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Wanting to add “non-Google Play” Android Apps to the Epic? Find out how, here.
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Leapfrog
When we first fell in love with the LeapFrog Epic, I shared with you How To Add Android Apps To The Leapfrog Epic via the Amazon App Store. It takes a few steps but is possible. The Epic is an Android device and was designed to accept Android apps. However, it DOES NOT come with Google Play.
That is the number one Epic question I am asked: Can Google Play be downloaded to the unit? From what I understand, Google Play itself can not be downloaded to any device it did not come pre-loaded on. HOWEVER, my determination to add a few apps found on Google Play to the Epic for my son led me to a way to download the apps I wanted sans Google Play. By downloading an app’s APK (Android Application Package) file, you are able to directly download the apps you desire and bypass Google Play. Downloading an app via it’s APK file can actually be better than through Google Play. Just BE SURE YOU are downloading legitimate apps from a trusted site. (My resaerch suggests APKMirror.com as one of the safest APK sites. This is the one I use but do your own research and use at your own risk).
The number two question I am asked is: Can YouTube/ YouTube Kids be downloaded to the unit? I have been unsuccessful in doing so. Since YouTube is owned by Google, it appears you need “Google Play services” to run the app. However, you *might* be able to allow access to YouTube, YouTube Kids or any website via parental controls. Your child will then be able to access the approved website through the “LeapSearch” app pre-installed on the device.
NOTE: I have not yet figured out how to get Pokemon Go working on the Epic. I have successfully downloaded the app, but the app needs GPS to function. I haven’t been able to get a GPS app to work with the Epic yet.
serr
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To add Google Play apps to your LeapFrog Epic, follow the steps below:
(To add “non-Google Play” apps, click here.)
**4 The Love Of Family, nor it’s writers assume responsibility for viruses, damage, or loss of data to your mobile device. Follow the below steps at your own risk.**
STEP 1: Access the parent screen.
Power on the Epic & Tap the “parents” icon circle in the top right corner of the opening screen w/o logging into an account.
Enter the parental lock code you set up as prompted.
STEP 2: Allow the device to install apps from unknown sources.
Tap the “Device: Settings & Accounts” circle to the top right of the icons
Click “Device Settings” and then “Security”.
Tap the box to the right of the bottom option, “Unknown Sources” .
A “WARNING” box will pop up notifying you allowing content from unknown sources makes your tablet more vulnerable. Tap “Okay” if you wish to continue.
Tap the ‘back arrow’ at the very bottom of the screen on the left side TWICE.
STEP 3: Installing The Apps.
Tap “App Center” at the bottom of the list (If the Epic is not showing the App Center as available, you likely need to update the tablet’s firmware. Install the latest update through “System Updates” and return to this step).
Tap “Other” under “LeapFrog App Center”
A “WARNING” box will pop up. Read and tap “continue” if you would still like to proceed.
A second “WARNING” box may pop up notifying you the browser you are bringing up is an open browser. Read and tap “continue” if you would still like to proceed.
Once the internet browser opens, go to APKMirror.com or your APK download site of choice.
Use the search option on the website to find the app you want (ie: “FIFA Soccer”).
Click the app you want and download to the Epic.
When the app is finished downloading, tap the app to open from download list. (If the screen listing the app does not appear, tap through “App Manager” on the main Parent’s page).
An “Install Blocked” box may pop up notifying you the tablet is set up to block content from unknown sources. See step 2 above.
A box will pop up asking if you would like to install the app. Read and tap “next” and then “install” if you would still like to proceed.
Once install is complete, an “App Installed” box will pop up. Click “open” to open the app.
STEP 4: Re-block installation of apps from unknown sources.
Re-open the parent’s screen.
Tap the “Device: Settings & Accounts” circle to the top right of the icons
Click “Device Settings” and then “Security”.
Tap the box to the right of the bottom option, “Unknown Sources”, removing the checkmark and permissions.
Your app should be installed and ready to play!
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Leapfrog has further taken the lead in child tablets and truly created an Epic device. Think “learning tablet meets Android device”. It’s an Andriod based tablet that grows with your child and it’s the first tablet that has everything I want for my older child.
The recommended ages for the LeapFrog Epic are 3-9 years. However, I find it perfect for my 10 year old. It’s the ONLY tablet I’ve found that offers my son the games he wants and the online security I want. Rather than handing over a phone or offering an ipod type device, he has his own device with what we both want:
Disclosure: 4 The Love Of Family, nor it’s writers assume responsiblity for damage, loss of data, or viruses to your mobile device. Follow the above steps at your own risk. As a LeapFrog Mom Ambassador, I receive products, promotional items, and educational materials to use as I see fit. All opinions expressed above are those of the writer and are in no way influenced by companies or brands mentioned within. LeaFrog logo and images are owned and copyrighted by them. All rights and credit belong to them on original images used within. Post and page may contain affiliate links and advertising. Thank you for clicking through them! It helps keep 4 The Love Of Family here for you 
Adding Google Play Apps To The Leapfrog Epic
When I click to open the app it gives me an error saying I need google play to open this app. Any idea how to get around this?
What app are you trying to download/ open?
YouTube kids. I followed the instructions above but it still says I need google play. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
YouTube and YouTube kids are owned by Goggle and cannot be used w/o Google Play. The only way around this is to allow access to YouTubeKids.com through wi-fi and use directly from the website. Sorry!
I see where I misunderstood when it was explained up top. Thanks so much for the help!
It is possible to run YouTube Kids through Play Services Patcher, but while the patched app does work on my Epic I cannot guarantee that it is stable as intended.
I won’t provide a link to the tool, but there’s a thread over at Crackberry regarding the patcher in question.
The google app on apkmirror is asking me to indicate a specific variant to install. I have tried a few unsuccessfully so far. I did determine the epic is version 4.4.2, dpi is 160, and arch is armv71. I am ultimately trying to accomplish getting the ability to search the web by voice command (get the microphone button on the keyboard) so my 6-yr-old can search his sports highlights on his own. Thank you!! I don’t really know what I’m doing…
Any luck yet? If not, I can check into it for you ?
I have been looking for the same work around regarding the mic, any luck?
NOne here. SOrry!
I’m trying to get our digital versions of movies on the epic. I’m trying to get the “Disney Movies Anywhere” app which I think needs google play so I went to the APK and searched Disney Movies Anywhere and i can’t find it. Do I have to download the google play from the APk first? Also trying to get iTunes to watch other digital movies? Is any of this possible on the epic? I always buy the blu-ray/DVD/digital copy combo of movies but have never been able to figure it the digital copies. thank you!
I apologize for the delay in responding! Search the web for “Disney Movies Anywhere apk”. It may just be that APKMirror doesn’t have it on there site. You shouldn’t need Google Play to run it.
I didn’t think iTunes could be added to an Android device, but according to my web search, it can. Again, search the web for “itunes android apk” and see if any of that works.
Let me know how it goes! 🙂
I’m trying to give access to the You Tube Kids website and when he trys to access the site it asks us to download the app. We can never get through to videos using the website. Any ideas??
Hmmmmmm……I’m not sure on this one. I can def see where Google would do that. Let me play around with it tonight and see what I can figure out.
(Sorry for the delay in responding!)
From what I can tell LeapFrog didn’t equip the device with a GPS, thus leaving Pokemon Go out of the equation. It can be faked, but that would be grounds for a ban should your son be caught using hacks.
As for YouTube, there is a modded version of YouTube on XDA with the Google Play dependencies removed. I haven’t tested that yet, and I don’t know if there is a similar mod for the YT Kids app.
Thanks!
It is possible to install YouTube Kids (and probably YouTube). This video shows it being done.
https://youtu.be/eEj1XMLlBKA
While not as easy to do as the video makes it look (the APK must be patched by a third-party executable and then transferred to the tablet via the ADB developer toolkit), the author of the video was EXTREMELY helpful.
I was unsuccessful using ADB, but now that I’m thinking more about it, I could have set up a web server on my home laptop and used the tablet to browse and download.
I just read the post by Felicity Merriman. She is referring to the same patching that I mentioned.
The video link I posted includes a link to download the patched YTK APK.
And here’s a link to the patched APK in question:
http://www90.zippyshare.com/v/Gxep4Jc0/file.html
The client’s a little old, but in a pinch this should suffice. It is also possible to have the full Google Play experience, though that requires rooting the device which can void your warranty.
I’ve tried using APKMirror for several apps found on Google Play (I was specifically trying to get McPlay) with no results found. I tried different apps I’ve seen on Google but APKMirror keeps coming back with no results found.
Try Googling “McPlay APK”. What other games are you looking for?
Thank you!!!!!!!!! The Disney junior app is now working!!!!
DId you get it working?
It’s always a relief when someone with obvious exetprise answers. Thanks!
Is it possible to download the minecraft app on to the Epic?
Thanks for your help!
It is! Just search for the APK and follow the steps above. Good Luck!
Installed duolingo according to directions but the open link is grey after installation. I cant find it anywhere but in downloads screen. What do i do about it?
I’m not sure about that one. Sorry!
Can the PBS kids app be installed, and does it need an internet connection?
I don’t know if it would. I assume so. It would need internet connection.
Thank you so much for this! I was really starting to regret not just buying an ipad for my kiddo (but wanted all the parental features of the epic) – so much happier with the epic now, due to your instructions!
Great! I was in the same boat until I figured it all out 😊
unfortunately this no longer works. the app gives an error saying it wont work without google play
That’s strange! What game?
I tried downloading Mario Run but I keep getting an error message that I need Google play to play this app. Any advice?
I’ve never tried that game specifically. Strange.
Keep in mind that some games or apps will require access to Google services. I managed to get Google Play to sort of work on my Epic without root, but that is unstable and you do need to root it for Google components to be installed in the system partition. That being said rooting the device isn’t without its risks, and is not recommended unless you know what you’re doing.
For that reason, I went around Google Play for the games. I encourage no one to do anything they aren’t comfortable with 🙂
How?
If I download the APK file and install will I have to purchase the app again? That’s my biggest frustration with not being able to get Google Play. I’ve spent quite a bit on apps from them and I’m concerned that the APK route won’t recognize that I’ve already bought the rights to play the game. Any suggestions?
You don’t pay anything to use a game via APK 😉
Hi there i downloaded the apk for movies anywhere so my daughter could watch all our digital movies on the tablet but when i go to open it it says we need the updated version of google play. Anyway around this? Or maybe know of a compatible app that i can download that she will have access to our digital movies? Thanks ahead for any advice!
I’m unsure on that one. Sorry!
This is also my problem with the same app and now also need Disney Now app because my hubs said it is replacing the previously used Disney Jr. app. Found APK for both on mirror but when I open them to run, says need updated versions from Google Play store. I’ll update if I find a way around this but I think the peeps on high have found a way to lock us out finally lol
Oh man! I’ll def have to check into this. Thanks for the info.
How do you open the app it wont show on the tablet except on downloads and downloaded apps
Hi i’m try to download Netflix on leap pad epic but it dose not give the installed button on APKMirror.com
Hi i’m try to download Netflix on leap pad epic but it dose not give the installed button on
Ever since I downloaded this it’s popping up other tabs with adult sites! How can I fix this? I even unchecked the box saying Unknown sources.
Oh WOW!!! I can’t figure out how that’s even possible. Let me do some research.
Found out how to use you tube. Simply go to akp mirror download an old version of you tube then use apkmirror to download Google play services, it will need an old apk one uploaded in like 2015.
I would like to install a kids video messenger app so that the kids and talk to their grandparents. I specifically tried Facebook kids Messenger multiple different times and it said “there was a a problem with this [some word I cant remember] package.”
Do you reccomend any other kids video messenger apps? Or can you help me figure out how to get the Facebook one installed?
Hello! I can’t get any of the apps I downloaded to show up on the main screen for her to click on and play. Any ideas why? It shows that they have been installed to the device but I can’t find them.
Thankyou I’ve like you apkpure i have only had it a short time on my device
Thanks for sharing it with us. I find it accurate and informative.
great post, thanks for sharing your thought with us. keep sharing more.
Thank you so much for sharing this!! I am trying to get Google Classroom on my child’s Leap Frog Epic.
I found the APK here: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/classroom/
but I can’t get the download to actually proceed even though I’ve tried to log in.
Is there any chance any one else has been successful with this?
Amazing, I love to install this.
But u have said that but how to install brain out video game I don’t understand it? Also what’s your youtube channel I never seen you and my name is ARNAV OJHA.
How do I download on APK mirror? i can’t do this!