Android Authority Guide Explains Sideloading and Updating Kvaesitso Outside Google Play

The guide says free and open-source software developers often skip the Play Store to avoid listing fees, reviews, and policy requirements, and that distributing through GitHub and F-Droid is more straightforward. The trade-off is that installing Kvaesitso takes extra steps, though the initial setup is described as a one-time process.

Android Authority describes two main installation paths. Users can open a browser on their phone and go to Kvaesitso's GitHub page, scroll to the Releases section, tap the latest version, download the launcher APK under Assets, and open the file to install it. First-time sideloaders must give the browser permission to install unknown apps. The guide also points to Settings and Security and privacy, saying a setting there blocks sideloading and must be turned off before any APK can be installed. Alternatively, users who already have F-Droid can download Kvaesitso directly from that store, which hosts free and open-source apps. Those who do not have F-Droid must first download it from GitHub and sideload it.

After installation, the report says users need to set Kvaesitso as the default launcher by going to Settings, Apps, Default apps, and Home app, then selecting Kvaesitso. Returning to the home screen brings up the new launcher.

Keeping the launcher updated requires more work because Kvaesitso has no built-in option to check for updates, according to Android Authority. Users who installed it through F-Droid can search for the app and tap Update, or enable automatic updates in F-Droid's settings so that all apps installed through F-Droid update automatically. The guide says Obtainium is a better option for users who do not want to install F-Droid solely to update Kvaesitso. Obtainium is a free and open-source app that updates sideloaded apps by checking for new versions at the source.

Android Authority says Obtainium offers two advantages over F-Droid. It can deliver updates without delay, sometimes before they appear on F-Droid, because it pulls them directly from the source. It can also track APKs sideloaded from different places and update them from one place. The setup involves installing Obtainium from GitHub or F-Droid, opening it, tapping Add, and pasting Kvaesitso's GitHub or F-Droid URL from the same source originally used to install the launcher. The guide warns that the URL matters because an app's digital signature can vary by source, and the wrong link may prevent updates from working. Obtainium also offers optional toggles for installing prereleases or skipping update notifications, and it checks for updates every six hours.

Despite the extra effort, the report says Kvaesitso is worth it. Its standout feature is the search bar, which can search apps and contacts as well as Wikipedia, YouTube, Maps, and the Play Store. It can also set alarms and reminders, according to Android Authority.