Google is cracking down on what users will be able to side load on their Android phones, going forward. New plans laid out by Android developers have announced that by 2027, Google will require app developers to register with Google and verify their developer identity, for side loading APKs, even outside of the Google Play Store. Currently, users can freely install any app they find online, even to their own detriment. As a measure to improve security for the bulk of its customer base, Google is getting rid of that, which could notably impact how a lot of gamers use their phones as emulation devices.

Starting next year, Android will require all apps to be registered by verified developers in order to be installed by users on certified Android devices. This creates crucial accountability, making it much harder for malicious actors to quickly distribute another harmful app after we take the first one down. Think of it like an ID check at the airport, which confirms a traveler's identity but is separate from the security screening of their bags; we will be confirming who the developer is, not reviewing the content of their app or where it came from. This change will start in a few select countries specifically impacted by these forms of fraudulent app scams, often from repeat perpetrators.

Registering with a developer on Google would require app-makers to give their personal information to Google in order to release an app, including in some cases, official government identification. The initial changes will roll out to Indonesia, Singapore, Brazil, and Thailand, in September 2026, with other countries switching over in "2027 and beyond".

Source

 

[Sonic Angel Knight]

Nah, I think they're coping Microsoft more. I remember in Windows 7 they started only allowing apps that had some sort of weird verification from Microsoft. You had to jump through so many hoops, and boot your Windows OS in some weird mode. All this shit just to use my PS3 controller on my PC like 15 years ago. I hated that shit so much.

You mean driver installation. Yeah that was a thing. Back when no one had made drivers for dualshock controllers, even steam didn't have any, but I guess they got legit ones now. But I bet people still prefer to use dongles or those controllers like 8bitdo that is compatible with the microsoft xbox controller.

God how times have changed. Something was difficult, then becomes easily accessible then make it difficult again, this time on higher difficulty than before. Just hope windows 12 don't go back to the draconian ways.

 

[Xzi]

This right as they're cutting down on the number of emulators available on Google Play, especially the best free options. I doubt that's coincidence.

 

[jomaper]

What's this Soviet Russia? Or modern Russia.

This is just capitalism baby, be realistic

 

[Viri]

You mean driver installation. Yeah that was a thing

Yup, and the program that gave you the drivers was a huge piece of shit, that didn't work half the time, and probably had spyware.

 

[LoggerMan]

I don't care, now that both Apple and Google allow retro game emulators in the App Store and Play Store. Except for pirate games, I've got everything I wanted already.

 

[Aurora Wright]

This isn't about security this is about control. You already get warnings when installing APKs and have to enable settings in order to do so.

They're protecting their revenue from the likes of Revanced and other system level ad blockers.

Vote with your wallet and don't support this.

In a way it’s surprising it lasted this long, it was obvious openness felt long in the tooth to them since they kept removing system apps from aosp for a long time. Also see how they removed all Pixel device specific code from aosp making it unusable on any device as-is (if I had to guess the Pixel 10 will also have a locked bootloader). Must have been nice to sell it as a feature vs iPhones in the early days but now that they have the market share they’re rolling it back

 

[NostalgicMillennial]

Fuck and I got the Pixel 10

 

[chrisrlink]

my guess trump admin has a hand in this and other countries too what a fucking dystopia this shit hole of a planet turned out to be

 

[shadow1w2]

Well this would make android worthless.
Hopefully enough poeple rally against it.
Though Im down for more alternatives.
Something like this will force a lot of interest in jumping ship.
Maybe its time we see a good Linux phone pop up.
Im be down for a filly modular phone.
Wonder if Framework might try one but eh they'd be too expensive to be practical.

 

[MarkDarkness]

Wow. I keep getting surprised by crap like this. Don't know why.

 

[Kitocco]

What is the alternative? This is exactly what Google wants. Your alternatives are to use one of those fledgling Linux phones that barely work, the similarly locked down iPhone, or no phone at all. We're past the point of voting with our wallets--the companies are too big to fail and have all the power.

Considering the last few times this has gone with companies clowning on Apple for removing the headphone jack AND a charger from their phones later following suit the NEXT phone, I'm starting to think we aren't gonna be able to shop our way out this. Especially when people might have their own reasons for putting up with some things. Shockingly contrary to internet comment common consensus portraying everyone as mindless drones

If only there were things we could do we're already seeing case examples of being mobilized as we speak... some things about... game-killing? And a... lawsuit against Mahjong?

Maybe someday, when people are done dunking on each other for their 5 second dopamine hits of superiority.

 

[whitesword7]

This isn't about security this is about control. You already get warnings when installing APKs and have to enable settings in order to do so.

They're protecting their revenue from the likes of Revanced and other system level ad blockers.

Vote with your wallet and don't support this.

hmmm vote with your wallet is kinda difficult in this case… 1st sideloading app doesn’t cost money in the first place, 2nd the alternative the iphone is also prohibiting sideloading. so what’s the alternative?

 

[doorbell8423]

.

 

[Jayro]

As much as this SUCKS, this might be the push we need for more "Un-Google'd Android phones to appear on the market.

GrapheneOS devs, THIS is now your time to shine, and bring your epic OS to the masses. Start making GrapheneOS phones.

Im be down for a filly modular phone.
Wonder if Framework might try one but eh they'd be too expensive to be practical.

If they'd focus on good hardware specs, and really put forth effort on making the Android OS good, I'd bite. They shouldn't worry about making it modular, it's just a phone afterall. I'd settle for a replaceable USB C port though, that'd be dope. But I also want an SD card slot and headphone jack again. Those are the 3 most basic things I want on a phone, and Samsung took away 2/3 of those. :/

 

[Kraken_X]

Google has a feedback survey. Write them and tell them end users don't want them to block or restict sideloading!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1...hINJ7Dr396BuflbchKKIF0AOg/viewform?usp=header

 

[Attila13]

What is the alternative?

I guess the world of custom ROMs and rooting will make a comeback like we had them in the early 2010s.

 

[XRed_CubeX]

I guess the world of custom ROMs and rooting will make a comeback like we had them in the early 2010s.

the problem could be the play integrity and then the probability that the manufacturers will block the bootloader permanently

 

[AverageHorse]

the problem could be the play integrity and then the probability that the manufacturers will block the bootloader permanently

 

[Skelletonike]

This is really, really stupid.
Given the countries where they will be starting this in, it just seems to me like a way to combat app piracy since it's so common and easily accessible. However, the same happens on PC.

This would be like Windows saying you can no longer install what you feel like on your PC, Microsoft is bad, but even they haven't been this stupid.

 

[xesdemitri]

This would be like Windows saying you can no longer install what you feel like on your PC, Microsoft is bad, but even they haven't been this stupid.

But it is not being stupid, like on some other comments said, is about control, and that they will implement that on Windows as well, is just a matter of time.