How to install Amazon Appstore on your Android device

How to install Amazon Appstore on your Android device

Even if you don't have a Kindle Fire, you can take advantage of Amazon's app deals and giveaways. Here's how.

For a limited time, Amazon is giving away 31 Android apps that have a combined value of over $100. And that's on top of the company's daily freebie app.

This being Amazon, though, you no doubt need an Amazon product -- Kindle Fire tablet, Fire Phone, etc. -- to take advantage of these offers, right?

Wrong! Android apps are Android apps, and you can access the Amazon Appstore via pretty much any Android-powered device. It just requires a little tweaking. Here's how (on a device running Android 4.4 -- the process is virtually identical in earlier versions):

Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNET

Step 1: On your phone or tablet, tap Settings > Security. Scroll down to "Unknown sources" and tap the check box to enable this feature. (The "unknown source" in this case is the Amazon Appstore.)

Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNET

Step 2: Fire up your mobile browser and head to www.amazon.com/getappstore. Tap the button labeled Download the Amazon Appstore. This will download (but not install) an APK file.

Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNET

Step 3: Once the download is complete, swipe down from the top of the screen to open your notifications view, then tap the Amazon Appstore entry to start the installation. Agree to the conditions by tapping Next or Install (whichever appears).