[fishgoesblub]

There is no "official channels" on systems that allow installing software packages. Android for example, has no "official" channel because all stores just download and install APKs, like the Play Store, and FDroid. The same way you can go to a Github page and download an APK through your browser and install it. The only "official channel" I would say is the system APK installer.

[NoPicklez]

But to do that on many Android devices you need to specifically enable that in the settings. You have enable installing what Android calls "unknown" apps.

I don't really care about the technicalities of it. The point still stands that sideloading is a term referring to installing software outside of the vendors preferred method.

It doesn't mean its bad, its just the term used on devices like mobile phone where the installing of software has been traditionally more locked down to specific shopfronts.

The term being born more so out of Apple than Android to begin with.