Some Mudita Kompakt owners sideload apps like there is no tomorrow and I would like to be one of them but I am scaredy cat when it comes to digital security so I am hesitant to sideload anything. What I can’t really do without is some internet based comms tool for day to day communication with my partner. Sms aren’t really suitable for this for various reasons. I am considering sideloading Signal from their website Signal >> Signal Android APK (heard it auto updates that way). Still, I am scared what doors this could open and how safe it is. I am not planning to have state security level info on the device but lot of my personal info could be there and also it will be connected to the laptop occasionally which I use for more sensitive tasks. So I am wondering what threads can sideloading like this bring into Mudita Kompakt.
Can someone knowledgeable share their view? Thanks a ton.
The phone runs on an older Android version (12) with the latest security patch from like 2023. Does that make sideloading dangerous? Meh, but I would NEVER use a banking app or have sensitive data on it.
I would say there’s nothing more dangerous about sideloading compared to just installing an app on a regular phone, which most people do all the time without hesitation.
It really boils down to the app itself. Some apps, like Temu, should never be installed on any phone. I wouldn’t install any social media apps. But Signal is a very safe app so long as you are installing from a reputable source.
When in doubt, look at what permissions the app needs, check to see if the app is sending data somewhere, and download the app from a trusted source. Personally, I sideloaded Aurora and F-Droid so that I don’t have to worry about dealing with APKs for anything else.