Sideloaded apps do not check for updates the way Play Store apps do. That is the price of installing from an open-source repo, an APK archive, or a developer’s GitHub release. Pixel users who run a stack of open-source apps deal with this every week: a tracker stops working, a feature appears in a new release, and you need to know about it before the old build breaks.
We tested six apps that handle the update problem for sideloaded software. Some watch GitHub releases. Some mirror F-Droid and add a friendlier interface. One pulls anonymous APKs from Google Play. Pick the right pair and you will not miss a release again.
What to look for in an APK update tracker
A few things matter before you pick:
- Sources. Does it watch GitHub, F-Droid, GitLab, IzzyOnDroid, an APK archive, or all of them?
- Background work. Does it actually run in the background reliably on Android 14 and 15?
- Auto-install. Some apps need your tap on each install; others install silently with Shizuku.
- Signature checks. The app should refuse to install a downgrade or a re-signed APK.
- Notification noise. A daily check is fine; a per-app push every hour is not.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Sources | Auto-install | Open source | Free |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APKMirror Installer | Trusted APK archive | APKMirror | Manual or Shizuku | No | Yes |
| Obtainium | GitHub and direct sources | GitHub, GitLab, F-Droid, IzzyOnDroid, websites | Manual or Shizuku | Yes | Yes |
| F-Droid | Open-source apps | F-Droid index | Manual | Yes | Yes |
| Aurora Store | Google Play apps anonymously | Google Play | Manual | Yes | Yes |
| Droid-ify | Modern F-Droid client | F-Droid plus custom repos | Manual or Shizuku | Yes | Yes |
| Neo Store | Power-user F-Droid client | F-Droid plus custom repos | Manual or Shizuku | Yes | Yes |
The apps
1. APKMirror Installer — Best for trusted APK archive
APKMirror Installer is the official installer from APKMirror, the long-running repository of split APKs and APK bundles. The app verifies signatures against the original developer’s certificate, supports the bundle (APKM and XAPK) format directly, and runs a watchlist that pings you when a tracked app gets a new release on APKMirror.
Where it falls short: it covers APKMirror only, so anything not mirrored there is out of scope. The free tier shows ads in some places.
Pricing:
- Free: every feature, ads in browse
- Paid: optional ad-free upgrade
Platforms: Android
Bottom line: the right pick for anyone whose sideloads come from APKMirror.
2. Obtainium — Best for GitHub and direct sources
Obtainium watches release feeds for app sources you choose: GitHub releases, GitLab tags, F-Droid index entries, IzzyOnDroid, and even raw download URLs from a developer’s site. It picks the right APK by architecture, verifies signatures against the previous install, and notifies you when a new release lands. Shizuku integration unlocks silent installs.
Where it falls short: the source list takes setup. You add each app’s source URL the first time; the time investment pays off after the first dozen.
Pricing:
- Free: every feature, no ads
Platforms: Android
Bottom line: the only tracker that follows apps wherever the developer publishes them.
3. F-Droid — Best open-source app store
F-Droid is the foundational open-source app catalogue. The official client checks for updates on a schedule, downloads the new build from the F-Droid mirror nearest you, and surfaces the changelog in plain text. Repositories beyond the main one (IzzyOnDroid, Guardian Project, NewPipe’s repo) extend coverage to apps that the main F-Droid index does not carry.
Where it falls short: the F-Droid build of an app is sometimes a release behind the developer’s own release. UI navigation feels dated next to the modern clients on this list.
Pricing:
- Free: every feature, no ads
Platforms: Android
Bottom line: the baseline every sideloader installs first.
4. Aurora Store — Best for Google Play apps without an account
Aurora Store pulls APKs and updates directly from Google Play using shared anonymous accounts. The update checker runs in the background, the result installs via the system installer, and Shizuku integration enables silent updates. Filters cover device variant, language, and architecture.
Where it falls short: anonymous accounts are sometimes rate-limited, requiring a workaround with your own Google account. Apps that depend on Play Services for licence checks may misbehave.
Pricing:
- Free: every feature, no ads
Platforms: Android
Bottom line: the right pick for tracking updates on Google Play apps without a Google account.
5. Droid-ify — Best modern F-Droid client
Droid-ify is a third-party F-Droid client with Material You theming and faster update checks than the official app. The repo list supports IzzyOnDroid and other community repos out of the box, the update check runs as a foreground service so it survives Android’s background limits, and Shizuku integration is a one-tap toggle.
Where it falls short: it depends on F-Droid index data, so anything not indexed there is invisible. Some power-user settings are nested deeper than Neo Store hides them.
Pricing:
- Free: every feature, no ads
Platforms: Android
Bottom line: the friendliest replacement for the official F-Droid client.
6. Neo Store — Best power-user F-Droid client
Neo Store is another open-source F-Droid client, weighted toward power users. The settings expose every part of the install flow: repo signature verification, install method, parallel downloads, and dependency handling. The repository manager handles arbitrary repos including third-party security mirrors.
Where it falls short: the depth of settings is also the cost; new sideloaders will tap through unfamiliar options. The visuals trail Droid-ify in polish.
Pricing:
- Free: every feature, no ads
Platforms: Android
Bottom line: the client to run if you want to see exactly what every install does.
How to pick the right one
For most sideloaders, the right pair is Obtainium plus one F-Droid client. Obtainium watches the sources that F-Droid does not (GitHub, GitLab, the developer’s own site), and the F-Droid client handles the open-source apps that appear there. Droid-ify is the friendlier client; Neo Store is the power-user one.
If your sideloads come from APKMirror more than anywhere else, install APKMirror Installer and use its watchlist. It is the only app on this list that verifies APKMirror bundles natively.
If you need Google Play apps without a Google account, Aurora Store handles those updates. Pair Aurora with Obtainium and you cover both proprietary and open-source apps from a single pair.
A practical stack: Obtainium plus Droid-ify plus Aurora Store. Add APKMirror Installer if you also mirror the archive. Add Neo Store instead of Droid-ify if you want fine-grained control.
FAQ
Why do sideloaded apps not update automatically?
The Google Play update service only handles apps installed through Play. Sideloaded apps need a separate watcher to know when the developer releases a new version.
Is sideloading safe on a Pixel?
Yes, if you stick to trusted sources (F-Droid, IzzyOnDroid, the developer’s own GitHub, APKMirror). All six apps on this list verify signatures before installing.
Do I need Shizuku for these apps?
No. Every app on this list works without Shizuku. Shizuku enables silent updates without tapping each install dialog; it is a nice convenience, not a requirement.
Can these apps replace the Play Store?
For open-source apps and direct-source apps, yes. For proprietary apps that depend on Play Services for licensing or in-app purchases, the Play Store usually remains the best option.
Which app should I install first?
Obtainium. It covers the widest range of sources and is the most flexible if you only have time for one tracker.
