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How to Enable "Unknown Sources" to Install Third-Party Apps (APK Files) on a Nexus 4 or Nexus 5

Jan 24, 2014 06:34 AM

Aug 13, 2014 05:24 PM

Device administrator settings with options to view or deactivate administrators and allow app installations from unknown sources.

Here's one of those modding must-haves that's basic, yet easy enough to forget about. If you're going to install apps that don't live in the Google Play Store, like the Google Experience Launcher, the OnePlus One lock screen, or something that needs root privileges like the Xposed Framework, you need to turn on this setting.

All you have to do is go to Settings -> Security, then check the box next to Unknown sources and you're good to go.

Device administration settings showing options for managing device administrators and enabling installation from unknown sources.

With that done, you can install any APK file that you'd like onto your Nexus 4, Nexus 5, or any other Android phone.

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