---
title: Start Using Twent
description: Download the Twent APK, install it on your Android phone, grant permissions, connect an AI provider, and finish setup — step by step.
sidebar:
  label: Start Using Twent
  order: 1
---

Everything you need to go from download to your first working AI agent on your phone. If any word below feels unfamiliar (APK, API key, MCP…), click it — every technical term is linked to a plain-English explanation, and they are all collected on the [Glossary](/more/glossary) page.

## Step 1 · Download the APK

An [APK](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apk) is the installation file for Android apps — like a `.exe` installer on Windows.

[Download twent.apk (~80 MB)](https://assets.twent.xyz/twent.apk)

Or copy this address into your phone's browser: **https://assets.twent.xyz/twent.apk**

## Step 2 · Allow "Install unknown apps"

Because Twent isn't from the [Google Play Store](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Play), Android blocks installs by default. This is normal — installing apps outside the store is called [sideloading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sideloading).

1. Tap the downloaded `twent.apk` file.
2. Your phone will say the install is blocked and offer **Settings**.
3. In that settings screen, turn ON **"Allow from this source"** for your browser (this is the *install unknown apps* permission — official Google explanation [here](https://support.google.com/android/answer/9437081)).
4. Go back and tap `twent.apk` again to install.

## Step 3 · Install Twent

Tap `twent.apk` once more and press **Install**.

:::note[If you see a "Play Protect" warning]
[Play Protect](https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2812853) is Google's scanner — it often flags apps that aren't from the Play Store, even safe ones. To continue:

1. Open the **Play Store**
2. Tap your **profile picture** (top right)
3. Tap **Play Protect**
4. Tap **Pause Play Protect** and enter your phone password
5. Tap the `twent.apk` file again to install
:::

<video src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dcpcpoyzj/video/upload/v1787466575/lv_0_20260823112114_se0sch.mp4" controls muted playsinline style="width:100%;border-radius:12px;" />

*The same install-and-setup walkthrough video shown on [twent.xyz/apk](https://twent.xyz/apk).*

## Step 4 · Grant permissions

When Twent opens for the first time you land on the **Permissions** page. Allow **all** of them — they power screen reading, automation, files, and the terminal. You can optionally sign in with Google, but there's no added benefit yet.

## Step 5 · Connect an AI provider

Twent is BYOK — bring your own key. An [API key](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/API_key) is a password-like string that lets Twent talk to an [AI model](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_language_model) provider, which does the actual thinking.

1. Go to **Settings** → tap the **Model Settings** card
2. Pick a **Provider**, paste an **API key**, and choose a **Model**

Good options:

| Provider | Get a key from | Why pick it |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Nous Research | [portal.nousresearch.com](https://portal.nousresearch.com) | Fast responses, very generous free tier, constant free promos |
| Opencode Zen | [opencode.ai/zen](https://opencode.ai/zen) | Faster responses, generous free tier |
| NVIDIA NIMS | [build.nvidia.com](https://build.nvidia.com/explore/discover) | Access to many [open-weights models](https://huggingface.co/models); slower responses |

## Step 6 · Wait for terminal setup

Open the **Terminal** page. A full [Ubuntu Linux](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu) environment sets itself up automatically the first time — this takes **8–10 minutes**, so let it run. Details on the [Terminal](/features/terminal) page.

## Step 7 · Start the web-search server

Once the terminal setup is finished, go to **Plugins → MCP tab**, find the built-in **ddg-search** server, and start it. This gives the agent web search. More on the [MCP](/plugins/mcp) page.

## Done 🎉

You're set. Try asking Twent something, or explore what it can do on [Agent Capabilities](/features/agent-capabilities).