Downloaded an app from PlayStore on another device. Can it work on mine?

bartenderstoneware

Hi everyone. I wonder about a specific case:

If I want to use an app on my phone running GOS. But that app is only available at F-Droid or PlayStore. Could I download the app on another device running e.g. stock Samsung android and then move it to my phone? The app doesn't require neither internet access nor updates. It would run in a separate user.

Is it possible that the app is working if I do it like that? Or is there any other (maybe better) way to use it on my phone?

[deleted]

If I understand correctly, you're interested in using GOS without relying on an app store? If so you can transfer an APK using a USB-C to USB-C connection, an external storage device, or Bluetooth.

If that's not the case, you can utilize Vanadium to access F-Droid. However, please note that F-Droid utilizes an outdated software toolkit (STK). As an alternative, I would recommend downloading Droid-ify instead.

For my GOS device, I prefer to keep a minimal setup with just 20 apps, that number includes the default ones.

[deleted]

[deleted] sdk*

bartenderstoneware

[deleted] No, the case is that I'm using GOS. I'm downloading apps from GitHub. I have the same number of apps as you have.

But I want to make ear training (music skills) and there is no app for this you can get on github. So I thought that I could download an open-source ear training app - on my uncle's device or so - from PlayStore.

But I'm not sure if that's a good idea

vvf69107

[deleted] what about aurora droid

vvf69107

bartenderstoneware you can download from the playstore repo with the app aurora store.
https://auroraoss.com/

[deleted]

bartenderstoneware Oh I see, the Aurora Store might be for you <3

[deleted]

vvf69107 Personally, I'm more of a fan of droid-ify and it's icon/ aesthetic. It's just my personal preference, and I'm not a huge fan of the UI on aurora droid/aurora store.

vvf69107

[deleted] ok but in terms of the sdk?

[deleted]

vvf69107 I'm not sure what Aurora droid targets, but assume the same as Aurora Store that targets Sdk 33. droid-ify targets Sdk 33 as well.

bartenderstoneware

[deleted]

vvf69107

I didn't specifiy it the right way: I neither want to use PlayStore nor Fdroid nor Aurora Story/- Droid nor Droidify on my device.

But I wonder if moving an app downloaded over (in my case most likely) PlayStore onto my device is working and/or a good idea or not. :)

[deleted]

bartenderstoneware My bad if I don't understand, You want to install a PlayStore app on to your phone but don't want to install PlayStore?

Why do you not want to download an app store to your phone?

[deleted]

bartenderstoneware It is obviously not going to work with every app and it depends on the architecture of the phone of originating download. Google Play store provides versions of apps that are device (architecture) specific. So while one app may work, another may not install. Also for installing multiple apk app you will need third party installer (I have no experience with that). Finally, with apps depending on Google Play you're more than likely to run into issues. And even if they work, each update will have to be installed manually. I think if you don't want to use environment of (sandboxed) Google Play, your best bet is to use Aurora Store (to initiate app install) and then disable it.

vvf69107

[deleted] when you either dont want to install google services or login to a google account

vvf69107

[deleted] aurora store provides some device-profiles for this issue. note that some apps rely on GSF and the Playstore too.