this post was submitted on 12 Oct 2023
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I downloaded an apk from mobilism and before I install it, how do I go about ensuring it's not malware or an unsafe app? I'm all for buying apps but I hate all these subscriptions...

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Android is not really at risk when using an up to date os and not giving the app sensitive permissions. Android apps are sandboxed and canot do much without permissions. If you want to be sure, use virustotal as other recommended in the thread. Also maybe avoid sketchy sources

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Virustotal.com

I have a PWA (Web App) created for this website on my home screen. I always check downloaded APKs by uploading them here.

It's smart. It does not always require you to upload the apk. 99% of the time, the APKs from Mobilism are already uploaded and scanned there by other users. In that case, the website simply checked the file hash, skips the upload and shows the scan results.

As for the scan results themselves, I'm not an expert. Maybe others on this thread can help you there.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

There are plenty of things that scans will not pick up that you still likely don't want your apps doing.

However an alternative app store I use is F-Droid. Which only hosts apps that are open source. This means that it is significantly less likely that anything bad will be on the apps. Since the source code is available for anyone to review. It also means that everything on there is legally free anyway. 😀

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Doesn't answer the question.... But i can recommend F-Droid too. It's really good. I get 80% of my Apps there. But it's for people who like and want free software. Maybe not for everyone.