# Untrusted App Installs

> Allow Android App installs from unknown sources by configuring Applivery Policies and Device settings — bypass default security restrictions.

Source: https://docs.applivery.com/en/device-management/android/app-management/untrusted-app-installs/  •  Last updated: 2026-06-09

**Key topics:** Android security settings, Applivery MDM policies, Untrusted Apps Policy configuration, Play Store Mode configuration, Granting device permissions, Android, Google Play Store, Applivery, IT admin

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**TL;DR:** Learn how to enable app installations from unknown sources on Android devices using Applivery MDM policies and device settings.

![unknown-sources](https://www.applivery.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/unknown-sources.jpeg "unknown-sources | Applivery")

Android’s operating system includes a built-in security feature that blocks the installation of Apps from sources outside the Google Play Store. This means that if you’re trying to install an App downloaded from a source other than the Google Play Store, you may encounter various warning messages.

By default, the permission to install Apps from sources other than the Google Play Store is disabled. This means that no device will be able to download, configure, or install an unauthorized App unless explicitly allowed through a Policy.

![blocked by it admin](https://docs.applivery.com/int/_r2/media/09ac0a4e-3ad8-478f-9f15-3474973eec71/4b385066-06c6-4166-85c4-fc640e1a6029.png)
:::danger
Blocked by your IT admin. If you have questions, contact your IT admin.

If a user attempts to enable this setting on their Device, they will encounter a block message from their IT admin and will not be able to enable it.
:::
:::info
These messages can be customized using the [Short Support Message](https://docs.applivery.com/en/device-management/android/policies/personalized-support-messages/) property.
:::

## Configuring your Policy

Once in the [**Applivery Dashboard**](https://dashboard.applivery.io), go to any of your **Policies** 1. From the left side menu, select **Restrictions** 2, locate the **App** section, then search for the **Advanced Security Overrides** > **Untrusted Apps Policy** 3 configuration.

:::warning
For Devices with Work Profiles, untrusted App installations can only be allowed within the Personal Profile. Alternatively, they can be enabled across the entire Device.
:::

![untrusted Apps](https://docs.applivery.com/int/_r2/media/09ac0a4e-3ad8-478f-9f15-3474973eec71/8a240bee-067c-4e1b-b057-b07d098a7159.png)

Now, locate the **Play Store Mode** 4 configuration (not to be confused with Personal Play Store Mode) and set it to **Blacklist**. With this configuration, **all Apps are available**, and any App that should not be on the Device must be explicitly **marked as BLOCKED** in the applications Policy.

![play store mode](https://docs.applivery.com/int/_r2/media/09ac0a4e-3ad8-478f-9f15-3474973eec71/d11bf46e-7d7f-4251-8e20-6c6d347b32ca.png)

## Additional Device-side configurations

As mentioned earlier, the permission to install Apps from sources other than the Google Play Store is disabled by default.

Even if the installation of Apps from unknown sources is allowed through Policy, the user must still grant the necessary permissions directly on their Device.

To learn how to grant these permissions, please refer to our documentation on [installing Apps from unknown sources](https://docs.applivery.com/en/app-distribution/platforms/android/unknown-sources/).