Unlike Apple products, you do not need to jailbreak your Android device in order to load 3rd party games onto the device itself. There are various ways where you can actually "side load" apps into your device without the need to root at all ! But be warned though, there are consequences when doing so and if you wish to know more, read on...
Pros and Cons...
Side loading apps is one way to install applications without going through the official Google Play store. You may think it's a way to pirate apps (which is actually true) but because android is an open source systems, not all Android device (like OUYA) would actually have access to Google Play, therefore the only way to install APKs is to side load them.
While installing 3rd party apps (or pirating them) seems to be a way to save you a few bucks but always remember, 3rd party apps are prone to trojans and viruses. If you side load an app which contains malicious codes within, you're on your own - and need me to explain more that your smart device posses more information about you than your PC ?
How to do it ?
Accepting the risks ? Okay, so there are various different ways to side load apps, be it by using the cloud (i.e. DropBox), SDCard or even 3rd party market apps (i.e. BlackMart Alpha or Aptoide). But in all these different ways, one thing is common - you would need to enable an option in your device to start the side loading process.
Firstly, you would need to go into your smart device settings and look into the security section. Scroll down and locate an option called "Unknown Sources" and check it. This would allow any 3rd party APKs from anywhere in your device to be installed.
Now that your device is "vulnerable", you can start installing APKs into it. Below are some different easy methods to side load.
1) Using DropBox (Works with OUYA)
a) Install DropBox into your device and log on to your account
b) From your desktop, locate and save the APK into your DropBox account.
c) Open DropBox in your device, locate and access the APK
2) Directly, using cable or SDCard
a) Copy or save the APK into your device (using cable, device browser or via SDCard)
b) Access the APK in your device via a file manager (i.e. ES File Manager)
3) Using Aptoide or BlackMart Alpha
a) Just find these 2 apps using your device browser and install it
b) Follow the app instructions
Remember, irregardless which method you use, side loading is risky and prone to malicious attack. Moreover, the side loaded apps cannot be updated via the official Google Play store (as far as I know). Good luck !
