How to Install Mihon Safely: Only Trust Official Sources

Mihon isn't on the Google Play Store. That's not a red flag — plenty of legitimate open-source Android apps distribute directly — but it does mean the installation process has one step where people make mistakes: where they download the file. Get this right and everything else is easy.

Step 1: Go to the official download page

Open your phone's browser and go to mihon.app/download. That's the official site. Double-check the address bar — scammers register lookalike domains, and "mihon" plus a dash or a different ending is not the same thing.

Why this matters: the official page serves the genuine build, signed by the developers, at the current version (0.20.4 at the time of writing). Anything else is a copy, and copies are where the problems start.

Step 2: Download the APK

Tap the download link on the official page. Your browser will download an APK file — that's just Android's app package format. Depending on your browser, you may see a warning that "this type of file can harm your device." That's a generic warning Android shows for any app installed outside the Play Store; it says nothing about Mihon specifically.

You'll see two variants on the releases page: the standard build and a FOSS variant without proprietary components. Most users want the standard build — pick the FOSS one only if you know why you'd need it.

Step 3: Allow the install

Tap the downloaded file. Android will ask you to allow your browser to "install unknown apps." This is the standard gatekeeper for sideloading — grant it for your browser only, and you can turn it off again afterward. Then tap Install.

If you've never sideloaded an app before, this step feels scarier than it is. You're not disabling your phone's security; you're making a one-time exception for a file you chose to download from the developer's own site.

Step 4: Open Mihon and set it up

Launch the app. First run asks about extensions — these are how you add manga sources. Don't rush this screen: extensions are the part of the setup where choosing trusted sources matters most. Our extensions guide walks through it properly, including which repositories are trustworthy.

After extensions, set up your library categories and, if you track your reading, connect your account in Settings → Tracking. The full routine is covered in the library and tracking setup guide.

What to avoid: APK mirrors and repackaged builds

This is the part worth repeating. Search results for "Mihon APK" are full of mirror sites offering the app. Some are merely outdated; others are modified builds, and a few are outright malicious — repackaged with adware or worse. There is no legitimate reason to use them. The official download page is one tap away, always has the current version, and costs nothing.

Red flags to watch for anywhere you see a "Mihon download" link:

• A domain that isn't mihon.app or github.com/mihonapp — lookalikes, URL shorteners, file hosts.
• Claims of a "modded," "premium," or "unlocked" version. Mihon has no premium tier; there's nothing to unlock.
• Versions newer than what's on the official page — that's impossible unless someone tampered with the file.

If a friend sends you a Mihon APK on a messaging app, thank them and download it from the official page anyway. Files get swapped; official links don't.

Keeping Mihon updated

Mihon can check for updates itself — look in Settings. When a new version is out, update the same way you installed: download from the official page and install over the existing app. Your library and settings carry over; nothing is lost. Before major updates, it's good practice to make a backup (Library → backup) so you can restore if anything goes sideways.

And if you're still on the fence about the app itself, the what-is-Mihon rundown covers the Tachiyomi backstory and the feature set in one place.