped the brave and adventurous developer community (and crazy people) to fix that problem. To fix the nasty problem, all you have to do is use the kernel ‘Tiamat’ (v1.3.0). This will add support for the slot that can be found in the SDcard2 root folder.

Asus Transformer Root

Asus Transformer has not even made it to the market and someone has not only been able to get their filthy hands on the tablet but has also rooted it. Yes, he has been able to gain root access and this means that you will be able to all sorts of mods on it the day it hit the market shelves. UPDATE – Rooting instructions are up.

HTC Thunderbolt OneClickRoot

HTC Thunderbolt is the first phone that is now outselling iPhone in most of the US stores and to be honest, it offers an incredible featureset. However, you can squeeze out more functionality out of it by rooting it. This will allow you customize your Android phone to your heart’s content. Follow my guide to root it: