Non Google Play Store Android apps

[AndroidsRus]

Can Android apps that are not in the Google Play Store be downloaded into a Nexus 7? The Kindle Fire only accepts apps from the Amazon Kindle Store and 'regular' Android apps will not load. If non Google Play apps can be downloaded into a Nexus 7, what is the procedure?

Many thanks.

[Babyfacemagee]

Yes, the Nexus 7 is not 'locked'.  You can import or download any Android App you want with no restrictions as long as it's compatible with the 4.1 version of Android.  There's no special 'procedure'.  You just download the App from whatever site you buy it at or you move it to your device through the microUSB hooked up to your laptop/desktop.  Easy as pie.

[AndroidsRus]

Very cool! Thank you - I think I'll buy two...........

Cheers

[S.Prime]

You will want to go to Settings then Applications and check Unknown Sources to install apps that are non-Google Play Store. Then you will be able to install apps like the Amazon App Store which will allow you to download, install, and control your licenses from the Amazon App Store. Also, Amazon offers a paid app for free every day.

[Banumu]

Yes, the Nexus 7 is not 'locked'.  You can import or download any Android App you want with no restrictions as long as it's compatible with the 4.1 version of Android.  There's no special 'procedure'.  You just download the App from whatever site you buy it at or you move it to your device through the microUSB hooked up to your laptop/desktop.  Easy as pie.

If it's not locked then why are people going to root it?

[S.Prime]

Rooting means that you have unlocked the bootloader, which will give you r/w privileges on the partition that contains the system files. BFM was referring to the Nexus 7 not locking you to one source for apps. For example you will be able to purchase and install apps from the Amazon App Store.

[samalex]

As others have said it should be possible.  I sideload Android packages to my Kindle Fire all the time since the Amazon app store lacks many of the apps I use, including all the Google apps (Gmail, G+, Maps, etc), so doing this to the N7 should be no different.

Also there are a number of ways to do it effortlessly, and I'll wrote-up a tutorial when my N7 arrives.  Honestly though I'm not sure what apps I'd need to sideload though since most if not all the apps I use are already in Google Play. 

Sam

[DaveS]

I have totally successfully side loaded Flash and BBC iPlayer App. Both work just fine. Simply downloaded them, went to Download and tapped on the files.

[chaikenj]

Yes, the Nexus 7 is not 'locked'.  You can import or download any Android App you want with no restrictions as long as it's compatible with the 4.1 version of Android.

Yes, the Nexus 7 is not limited to a single source of apps, unlike some other Android tablets.  In regard to compatibility, once you receive your Nexus 7 and sign up with your Google Account, when you look at an app in any Chrome browser (Nexus 7 or computer) you will see a message about whether it is or is not compatible with the Nexus 7.  Even some apps on Google Play are not compatible with the N7.