APK files are Android installation packages that are downloaded from the Internet and are often provided by third parties, such as websites dedicated to hosting the files. Because APK files install applications on the system, they can pose a serious security threat. A person with malicious intent could modify the APK before installing it and then use it as a digital Trojan horse to install and execute malware. To protect yourself from any harmful APK file, you should make sure that the site you use is trustworthy.
APK Mirror, APKPure, and Aptoide are some of the most reliable sites for downloading APKs. APK Mirror uses cryptographic signatures to verify the validity of the application it hosts, while APKPure uses SHA certificates to ensure that no harmful APKs are published on its website. Aptoide uses a collection of tools to recognize malware within applications hosted in its store. After that, the applications also go through a manual scan performed by Aptoide's “Quality Team”.
APKMirror is one of the most popular sites for downloading APKs. It has practically all the APKs of the applications you're looking for, and it's constantly adding new versions. The website design is minimalistic and easy to navigate, making it one of the easiest to use APK download websites out there. The black market offers several functions and applications for download on a very simple to use platform.
The metadata for these apps comes directly from the Google Play Store and links to the app's original list. This means that any new app you have in mind can be instantly downloaded to your device once it's released. nViso is an application that can be used to check the safety of an APK file. Once you install the application on your Android device and use it to check the APK file, nViso offers you a very detailed report about it.
Similarly, if you want to revert to a previous version of an application, APK repositories are always your best option. Petal Search is another website that offers a ton of applications and software not only for Android, but also for Windows, Linux and Mac. Despite promises that it would link to official sources rather than third-party sources, Petal Search still pushed users to AppParks for WhatsApp and Facebook before the official source of the website. The database of secure APK downloads is quite impressive, and some of its most popular downloads are VidMate, the YouTube video downloader, Pokémon TV, and more.
