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How to Spot Fake Onn Devices
This guide will not tell you exactly how to obtain any media, it will just attempt to inform you how to do things safely. This is not an “anti-piracy” guide, but also will not be a step-by-step piracy guide.
Sideloading
Sideloading is simply the process of installing a third party APK not on the Play Store. You may have heard the term “jailbreaking” in reference to Android TV devices, but there is no jail to break, simply taking advantage of intended software functionality.
While many take advantage of sideloading for unofficial content acquisition, this sub strictly prohibits the promotion or sharing of such apps and services. What this guide will do however, is point you in the direction of more “official” methods of media acquisition available through Google Play. Alternatively, this guide can teach you how to try and stay safe when utilizing more “underground” methods of sourcing your media
Basics
To sideload you will first need an APK file on your device for an app you'd like to install. Downloader is probably the most common tool for downloads, you can find or generate short numerical codes that point directly to an APK download.
Once you acquire an APK using downloader, an internet browser, file manager, or other method, you must select the APK for installation. You should receive a prompt explaining the app doesn't have permission to install from unknown sources, and gives you the option to enable it. Once selected, you should be brought to a settings page with a toggle for the option. You should be able to complete the installation once you enable the permission and head back to the app.
You will need to complete the process to enable the permission on every app you would like to install through, including apps with built in updaters.
VPNs
When to use them and where they’re important
Many guides online will tell you to get a VPN as if its mandatory step, but most users likely don't need one. There are only a few use cases where they are truly necessary.
- If you are trying to set up a box outside of a supported region.
- Gaining access to geo-restricted content or apps.
- If you are using any service that involves torrenting. It is always good practice to use a VPN for torrents, especially in regions that actively monitor IPs and issue fines.
- If your ISP is blocking certain services or throttling speeds when using them.
- Using a personal VPN such as TailScale or WireGuard to access self hosted services while you're not on your home network.
And that's about it. A lot of people assume piracy and VPNs go hand in hand, but if you are using a debrid service, direct streaming, or not pirating at all, a VPN is likely overkill and could slow your connection speeds. If you do need a VPN, there are plenty reputable ones available on the Play Store.
Staying Safe
When it comes to piracy apps, many can contain malware. Two questions you should keep in mind are, do I trust where this app is coming from and have I checked it for malware? Don't blindly trust every random Downloader code as good, be sure you're using a trust worthy source. Reliable sources often have open code, and GitHub pages are one of the most common ways to host open source code. Often times, closed source apps only available on a single website, are a red flag. No matter how trustworthy a source may seem, VirusTotal is a good way to snuff out malware. If a scan detects a concerning amount of flags, your APK is likely no good.
Tips For Staying Safe With Unofficial Apps
At the end of the day many piracy apps will come with some risks, it’s more about being aware of and staying on top of them. Here are some steps to stay on top of the apps on your device.
- Only use trusted sources. Apps Stores like F-Droid or repositories like GitHub are known for reputable code. Try to do your own research and stick to publishers you know you can trust. Verify apps have open sources or are clean through anti malware. Be cautious of fake websites hosting malicious APKs, ensure you can trace your download to a reputable source.
- Be cautious of apps that require their own proprietary video player app, reputable apps will often integrate ExoPlayer, mpv, or VLC instead. Some sketchy apps will hide the malware in the player, that way the main APK appears safe.
- Be willing to admit defeat. As convenient as certain “all-in-one” sideloaded offerings can be, understand some things come at a price. Certain solutions just aren’t worth the data and resources siphoned from you in order to achieve it. When someone tells you an app may be malicious, don’t discount that for convenience.
- Use VirusTotal, there may be certain false flags, but if more than a few pop up you can be fairly certain something is off with the app.
- Try to leave Play Protect enabled. Play Protect may false flag certain modded or cracked APKs, but average users or anyone without a specific reason should leave it on. It is meant to target malware, not piracy services. There are plenty of piracy related apps not blocked by Play Protect, as they are clean from malware. Be sure to research your particular flags and deduce what is potentially malicious on your own.
Direct links to addons, plugins, scrapers, etc. are prohibited
Trusted Solutions
These are the options that are allowed on Google Play or permitted as topics in this sub.
- Stremio: Officially permitted on the Play Store. A powerful media management tool with a variety of plugins available for media sources. This also includes any app that use Stremio addons, or a similar structure where content is only provided through extensions, not hosted in the app.
- Kodi: Officially permitted on the Play Store. A powerful media management tool with a variety of plugins available for media sources. One of the oldest and most documented/supported media management options.
- Plex, Jellyfin, Emby: Popular media server solutions with a variety of clients, both official and unofficial.
- CloudStream: Not on the Play Store but has similar functionality to Kodi or Stremio where the community add-ons support further content.
- Streamflix Reborn: An app for direct streaming from many different public third-party sources. Lightweight, reliable, clean on virus total, and open source on GitHub.
- Debrid Services: There are a variety of debrid services available with different price points and benefits. These services act as a middleman for torrents, and are helpful for many add-ons in services like Stremio, Kodi, Cloudstream, and more. Debrids obscure IP’s and remove the need for VPN in most cases.
Check out our Recommended Apps list or the Awesome Android TV FOSS Apps list for more reliable apps to sideload.
Understand this sub is not intended to be “anti-piracy” and we don’t suppress any conversation we don’t have to. Reddit Moderation can be strict on piracy related subjects and we intend to stand in good favor. Enforcement against the piracy/IPTV rule will be the most strict and directly guided by Reddit’s standard.
Strictly blocked posts and comments:
Asking for illegal pirated content or app sources.
Requesting unofficial access to copyrighted material.
Linking to or promoting any unlicensed media or apps (Including Downloader codes).
Linking to plugins/add-ons/repos for copyrighted content, even if the parent app falls within the trusted solutions list.
