Is APKPure safe to use?

What is APKPure?

APKPure is a webpage where you can download open-source Android applications. APKPure doesn’t vet apps like Google Play, so you can find discontinued or restricted apps there.

The website is one of the most popular sources for downloading Android applications because it hosts tons of free or shareware apps. However, as APKPure doesn’t have as rigid verification procedures as official app stores, you are more likely to contract malware there.

Is APKPure safe?

APKPure is not an official app store, so its usage is risky. While the service claims that it matches the digital signatures of the apps to avoid fakes, APKPure contained malicious apps in some cases.

However, it is relatively safe to use APKPure if you stay cautious and always double-check what you download. People like APKPure because it is not tied to Google and offers a wide selection of apps.

Is APKpure legal?

Generally, APKPure is legal, but it can contain some illegal content, such as cracked or pirated apps. So you can still venture into illegal territory by using it.

Pros and cons of APKPure

Here are some of the pros and cons of this service.

Pros

A wide variety of apps

APKPure offers a wide variety of apps — you can download older versions of apps and games. APKPure has lists of every app’s different versions and their descriptions, so it is convenient to choose the one that suits you best. Users can use older versions of apps for various purposes — they can contain features no longer available or work better on specific operating systems.

However, older versions usually lack the most recent security patches and updates, so you are more exposed to various cybersecurity threats while you use them.

No geo-restrictions

In Google Play, people from different countries can see different offers or have different versions of apps. APKPure has no such geo-restrictions, so a user can find apps unavailable in the Google store of their region. APKPure enables you to have the unrestricted potential of the apps with no geo-boundaries.

The latest updates

Updates usually have to pass tests and verification processes in official stores before being released. APKPure has no such procedures, so updates appear faster. The drawback is that they are not properly tested, so they still can contain vulnerabilities.

Open-source nature

APKPure is open source, so developers can tweak it the way they want. Also, developers don’t need third-party approvals to upload their apps, so they appear faster in APKPure.

Cons

Safety issues

While APKPure doesn’t have as strong verification and vetting procedures as official apps, you can encounter malicious or dodgy apps there. Some of the apps in APKPure can also be hacked or unavailable in certain countries due to their unreliability.

Outdated content

As mentioned before, you can also install outdated apps lacking the newest security patches or fresh unverified updates that can still be vulnerable to exploits.

No age restrictions

APKPure has no age restrictions. Therefore, kids can access age-restricted apps. This issue causes additional concern for parents because their children can use APKPure to access inappropriate or even harmful content.

Conclusion

We recommend you stay on the safe side and use official app stores instead — they are more reliable. However, if you still wish to use APKPure, we recommend the following:

• Always research the app before downloading it to be sure it’s not malicious.
• If your device is infected with malware, react immediately. Here are some tips on how to remove malware from Android.
• Use a VPN. Some VPNs have extra features to block malware before it reaches your device. NordVPN offers the Threat Protection Pro feature that scans downloads for malware, stops you from landing on malicious websites, and blocks trackers and intrusive ads on the spot.