# Sideloading
> Sideloading means installing an app from outside the official app store.
Topics: Apps, Smartphones
Difficulty: Everyday
Aliases: manual app install
Updated: 2026-06-26T08:00:00.000Z
## Why it matters

It can unlock useful apps, but it also raises the risk of malware if the source is not trustworthy.

## Go deeper
Sideloading means installing an app from outside the official app store. In everyday buying decisions, the useful question is not just what the spec says, but what it changes for comfort, cost, speed, safety, or battery life.