One of the obvious benefits of the Android platform is its openness. Android is, therefore, ideal for dipping your toe into the “app” world.
Here’s the method I use to install an app on an Android phone without going through the hassle of having to publish it on Google’s Play Store:
- Goto Settings → Applications and tick Unknown Sources so that any applications can be installed, rather than just ones from the Google app store.
- Plug in phone and set it to USB storage mode (mount as a disk drive) so that you can view the device’s SD Card as a disk drive.
- Copy your application file (.apk) to the phone and note the location.
- Disconnect the phone.
- Use a File Manager app to find the file and install your .apk file.