Ever built something only to realize the so-called “easy” part was actually the most annoying? A couple of years ago, I built an app to complement a physical safe space—an initiative made possible through collective economics.
Simple enough, right? Build an app, put it on the Apple Store and Google Play, and call it a day. Oh, how naive I was.
Submitting an app to these stores is a headache I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Between Apple’s labyrinth of requirements, the fees (Google’s not as bad as Apple, but still!), and the endless image dimension requirements, I quickly realized the process was more tedious than actually building the app. Nobody warns you about this part!
But here’s the bright side—I learned about APKs, and let me tell you, they are a game-changer.
What’s an APK?
APK stands for Android Package Kit. It’s the file format that Android uses to distribute and install apps. Think of it like a .zip file but specifically for Android applications. Instead of downloading an app from the Play Store, you can install an APK directly on your device—no middleman required.
Why Does This Matter More Than Ever?
We’re living in a time where digital privacy concerns, cybersecurity threats, and corporate monopolies are at an all-time high. More and more consumers (and creators) are looking for standalone products that don’t rely on Big Tech platforms. If you’re tired of Google and Apple deciding what’s available to you, APKs give you a direct path to the software you want—no gatekeepers, no censorship.
Why I Stopped Developing the App
Here’s the truth—people weren’t ready. Despite the community insisting they wanted an app, their attention spans were too short, and they couldn’t pull themselves away from the big platforms. Traction died. But you know what? I was satisfied. Not only did I learn something new, but I proved to myself that I could do it. And because I did it years ago, I can quickly do it again if needed. Maybe now, people are finally ready.
A Word to Developers (and Consumers)
Here’s the thing: small developers have options, but the general public needs to be educated—and also, they need to step out of their comfort zones. If people want to complain about capitalism and digital monopolies, then they need to stop expecting independent developers to provide the same level of convenience that giant platforms do. You want freedom? That means a little extra effort on your part.
What I Did (and What I’d Do Differently)
I did submit my app to Google Play, and it got accepted. But for my iPhone-using community members? They had to download it via APK. And if I were to do it again, I’d skip the app stores entirely and go straight for APKs—or better yet, what I use now: Progressive Web Apps (PWAs).
Moral of the story? There’s always another way. You just have to be willing to take it.
Thinking of building something outside the mainstream? Need help navigating the madness of app distribution?