.NET MAUI 6.0 - Sideloading

This article describes how to sideload (install) Windows and Android application packages. I developed KH Authenticator, a .NET MAUI App for Windows and Android which registers and authenticates a user without a password or email address. See KH Authenticator Server.

To publish and distribute your application, you need to create application packages. VS 2022 will publish the appropriate package based on the selected operating system. If Windows Machine is selected, publish creates a folder with resources and a MSIX file. See MSDocs - Publish a .NET MAUI app for Windows. If an Android Emulator or Android Local Device (USB connected Android device) is selected, publish creates an Android Package Kit or apk file. See MSDocs - Publish a .NET MAUI app for Android.

Both packages require code signing. The Windows package is signed with a X.509 certificate and the Android Package Kit is signed with an Android keystore. Installing the app on Windows with an untrusted (self-signed) certificate requires adding the certificate to the Windows Trusted Root Certification Authorities store. Installing the app on Android from a source other than Google Play or the Amazon Appstore, requires allowing installation from unknown sources. Select the target operating system for more detail on sideloading.