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

 

[Moseii]

EU please kill google NOW

 

[Kraken_X]

you know i got taught something very important when i was a wee lady and that was if a coporate big wig company decides to bite the hand that feeds it than you bite back by simply not buying anything from them, making the coporate company submit to the ones who put them in that position for years by making there entire stocks plumet to the ground.

this is what google deserves and much more. so yes do vote with your wallet that is very much true and make sure they dont get nothing out of anybody until they get the whiplash they deserve rightfully so.

It's hard to boycott Google when there are only two options and the other is worse. But we have to try. Our governments aren't looking out for us any more, so we have to use what little power we still have.

Others have mentioned Windows RT and Windows 10 S. Consumers killed those by refusing to buy them. Microsoft tried to restrict us, consumers fought back and won. Not just consumers, but people up the chain too. I sold computers at a retail store during Windows RT, and I made sure every customer knew exactly what they were NOT getting. Nobody bought one once they knew it only ran like 10 apps and they all needed to be approved by M$.

As the tech savvy people, others still look to us for guidance. Do what you can to steer them towards Linux, Firefox and other non-corporate options. Market forces are still a thing, even if the consumers nowadays are dumb enough to fall for marketing hype.

As you boycott, it's also important for companies to know why. It can be hard for them to tell if sales are down because people have less money in general, or if they are specifically not buying their products for a reason.

Here's a survey you can use to tell Google why: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1...hINJ7Dr396BuflbchKKIF0AOg/viewform?usp=header

 

[Ondrashek06]

EU please kill google NOW

They won't do shit about this due to a few reasons:
- Blocking sideloading only affects like 1% of the userbase of Android. 99% do not even know what the term means.
- EU is actually the one to PUSH towards this kind of bullshit, as they passed a law that forced manufacturers to make phones "more secure" and left the interpretation of that to the manufacturers.
- It's not monopolistic behavior in EU's views. People can always use alternate app stores as long as the apps pass the "safety" checks instituted by Google.
- EU let this exact shit slide with Apple. Why wouldn't they do the same with Google?

 

[jesus96]

Let's be real it's because apps like revanced dab on Google and YouTube ads

 

[Kioku]

One of the big takeaways from this thread is that people don't realize that this isn't blocking sideloading as a whole. This is just Google taking aim at what they currently do not control. Their plan is to force developer verification and certification for all application installs. This means that sideloading will still work, you just will not be able to install any APK you find on the internet without it having been released by a verified developer.

 

[Marc_LFD]

Let's be real it's because apps like revanced dab on Google and YouTube ads

Well, there's still Brave so unless they ban that too, people can still avoid their crap. Even on iOS it works really well.

 

[VinsCool]

Yeah yeah because they totally will be able to prevent anyone from installing shit, be it an older custom Android version or some root patched bypass to keep everything under the user's control.

This is not Apple IOS, we don't need to find new exploits to let us install whatever, this has been a thing for over a decade, trying to remove such a big feature would be a waste of time and resources because someone will find a way around it, I would be surprised to see any of this hold up for any extended period of time before they backtrack on the decision and admit it was a terrible idea.

 

[KLABx]

View attachment 524391​

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.



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

And this here friends is why i use twrp... Because google is all about power and control where i prefer feeling free to use my device how i choose to.. typical goblins think just because we buy their devices it still belongs to them...

 

[Ericthegreat]

As a dev myself, I've been researching this, won't be worldwide until 2027, mid next year it's in like 3-4 test countries, it will probably fail before worldwide release.

 

[Moseii]

One of the big takeaways from this thread is that people don't realize that this isn't blocking sideloading as a whole. This is just Google taking aim at what they currently do not control. Their plan is to force developer verification and certification for all application installs. This means that sideloading will still work, you just will not be able to install any APK you find on the internet without it having been released by a verified developer.

so, like exactly what's happening on IOS currently :/

 

[XRed_CubeX]

so, like exactly what's happening on IOS currently :/

But I should have the right to install whatever I want on my phone, and Google shouldn't be the only one to come to me and tell me what I can't install. As far as I'm concerned, I want to fill my phone with viruses, and Google should mind its own business.

 

[Moseii]

Yeah yeah because they totally will be able to prevent anyone from installing shit, be it an older custom Android version or some root patched bypass to keep everything under the user's control.

This is not Apple IOS, we don't need to find new exploits to let us install whatever, this has been a thing for over a decade, trying to remove such a big feature would be a waste of time and resources because someone will find a way around it, I would be surprised to see any of this hold up for any extended period of time before they backtrack on the decision and admit it was a terrible idea.

people will probably buy certs and sign apks with them just like iOS, the question is, will google revoke these certs the same way apple does?

 

[Kioku]

Yeah yeah because they totally will be able to prevent anyone from installing shit, be it an older custom Android version or some root patched bypass to keep everything under the user's control.

This is not Apple IOS, we don't need to find new exploits to let us install whatever, this has been a thing for over a decade, trying to remove such a big feature would be a waste of time and resources because someone will find a way around it, I would be surprised to see any of this hold up for any extended period of time before they backtrack on the decision and admit it was a terrible idea.

Their war on adblockers is also a massive waste of time and resources, but they haven't let up.

so, like exactly what's happening on IOS currently :/

Yes, but no. I can't download and install a file directly to my iPhone without either going through the app store or using some shifty method that requires developer mode access and manual intervention every week or so to keep the application active, unless I want to pay more money but that really defeats the purpose.

With these changes on Android, it sounds like you'll still be able to just install the APK. The only major change is that the application has to be certified. It's a small step toward a major lockdown akin to iOS, though.

 

[kuroninneko]

Does this have any affect for Unity WebGL games? I had some success running a unity game from a phone's browser using itch.io

 

[Deleted member 702243]

nice I cant wait for the thousands of people intentionally switching to horribly insecure and outdated devices

I can think of a lot of people who can't wait for users to intentionally make that choice too

 

[Flame]

I use android to sideload. Might as well switch to iPhone and get some good green bubbles and good pussy...

 

[mrmagicm]

Google, Damn we won't Support you ANYMORE if you Do THIS BE AWARE, and we will be MILLIONS AND MILLIONS!!!!
You will GET A VERY BAD REPUTATION FROM THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR YOU!!!!
WE'LL TURN TO CHINESE PHONES IF YOU DO THIS AND YOU WILL BECOME LIKE NOKIA IN THE PHONE WORLD.......

 

[doorbell8423]

.

 

[JORGETECH]

My thoughts also were for "Developer Option". The sad thing is that for iOS development, you literally have to have an active license (you pay for yearly) as well as the most up-to-date iOS just to test your application. It's such an uncomfortable experience for any iOS developer so my point is that this entire idea isn't completely unknown to the world but I highly doubt Google is planning on going that route at this point. Don't give in to rumors and speculations until Google themselves have addressed it as fact quite yet.

That's a good take, for the moment the best we can do is wait to see what happens in the near future. My best guess is that everything depends on how groups like LineageOS and F-Droid handle the situation. I can see LineageOS patching some more stuff on top of AOSP to disable some restrictions. Also, some container based solutions could be interesting in the future (something like having multiple copies of the OS in containers to run more restricitve stuff), I feel like that hasn't been as fully explored as it should have been in the Android community, except for some shady Chinese app which name I don't remember.

EDIT: Seems like GrapheneOS already has some interesting implementation of what I described, intended for running Google Play and other apps requiring it's services in a sandbox. Never tried it but sound like an interesting option.

 

[SMNFXCN]

so tired of the lack of freedom on android atm
- custom roms are becoming a thing of the past due to changes with android and bootloader unlock being removed from newer devices
- play integrity checks/certification
- if you dont pass integrity checks/safetynet every app thinks you're going to hack them or cheat in live service games or rip from streaming apps
- gpay not working
- rcs not working

i dont have any reason to run a custom roms but there are those who are less fortunate to have a newer device or simply just want a less bloated experience on a slightly older phone.
sure you can carry your wallet around instead of using gpay but you still need to check your banking app from time to time

oh and both pixel rom/one ui etc have been getting worse lately in terms of UI/UX and features
they both want to be apple so bad

google has never cared for your security

Post automatically merged: Aug 31, 2025

Yeah yeah because they totally will be able to prevent anyone from installing shit, be it an older custom Android version or some root patched bypass to keep everything under the user's control.

This is not Apple IOS, we don't need to find new exploits to let us install whatever, this has been a thing for over a decade, trying to remove such a big feature would be a waste of time and resources because someone will find a way around it, I would be surprised to see any of this hold up for any extended period of time before they backtrack on the decision and admit it was a terrible idea.

imagining that sideloading with adb will bypass this verification