I don’t use iOS and have only been able to install many popular apps through APKs sourced from other sites like github and apkpure.
Ill admit I don’t know much about side loading but I think that only supports my original point that the average user isnt aware of less intuitive alternatives to the play store.
Let me introduce you to !fdroid@lemmy.ml
Also Amazon has an app store for android as well.
I’m vaguely familiar with fdroid, but thanks for linking. My understanding is that fdroid doesnt support automatic updates, though I might be wrong. I use obtainium instead.
Amazon store is indeed another option. Personally my issue with the Google play store is the sketchiness of the company though, so Amazon isn’t a good alternative for people like myself.
F-Droid searches for updated app versions automatically, downloads them when you’re connected to WiFi, and notifies you.
You then have to install them one by one manually, which is a bit annoying, yes.There’s other frontends for fdroid available like neostore that handle it automatically
