Obtainium is an app manager which allows you to enter links to releases of various other apps, managing installation and update of non-native apps.
From the github readme: “Obtainium allows you to install and update apps directly from their releases pages, and receive notifications when new releases are made available.” cf. https://obtainium.imranr.dev/
I have been using obtainium on my Kompakt for a while, and although I keep it minimal and have not tried many apps, all of those I tried installed and ran without complication. Managing apps is much more convenient than sideloading updates all the time. And a huge benefit of obtainium is that you get the apk’s directly from the original devs, and not via some middle service (like f-droid).
Review for version 1.4.3
Author’s rating: ★★★★★ · Author of this review
Dear @kirkmahoneyphd ,
I can confirm that “f-droid official” is among the sources from which you can find and install apps.
This means that you would not require the F-Droid app and can install from their apk repository anyways.
However, as I understand it, you then still install the apk’s from their servers, which F-Droid compiled - with all the advantages (availability) and disadvantages (trust intermediate third party).
Obtainium has had some GUI rework since my review, it is a bit fancier and looks more modern with tiles and rounded corners and the common overuse of swiping animations. However, it still works as it should on my kompakt (1.5.0).