Google confirms new Android rules will significantly restrict app sideloading

[m4a4]

Yeah, but can something like Adguard be side loaded that way?

If it works like it does now, yes.

Though, you need to activate the developer mode on your Android to use it (and either learn how to install it through the command line, or find a shortcut).

 

[opckieran]

There’s a puzzling bit of language Google chooses to use here:

“Starting in 2026, Android will require all apps to be registered by verified developers in order to be installed by users on ‘certified Android devices’.”

“September 2026: These requirements go into effect in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. At this point, any app installed on a ‘certified Android device’ in these countries must be registered by a verified developer.”

Why does Google go out of its way multiple times to specify “certified Android device”?

Will devices that aren’t certified be able to continue sideloading non-verified apps?

What exactly constitutes a “certified” Android device?

Can device certification be opted out of, and if so, does that process happen at the manufacturer level or can it happen at the user level?

If a device is not certified, will certain functions or apps be restricted on those devices?


None of these questions are answered by Google at this time. Some websites are claiming that this certification is coming from Google Play: via Play Protection Certification. But if it is in fact Play Protect, turning it off is currently a very simple process which one can do within the play store itself, leading me to somewhat doubt this is exactly what Google is referring to, unless they (have) disable(d) the ability to toggle Play Protection.

Either way, rooting on Android died years ago. It’s a shame really, because rooting used to be the only way to even get close to a clean, Apple-like experience with no 3rd party advertising and/or apps forced on you on any manufacturer outside of Google.

 

[lomepax951]

No side Loading of MOD apk = Google already 1/3 of the battle(say bye bye to adguard, revanced,Emulators, Fan made ports of Games) only good things left are better web browsers & Torrent.

 

[trparky]

Welcome to just about everything that eventually matures. They start out with good intentions, everyone loves it, the bad guys move in and ruin things, and then things need to get locked down to protect the average person.

 

[WaphleStomp]

Silly. Many businesses depend on a single product category. Boeing sells aircraft. Starbucks sells coffee products. F-droid provides a wide range of Android APKs.

#Facepalm #SMH
My bad!, I forgot I'm dealing with children and adult-children possibly all still living in their mommy's basement, with no real-life and certainly no business experience.

Ok, "Boeing sells aircraft. Starbucks sells coffee" ... Wow!!, even with that incredibly gross oversimplification, that's wrong. Pay attention. Here's an incomplete list of what boeing does:
new aircraft platforms:
passenger:
737- max family (737-7, -8, -9, -10), 747-8, 767- family, 777- family (-200, -300, -300er, -8, -9), 787- dreamliner family -8, -9, -10)

freight:
747-8, 767- family, 777f

business:
bbj variants of 737 max, 787, 777/777x and other corporate/vip-configured derivatives

military and government:
fixed wing:
c-17 globemaster III, c-40 clipper, kc-46 pegasus, p-8 poseidon, f/a-18 super hornet, ea-18g growler, f-15ex eagle II, mq-25 stingray

rotary wing:
ah-64 apache, ch-47 chinook

spacecraft, rockets, space systems:
crew and commercial spacecraft:
cst-100 starliner

launch and heavy-lift:
builds major elements of nasa's space launch system
delta family components (legacy)

satellites and payload systems:
satellite buses, payload integration, small- and large-satellite subsystems, mission engineering and integration services

space services:
space mission engineering, satellite ops support, integration, and sustainment for civil, commercial and defense customers

... and that above list is only 2 of the ~20 categories of things they manufacture, sell, and service.

other departments:
weapons, munitions, precision strike systems
subsystems, components, and assemblies
aircraft and freighter conversions
aftermarket products and spare parts distribution
maintenance, repair, and overhaul services
training, simulators, and crew services
data and software products
long-term support, service, and managed services
aircraft training, charts, manuals, and other data subscriptions
leasing, financing, and asset services
research, engineering, and consulting services
military sustainment, upgrades, and mission systems
specialty and ancillary products
... and more.

"Boeing sells aircraft. Starbucks sells coffee" - wow!, just wow! ... but I guess that's what I should expect with superficial conversations with kids.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

#Facepalm #SMH
My bad!, I forgot I'm dealing with children and adult-children possibly all still living in their mommy's basement, with no real-life and certainly no business experience.

Ok, "Boeing sells aircraft. Starbucks sells coffee" ... Wow!!, even with that incredibly gross oversimplification, that's wrong. Pay attention. Here's an incomplete list of what boeing does:
new aircraft platforms:
passenger:
737- max family (737-7, -8, -9, -10), 747-8, 767- family, 777- family (-200, -300, -300er, -8, -9), 787- dreamliner family -8, -9, -10)

freight:
747-8, 767- family, 777f

business:
bbj variants of 737 max, 787, 777/777x and other corporate/vip-configured derivatives

military and government:
fixed wing:
c-17 globemaster III, c-40 clipper, kc-46 pegasus, p-8 poseidon, f/a-18 super hornet, ea-18g growler, f-15ex eagle II, mq-25 stingray

rotary wing:
ah-64 apache, ch-47 chinook

spacecraft, rockets, space systems:
crew and commercial spacecraft:
cst-100 starliner

launch and heavy-lift:
builds major elements of nasa's space launch system
delta family components (legacy)

satellites and payload systems:
satellite buses, payload integration, small- and large-satellite subsystems, mission engineering and integration services

space services:
space mission engineering, satellite ops support, integration, and sustainment for civil, commercial and defense customers

... and that above list is only 2 of the ~20 categories of things they manufacture, sell, and service.

other departments:
weapons, munitions, precision strike systems
subsystems, components, and assemblies
aircraft and freighter conversions
aftermarket products and spare parts distribution
maintenance, repair, and overhaul services
training, simulators, and crew services
data and software products
long-term support, service, and managed services
aircraft training, charts, manuals, and other data subscriptions
leasing, financing, and asset services
research, engineering, and consulting services
military sustainment, upgrades, and mission systems
specialty and ancillary products
... and more.

"Boeing sells aircraft. Starbucks sells coffee" - wow!, just wow! ... but I guess that's what I should expect with superficial conversations with kids.

This might be the most juvenile response I've read on this site in a long time.

 

[p51d007]

If it works like it does now, yes.

Though, you need to activate the developer mode on your Android to use it (and either learn how to install it through the command line, or find a shortcut).

Yeah, developer mode is one of the first things I enable when getting a new phone. It's been a few years since I've used ADB, but I can do it again if it comes down to it.
I look at it this way. MY phone, I'll install/delete/set it up the way I want.
Hate all this lock down garbage.

 

[airbornex]

So Google’s basically saying “we still believe in sideloading freedom” while quietly locking the door, adding a bouncer, and charging a cover fee at the entrance.

 

[trparky]

So Google’s basically saying “we still believe in sideloading freedom” while quietly locking the door, adding a bouncer, and charging a cover fee at the entrance.

Basically, yes.

 

[ZedRM]

This is completely unacceptable. There will be unpleasant consequences for this at Google.

 

[WaphleStomp]

This might be the most juvenile response I've read on this site in a long time.

Frustration wrought of ridiculous responses from people who not only lack reading comprehension, but openly display topical ignorance, can easily lead to truthful, albeit hurtful, language. I lack sympathy for anyone so offended, they reap what they sow.
Re: so-called immaturity; not only do I have underwear older than are you, but it has more life experience. Thus, barbs flung from such lack acuity to damage.

 

[kukoljaleksandar]

Long ago it was time for new competitor to jump in AOSP and make alternative to Google.

Only reason it did not happen is monopoly of Google.

But with these changes, Android stops being Android and becomes just another Google Service...

 

[SRB]

"Now, the Mountain View giant is providing additional details about mandatory developer verification ..."

Hmm???!!!!, perhaps it's time for a new Android competitor to arise and take market share. I wonder if losing $billions in profit would loosen Google's choke-hold on freedom.

Ah, but today's customer is a lot less discerning then in the past (as a whole). You'll find it all over. Apple is king of the cell phone, Google is the most successful search engine ever that built and empire. they saw the need to get into phones for ad revenue, and that only works if it's in you're phone and your devices.

Between those three circumstances that make up the mobile phone industry, even the hardware competition has gotten smaller not bigger.

HP tried it with Palm, their new CEO at the time killed it with the phones already shipped to retailers. Next was Microsoft, they bought Nokia to enter the market, customers rejected it. Why? Aside from the lack of interest in anything aside from the Samsung/Apple duopoly, the app developers had no desire to port or create apps for Microsoft's mobile OS. Last we have Blackberry. Blackberry OS 10 was responsive, easy to navigate, could sideload Android apps despite being a different OS, and the devices came with and without a keyboard. What happened to them? Again, no app interest, no interest in side loading, Cut off from the play store, and the same big one: Developers showed no interest.

As a result, I think you'll find that while we are all up in arms about this, as is most of the tech community, the public at large does not care in the least. Therefore, we get Apple and Android, be happy with what they give you.

As far as Apple is concerned, I don't get the rush to them either. Google is trying to crush sideloading, so I'm going to buy a device that never let it happen, can go in and remove apps without permission, and tells you that you will update when we say, and keep you safe with battery management changes when they want. (Planned obsolescence). Yeah, their so much more customer focused and upstanding.

Don't forget, the sheep and creatures of habit will ensure there is no competition even if all else fails.

 

[SRB]

6) Personally still hate the apple swipe UI, much prefer the android 3 button menu that just works.

I've got to take issue with this one. I never figured out that three buttion routine to my satisfaction. I hung on to my last Blackberry Passport past it's prime until Android added a swipe system. While mosty a copy of Blackberry 10 navigation, it used fewer gestures and a lot of features I was used to. I'm still running the Blackberry overlay on my LG V60,

 

[lolmatdi]

#Facepalm #SMH
My bad!, I forgot I'm dealing with children and adult-children possibly all still living in their mommy's basement, with no real-life and certainly no business experience.

Ok, "Boeing sells aircraft. Starbucks sells coffee" ... Wow!!, even with that incredibly gross oversimplification, that's wrong. Pay attention. Here's an incomplete list of what boeing does:
new aircraft platforms:
passenger:
737- max family (737-7, -8, -9, -10), 747-8, 767- family, 777- family (-200, -300, -300er, -8, -9), 787- dreamliner family -8, -9, -10)

freight:
747-8, 767- family, 777f

business:
bbj variants of 737 max, 787, 777/777x and other corporate/vip-configured derivatives

military and government:
fixed wing:
c-17 globemaster III, c-40 clipper, kc-46 pegasus, p-8 poseidon, f/a-18 super hornet, ea-18g growler, f-15ex eagle II, mq-25 stingray

rotary wing:
ah-64 apache, ch-47 chinook

spacecraft, rockets, space systems:
crew and commercial spacecraft:
cst-100 starliner

launch and heavy-lift:
builds major elements of nasa's space launch system
delta family components (legacy)

satellites and payload systems:
satellite buses, payload integration, small- and large-satellite subsystems, mission engineering and integration services

space services:
space mission engineering, satellite ops support, integration, and sustainment for civil, commercial and defense customers

... and that above list is only 2 of the ~20 categories of things they manufacture, sell, and service.

other departments:
weapons, munitions, precision strike systems
subsystems, components, and assemblies
aircraft and freighter conversions
aftermarket products and spare parts distribution
maintenance, repair, and overhaul services
training, simulators, and crew services
data and software products
long-term support, service, and managed services
aircraft training, charts, manuals, and other data subscriptions
leasing, financing, and asset services
research, engineering, and consulting services
military sustainment, upgrades, and mission systems
specialty and ancillary products
... and more.

"Boeing sells aircraft. Starbucks sells coffee" - wow!, just wow! ... but I guess that's what I should expect with superficial conversations with kids.

I think you have a key misunderstanding on what exactly the purpose of open source software is

So the issue for F-Droid is not that it will become unprofitable, it's that the thing they want to do will be impossible, because f-droid isn't a business, it's a tool, and google is taking away its utility. The issue is not that the organization is going under, the issue is that google is preventing the utility that F-Droid prevents

 

[lolmatdi]

*presents

 

[lolmatdi]

#Facepalm #SMH
My bad!, I forgot I'm dealing with children and adult-children possibly all still living in their mommy's basement, with no real-life and certainly no business experience.

Ok, "Boeing sells aircraft. Starbucks sells coffee" ... Wow!!, even with that incredibly gross oversimplification, that's wrong. Pay attention. Here's an incomplete list of what boeing does:
new aircraft platforms:
passenger:
737- max family (737-7, -8, -9, -10), 747-8, 767- family, 777- family (-200, -300, -300er, -8, -9), 787- dreamliner family -8, -9, -10)

freight:
747-8, 767- family, 777f

business:
bbj variants of 737 max, 787, 777/777x and other corporate/vip-configured derivatives

military and government:
fixed wing:
c-17 globemaster III, c-40 clipper, kc-46 pegasus, p-8 poseidon, f/a-18 super hornet, ea-18g growler, f-15ex eagle II, mq-25 stingray

rotary wing:
ah-64 apache, ch-47 chinook

spacecraft, rockets, space systems:
crew and commercial spacecraft:
cst-100 starliner

launch and heavy-lift:
builds major elements of nasa's space launch system
delta family components (legacy)

satellites and payload systems:
satellite buses, payload integration, small- and large-satellite subsystems, mission engineering and integration services

space services:
space mission engineering, satellite ops support, integration, and sustainment for civil, commercial and defense customers

... and that above list is only 2 of the ~20 categories of things they manufacture, sell, and service.

other departments:
weapons, munitions, precision strike systems
subsystems, components, and assemblies
aircraft and freighter conversions
aftermarket products and spare parts distribution
maintenance, repair, and overhaul services
training, simulators, and crew services
data and software products
long-term support, service, and managed services
aircraft training, charts, manuals, and other data subscriptions
leasing, financing, and asset services
research, engineering, and consulting services
military sustainment, upgrades, and mission systems
specialty and ancillary products
... and more.

"Boeing sells aircraft. Starbucks sells coffee" - wow!, just wow! ... but I guess that's what I should expect with superficial conversations with kids.

Why doesn't a hammer just be a screwdriver?

 

[Shaitan]

No issue, then, I'm going for Apple. At least they are honest in their @ssholery.

 

[abdulhkeem]

So much for saying "Sideloading is not going anywhere" biggest lie of the year right next to microsoft's "gamepass is getting an upgrade" debacle.