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Download F-Droid APK — Free, Safe and Official
You are in the right place to download the latest version of the F-Droid APK safely and for free. F-Droid is a free and open source app store for Android that gives you access to over 1,200 free Android apps with zero tracking, zero ads, and zero Google account required. Download it right now and get started in under 5 minutes.
- Official and Verified Download
- Free Forever — No Hidden Costs
- No Google Account Required
- Works on Android 6.0 and Above
- Independently Security Audited
- App Name: F-Droid
- Current Version: 1.20.0
- File Size: 12.2 MB
- Last Updated: 2025
- License: Free and Open Source
- Requires Android: 6.0 and Above
- Verified Safe: Yes
Is F-Droid APK Download Safe?
Before downloading any APK file from the internet, every new user asks this first question. The F-Droid APK download is safe, so the answer is definitely yes. Here’s why you can have total faith in this download.
- Always Download From the Official Source The most important rule when downloading the F-Droid APK is to always download it exclusively from the official f-droid.org website or trusted sources like ours that link directly to the official download. Never download the F-Droid APK from unknown third party websites, APK mirror sites, or any source you do not fully trust. Fake and modified versions of the F-Droid APK do exist on the internet and can contain malware or spyware that can seriously harm your Android device.
- The F-Droid APK is PGP Signed Every official F-Droid APK release is signed with a PGP cryptographic signature by the F-Droid team. This means you can independently verify that the APK you downloaded is genuine, has not been tampered with, and is exactly what the F-Droid team intended to release. This level of cryptographic verification is extremely rare among Android app stores and is one of the many reasons F-Droid is considered one of the safest app stores available for Android today.
- Independently Security Audited The F-Droid app and its entire download and distribution process has been independently security audited three times by Cure53 and Radically Open Security — two of the world's most respected cybersecurity firms. Every audit confirmed that the F-Droid download and distribution process is completely secure and trustworthy for everyday Android users worldwide.
Never use APKPure, APKMirror, or any other unofficial third-party APK download site to obtain the F-Droid APK. These websites cannot guarantee that their APK downloads have not been altered or tampered with in any way because they are not connected to the official F-Droid project.
F-Droid APK System Requirements
Make sure your Android device satisfies the minimal system requirements before downloading the F-Droid APK. F-Droid is made to function on a very broad variety of Android devices, including lower-end and older models that are no longer supported by many other app shops.
Requirements Table:
| Requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Android Version | Android 1.5 | Android 6.0 and Above |
| Storage Space | 12 MB for APK | 100 MB for Apps |
| Internet Connection | Required for Download | WiFi Recommended |
| Google Account | Not Required | Not Required |
| Root Access | Not Required | Not Required |
| Google Play Services | Not Required | Not Required |
Android Version Compatibility Table:
| Android Version | F-Droid Version |
|---|---|
| Android 6.0 and Above | Latest Stable Version |
| Android 5.1 | F-Droid 1.15.6 |
| Android 4.0 to 5.0 | F-Droid 1.12.1 |
| Android 2.3.3 to 3.2 | F-Droid 1.2.2 |
| Android 2.2 to 2.3.2 | F-Droid 0.100.1 |
| Android 1.5 to 2.1 | F-Droid 0.91 |
Compatible Devices: F-Droid is compatible with all Android smartphones, Android tablets, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Android TV devices, Chromebooks with Android support, and any other device running a compatible version of the Android operating system.
Note: If you are running Android 5.1 or older you will need to download a specific older version of the F-Droid APK that is compatible with your Android version. Our complete guide covers every supported Android version with direct download links for each one.
How to Install F-Droid APK on Android?
It takes fewer than five minutes to complete the easy and uncomplicated procedure of installing the F-Droid APK on your Android device. You can quickly install F-Droid on your Android device by carefully following these step-by-step instructions.
- Step 1: Download the Official F-Droid APK Tap the download button at the top of this page to download the latest official F-Droid APK file directly to your Android device. Make sure you are connected to a stable internet connection before starting the download. The file size is approximately 12 MB and should download in under one minute on a standard internet connection.
- Step 2: Enable Installation From Unknown Sources Before you can install the F-Droid APK you need to allow your Android device to install apps from sources other than Google Play. Go to your Android Settings, tap Security or Privacy depending on your Android version, and enable the Unknown Sources or Install Unknown Apps option. This is completely safe to do for the official F-Droid APK download.
- Step 3: Open and Install the F-Droid APK Once the download is complete open your Android notification bar and tap the downloaded F-Droid APK file. Android will display an installation confirmation screen showing you the app name and permissions. Tap Install and wait for the installation to complete — this usually takes less than 30 seconds on any Android device.
- Step 4: Open F-Droid and Sync the Repository Once the installation is complete tap Open to launch the F-Droid app for the first time. F-Droid will automatically begin syncing its repository on first launch — this process downloads the complete list of available apps and may take between 2 to 5 minutes depending on the speed of your internet connection. Wait for the sync to complete before searching for apps.
- Step 5: Allow F-Droid to Install Apps After the repository sync is complete Android will ask you to allow F-Droid to install apps from unknown sources. Tap Settings and enable the Allow From This Source option for F-Droid specifically. This allows F-Droid to install and update apps on your Android device automatically without requiring you to manually approve every single installation.
Important Note: After completing the F-Droid installation you can optionally disable the Unknown Sources permission for your internet browser and file manager for extra security. F-Droid will still be able to install and update all apps normally with its own specific unknown sources permission enabled.
5 Different Ways to Install the F-Droid App
There are five different methods to install the F-Droid app on your Android device. Most users should use Method 1 as it is the quickest and easiest option. The other methods are available for advanced users and specific use cases.
Method 1:
APK Download — Recommended for Most Users
The easiest and most recommended way to install F-Droid is by downloading the official F-Droid APK directly from the official website. This method works on any Android device running Android 6.0 or above, requires no technical knowledge, and takes less than 5 minutes to complete from start to finish.
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Fix Time: 5 Minutes
Method 2:
Buy a Phone With F-Droid Pre-Installed
F-Droid is pre-installed on Android phones from a number of privacy-focused manufacturers, such as CalyxOS, Volla, and ShiftOS-Light. For consumers who want F-Droid ready to use on a brand-new privacy-focused Android device without any setup needed, this is the most practical choice.
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Fix Time: No Setup Required
Method 3:
Install a Custom ROM With F-Droid Built In
Several popular custom Android ROMs including CalyxOS and LineageOS for MicroG come with F-Droid built directly into the operating system. This method gives F-Droid system level privileges on your Android device — allowing it to install and update apps automatically without any manual confirmation required.
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Fix Time: Varies
Method 4:
Flash F-Droid Privileged Extension OTA
If you are running Android 11 or older and want to give F-Droid system level privileges without flashing a custom ROM, you can flash the F-Droid Privileged Extension OTA package using your device recovery. This method is only supported on Android 11 and older as it is not needed or supported on Android 12 and above.
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Fix Time: 20 Minutes
Method 5:
Install F-Droid Using ADB
The most complex way to install F-Droid is through Android Debug Bridge, which is only advised for developers and power users. This is the safest way to install F-Droid without touching the screen of your Android device, and it works even if Google Advanced Protection Program is turned on.
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Fix Time: 20 Minutes
How to Install F-Droid App on Different Devices
Android devices are not the only ones that can use the F-Droid app. F-Droid can be installed on a variety of Android-powered devices. This is a comprehensive guide explaining how to install F-Droid on all compatible devices, along with an estimated time and degree of difficulty for each.
Device 1: Android Phone
Installing F-Droid on an Android smartphone is the easiest and most straightforward method available. Simply download the official F-Droid APK from the official website, enable installation from unknown sources in your Android settings, and tap install. The entire process takes less than 5 minutes and works perfectly on any Android smartphone running Android 6.0 or above.
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Fix Time: 5 Minutes
Device 2: Amazon Fire TV Stick
You can install the F-Droid app on any Amazon Fire TV Stick model by enabling apps from unknown sources in the Fire TV settings and using the Downloader app to download the official F-Droid APK directly onto your Fire TV Stick. Once installed, F-Droid gives you access to hundreds of free open source apps specifically designed for Android TV devices.
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Fix Time: 10 Minutes
Device 3: Android TV
Any Android TV device, such as the Xiaomi Mi Box, Nvidia Shield, and other well-known Android TV boxes, can have F-Droid loaded. The official F-Droid APK must be sideloaded onto your Android TV device using either ADB or a file manager program. With complete remote control navigation functionality, F-Droid functions flawlessly on Android TV after installation.
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Fix Time: 10 Minutes
Device 4: Chromebook
Installing F-Droid on a Chromebook requires enabling the Linux development environment in Chrome OS settings first. Once Linux is enabled you can install the F-Droid APK through the Android app subsystem that is built into Chrome OS on all supported Chromebook models. This method works on any Chromebook that supports Android apps.
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Fix Time: 15 Minutes
Device 5: Old Android Devices
F-Droid is one of the most compatible app shops for older Android devices because it supports very old Android versions, all the way back to Android 1.5. You will need to download an earlier version of the F-Droid APK that is completely compatible with your specific Android version if you are running Android 5.1 or lower.
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Fix Time: 10 Minutes
Device 6: Using ADB
Installing F-Droid via ADB is the most advanced installation method and is recommended for developers and power users only. This method works even when Google Advanced Protection Program is enabled on your device and gives you complete control over the entire F-Droid installation process from your computer.
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Fix Time: 20 Minutes
How to Verify Your F-Droid APK Download
Verifying your F-Droid APK download is an optional but highly recommended step — especially for security conscious users. Verification confirms that the APK file you downloaded is genuine, has not been tampered with, and is exactly what the official F-Droid team released. Here is how to verify your F-Droid APK download in simple steps.
Why Verification Matters
When you download any APK file from the internet there is always a small risk that the file could have been modified or tampered with between the official release and your download. APK verification uses cryptographic signatures to completely eliminate this risk. If the verification passes successfully you can be 100% confident that your F-Droid APK is genuine and completely safe to install on your Android device.
What You Need to Verify
You need two files from the official F-Droid website in order to validate your F-Droid APK download. The F-Droid APK file, which you have previously downloaded, is the first file. The F-Droid APK signature file, which has the file extension, is the second file.asc and may be downloaded from the same page as the primary F-Droid APK file.
Step by Step Verification Process
- Step 1: Download both the F-Droid APK file and the F-Droid APK signature file from the official f-droid.org website to your computer.
- Step 2: Load the official F-Droid public key for admin@f-droid.org from the Ubuntu keyserver using the GPG command on your Linux or Mac computer.
- Step 3: Run the GPG verify command on your computer pointing to both the signature file and the APK file to check whether the signature is valid and genuine.
- Step 4: Check the output of the verification command for a message that says Good Signature from F-Droid admin@f-droid.org — this confirms your download is genuine.
- Step 5: Confirm that the primary key fingerprint in the verification output matches the official F-Droid fingerprint which is 37D2 C987 89D8 3119 4839 4E3E 41E7 044E 1DBA 2E89 exactly.
Important Note: If the GPG verification output shows a warning saying the key is not certified with a trusted signature this is completely normal and can be safely ignored. The most important thing to look for is the Good Signature message and the matching primary key fingerprint — these two things together confirm your F-Droid APK download is completely genuine and safe to install.
What to Do After Installing the F-Droid App
Congratulations! Your Android smartphone has successfully installed the F-Droid app. Here are the most crucial initial actions to do when installing and using F-Droid in order to get the most out of your new open-source app store from the start.
- Step 1: Wait for the Repository to Sync The very first thing F-Droid does when you open it for the first time is sync its repository — downloading the complete list of all available apps to your device. This initial sync may take between 2 to 5 minutes depending on your internet connection speed. Wait for the sync to complete fully before searching for or installing any apps.
- Step 2: Add Trusted Third Party Repositories Once the initial repository sync is complete, the next step is to add trusted third party repositories to significantly expand your available app selection. We strongly recommend adding IzzyOnDroid which adds over 700 additional free apps, and Guardian Project which adds essential privacy and security tools like Tor Browser and Orbot to your F-Droid library.
- Step 3: Install Your First F-Droid Apps Now that your repositories are set up it is time to install your first apps. If you are not sure where to start we recommend checking our complete list of the best F-Droid apps — a handpicked selection of the most popular, highest rated, and most useful free and open source apps available on F-Droid organized by category.
- Step 4: Enable Automatic Updates Open F-Droid settings and enable automatic update notifications to make sure you are always running the latest and most secure version of every app you install. F-Droid will automatically check for updates in the background and notify you whenever a new version of any installed app becomes available.
- Step 5: Explore F-Droid Nearby F-Droid Nearby is one of the most unique and powerful features of the F-Droid app. It allows you to share and install apps between two Android devices using WiFi or Bluetooth without any internet connection required. Open the F-Droid app, tap the Nearby tab, and follow the on screen instructions to start sharing apps wirelessly with other F-Droid users near you.
F-Droid APK Download and Installation Problems — Fixed
Having trouble downloading or installing the F-Droid APK on your Android device? Here are the most common problems users face during the F-Droid download and installation process — with simple and straightforward solutions for each one.
Problem 1:
F-Droid APK Won't Download
A sluggish or erratic internet connection is most likely the culprit if the F-Droid APK download on your Android smartphone keeps failing or getting stuck. Try the download again after switching from mobile data to a WiFi connection. Try deleting your browser’s cache and cookies if the issue continues, then try downloading from the official source once more.
- Fix Time: 2 Minutes
Problem 2:
F-Droid APK Won't Install
If the F-Droid APK downloads successfully but refuses to install on your Android device, the most common cause is that installation from unknown sources has not been enabled in your Android settings. Go to Settings, tap Security or Privacy, and enable the Unknown Sources or Install Unknown Apps option for your browser or file manager app then try the installation again.
- Fix Time: 2 Minutes
Problem 3:
Installation Blocked by Google Play Protect
To continue with the installation, select More Details and then Install Anyway if Google Play Protect is preventing the F-Droid APK installation and displaying a warning message. This warning, which Google Play Protect displays for all APK files installed outside of Google Play, does not imply that the F-Droid APK is dangerous or dangerous in any manner.
- Fix Time: 1 Minute
Problem 4:
F-Droid Install Button is Greyed Out
If the install button appears greyed out and unresponsive after opening the F-Droid APK file, you most likely have a screen overlay app running on your Android device such as Twilight, a blue light filter, or a floating app. Android automatically disables the install button when any screen overlay app is active for security reasons. Disable all overlay apps temporarily and try the installation again.
- Fix Time: 3 Minutes
Problem 5:
F-Droid Not Opening After Installation
If F-Droid installs successfully but crashes or refuses to open on your Android device, try restarting your device completely and then opening F-Droid again. If the problem persists uninstall F-Droid completely, restart your device, and then reinstall the latest version of the official F-Droid APK from the official source again.
- Fix Time: 5 Minutes
Problem 5:
F-Droid Repository Not Syncing on First Launch
Make sure your Android device has a functional internet connection if F-Droid opens properly but the repository sync fails or becomes stuck on the first start. Go to F-Droid Settings, select Repositories, disable the primary F-Droid repository, wait ten seconds, and then enable it again to force a new repository sync if your internet connection is functioning properly.
- Fix Time: 5 Minutes
Download Older Versions of the F-Droid APK
If you are running an older version of Android on your device, you will need to download a specific older version of the F-Droid APK that is compatible with your Android version. Here is a complete guide to downloading the correct version of F-Droid for every supported Android version.
Why Older Versions Exist
F-Droid has always been committed to supporting as many Android devices as possible — including very old devices that other app stores stopped supporting years ago. The F-Droid team maintains older versions of the F-Droid APK specifically so that users with older Android devices can still access free and open source apps without needing to upgrade their device or purchase a new smartphone.
Android Version Compatibility Table:
| Android Version | API Level | F-Droid Version to Download |
|---|---|---|
| Android 6.0 and Above | API 23+ | Latest Stable Version |
| Android 5.1 | API 22 | F-Droid 1.15.6 |
| Android 4.0 to 5.0 | API 14 to 21 | F-Droid 1.12.1 |
| Android 2.3.3 to 3.2 | API 10 to 13 | F-Droid 1.2.2 |
| Android 2.2 to 2.3.2 | API 8 to 9 | F-Droid 0.100.1 |
| Android 2.1 | API 7 | F-Droid 0.91 |
| Android 2.0 to 2.0.1 | API 5 to 6 | F-Droid 0.69 |
| Android 1.6 | API 4 | F-Droid 0.56 |
| Android 1.5 | API 3 | F-Droid 0.45 |
Important Note About Old Android Versions
If you are running Android 5.1 or older, the first issue you may encounter after installing an older version of F-Droid is a certificate related error. This is caused by an expired Let’s Encrypt certificate on older Android versions. To fix this issue you need to manually install the Let’s Encrypt ISRG Root X1 certificate on your device before using F-Droid. Our complete guide for old Android devices covers this fix in full detail.
F-Droid Archive Repository
We highly advise turning on the F-Droid Archive repository in your F-Droid settings if you are using an older version of F-Droid and a lot of apps seem to be unavailable or incompatible with your device. Your choice of apps for older devices can be greatly increased by using the Archive repository, which has older versions of programs that are still compatible with previous Android versions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Downloading F-Droid
Here are the most commonly asked questions about downloading and installing the F-Droid APK — answered simply and honestly in plain English for complete beginners.
Q1: Where can I download F-Droid safely?
You can download the official and verified F-Droid APK safely from the official f-droid.org website or directly from this page which links exclusively to the official F-Droid download. Never download the F-Droid APK from any unofficial third party website or APK mirror site.
Q2: Is the F-Droid APK safe to download?
Yes, the official F-Droid APK is completely safe to download and install. Every F-Droid APK release is PGP signed by the F-Droid team and the entire platform has been independently security audited three times by Cure53 and Radically Open Security — two of the world's most respected cybersecurity firms.
Q3: How do I install F-Droid on Android?
Download the official F-Droid APK, enable installation from unknown sources in your Android settings, open the downloaded APK file, and tap Install. The entire process takes less than 5 minutes and works on any Android device running Android 6.0 or above without any technical knowledge required.
Q4: What Android version does F-Droid require?
F-Droid officially supports Android 6.0 and above with the latest stable version. However F-Droid also supports much older Android versions going all the way back to Android 1.5 through specific older versions of the F-Droid APK that are available for download separately.
Q5: How do I update F-Droid?
F-Droid updates itself automatically when a new version is available. Simply open the F-Droid app and it will notify you when an update for the F-Droid app itself is available. Tap the update notification and follow the on screen instructions to install the latest version of F-Droid on your Android device.
Q6: Can I download F-Droid on iPhone?
No, F-Droid is not available for iPhone or any iOS device. F-Droid is exclusively designed for Android devices and cannot be installed on iPhone, iPad, or any other Apple device running iOS due to fundamental differences between the Android and iOS operating systems.
Q7: What is the latest version of F-Droid?
The latest stable version of the F-Droid app is version 1.20.0. This version supports Android 6.0 and above and includes all the latest security improvements, bug fixes, and feature updates from the F-Droid development team. We update this information regularly to ensure it is always accurate and up to date.
Q8: How do I verify my F-Droid download?
You can verify your F-Droid APK download by downloading the official PGP signature file from the f-droid.org website and running a GPG verification command on your computer. A successful verification will show a Good Signature message from admin@f-droid.org confirming your download is genuine and has not been tampered with.