Top 5 APKs for Android

Most Android users install applications that Google Play has to offer. However, the potential of Android isn’t restricted to the store and to Google services. As many already know, there’s a plethora of APKs that Google doesn’t offer, and today I’ve prepared a list of the top five.

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Note: For a tutorial on how to install this type of app, check out this article (be sure to enable the option for "unknown sources " in the section "Privacy" of the settings on your device.

WhatsApp +

Whatsapp+ is one of the biggest hits in the universe of APKs. This is a modified version of WhatsApp, which offers some interesting extras, like the ability to change the size of files that you want to share, send pictures with full resolution or hide your connection status. Keep in mind that there are many versions of the app, but you should only install the original.

Other interesting aspects of Whatsapp+ are that you are able to send music, use a wider range of emoticons and setup themes and icons to personalize your application, plus an widget with direct access to the profile picture, username, status and settings. To download the Whatsapp+, visit their official website.

TubeMate

This application, which many people already know, basically allows one to download videos from YouTube. The functioning of the app is simple: it locates the YouTube video, which you can view and download in various formats, even in 1080p. Once downloaded, you can find them in the video section of your gallery. TubeMate can be downloaded from the Amazon Appstore. Videoder is another app that has similar functionality.

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CyanogenMod Installer

The CyanogenMod Installer had a brief stay in the Google Play Store (only two weeks), and has not lost popularity even while outside of the Google Play Store. It seems that the reason for the withdrawal was because the app didn’t following Google guidelines for developers. This APK is actually a software that guides users to activate an "ADB",i.e a debugging tool to install the CyanogenMod ROM. This app complements a program that transmits this data to the smartphone.

Find out how to install the CyanogenMod Installer.

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Gravity Box

In the universe of APKs, there is one genre that has an ever-increasing fanbase: apps that allow users to customize their device much more than usual. However, such options always require you to have a rooted device. In addition, you must also have installed the INSTALLER Xposed on your smartphone.

The Gravity Box allows one to modify the status bar, the lock screen and the notifications. Despite being a more appropriate tool for advanced users, as it requires root, its use is extremely simple and intuitive. If you would like to download GravityBox v3.1.1, you can do so on the XDA Developers website.

© XDA Developers

LMT Launcher

Here’s yet another APK which is very interesting, but doesn’t require root. The app offers a detachable menu, which opens into a fan shape and offers shortcuts. To open this menu, simply swipe from any edge of the screen toward the center. It is a customizable menu where you can add your preferred options. You can also get the APK from the XDA Developers Forum.

© XDA Developers

Bonus : APK Downloader

We conclude our list of the best APKs with an application that, although it is available in Google Play Store, it allows one to download APK files for Play Store applications without having to install the app. It is much safer to download apps in APK format, which offers greater protection against malware.

You can download the APK Downloader app for free.