I am unable to allow unknown programs to install on my tablet.

[Malkie Skye]

I purchased a tablet from Wish and I believe it is from China or something but when I tried installing Google Chrome, it gives me the warning that "unknown programs" are blocked and I click Settings but I can't find where I can ALLOW unknown programs to be allowed to install. I know it says Android 4.1.1 and model says SoftwinerEvb. I have tried and tried. Can someone please help me?

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Look in the Settings>Security menu for an option to allow apps from Unknown Sources.

 

[Malkie Skye]

I have checked in Security but all I see is Trusted Certificates but when I scroll down through it, I don't see anything like unknown or what the app is like chrome or whatever.

 

[B. Diddy]

It's possible the manufacturer locked the user out of that setting, forcing you to use some terrible 3rd party appstore based in China (since I assume that tablet doesn't have the Play Store).

 

[Malkie Skye]

Nope. No Play Store either. LOL Is there a different way to fix this issue?

 

[B. Diddy]

Probably not. Does the system settings menu have a search option? If so, search for "unknown." But since it's on 4.1.1, I doubt it has that feature. 4.1.1 is an pretty old version, so even if you were able to install apps, there's a good chance that a number of them won't be supported on that device. Sorry!

 

[Malkie Skye]

I didn't see a search section. Ugh. So I have basically spent money on this PoS for no reason huh? There's nothing I can do?

 

[B. Diddy]

Not really. Sorry, but these cheap no-name or off-brand devices direct from China are never a good deal. Their specs are usually subpar, and they often don't have access to the Play Store. I've never come across one that doesn't even allow you to install apps from Unknown Sources, but it isn't surprising.

The only thing I can suggest is to go through every inch of the system settings to see if you might have missed the Unknown Sources setting.

 

[Malkie Skye]

I've been messing with it since like 4 pm and it is currently now 1:30 am LOL I don't know how else to look, where to look or what to do. I am very disappointed. I even did a factory reset but it didn't do any different.

 

[B. Diddy]

What app store came with the device?

 

[Malkie Skye]

Honestly, I don't even see an App store program. Unless it's named something that I don't even recognize.

 

[B. Diddy]

Try opening any app that came with the device that you don't recognize.

 

[Malkie Skye]

Here's the extent of the apps that show up when I access what's here.

 

[B. Diddy]

I don't see any kind of app store there either. Did the device come with any kind of manual?

 

[Malkie Skye]

A little booklet that is about 5 pages lol And small.

 

[B. Diddy]

See if there's any mention there of where to install apps from.

 

[Malkie Skye]

I will.

 

[Malkie Skye]

Okay I read the very small manual from cover to cover. First off, on the very front it says "MID-android" - just for knowing value.

Secondly, here is the info it says about "Application Installation", word for word.

"Application installation.

Touch here -shows pic but it is so small I can't make out what it is- in the application list, it will install, upload the APK files automatically. It searches the APK file from /mnt/flash or /mnt/sdcard. Touch the selected APK application directly for installation and unloading."

That's all.

 

[B. Diddy]

MID simply means "mobile internet device." It's pretty outdated terminology.

The manual seems to suggest that you can install an app by downloading an .apk file and opening it. I suspect the icon is for the Downloads or File Manager app. But installing via .apk file is what the Unknown Sources option prevents, if it's turned off. So I think they messed up and left the Unknown Sources option turned off, then hid it from the user. Sorry, but I don't think there's much else you can do about it.

 

[Malkie Skye]

UGH!!!! That is is annoying and messed up!!