One of the obvious benefits of the Android platform is its openness. Android is, therefore, ideal for dipping your toe into the “app” world.

Here’s the method I use to install an app on an Android phone without going through the hassle of having to publish it on Google’s Play Store:

1. Goto Settings → Applications and tick Unknown Sources so that any applications can be installed, rather than just ones from the Google app store.
2. Plug in phone and set it to USB storage mode (mount as a disk drive) so that you can view the device’s SD Card as a disk drive.
3. Copy your application file (.apk) to the phone and note the location.
4. Disconnect the phone.
5. Use a File Manager app to find the file and install your .apk file.