Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration
1–10 of 31 posts
Re: Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration
#2No need to choose between Apple or Android anymore in 2027!
Re: Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration
#3No need to choose between Apple or Android anymore in 2027!
Right!? Apple has got to be thrilled about this. Android's one philosophically differentiating feature, that you're not bound by The App Store, just gone overnight.
Re: Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration
#4So how will this/will this be in place at all on an android device that is using AOSP without any of the play services?
Re: Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration
#5and no doubt with adb installs to come shortly thereafter
Re: Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration
#6The cynic in me believes Google is doing this to exert more control over the Android ecosystem, and has very little to do with security.
I'm also afraid it will make it easier for Google to bend to authoritarian regimes and ban developers whose apps are not government approved.
Think it can't happen? Think different:
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/10/apple-bends-to-t...
Re: Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration
#7More discussion on source: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45428832
Re: Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration
#8The cynic in me believes Google is doing this to exert more control over the Android ecosystem, and has very little to do with security. I'm also afraid it will make it easier for Google to bend to authoritarian regimes and ban developers whose apps are not government approved. Think it can't happen? Think different: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/10/apple-bends-to-t...
Didnt Apple get away with lot of App Store scrutiny with their current model. Why else wouldnt other app stores follow the practice?
Re: Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration
#9I've been thinking of trying out the iphone for a while now.
The reason I wasn't switching is that I install a lot of open source apps on my android device, for all kinds of things.
This change seems like it might greatly affect the current developer landscape. I've been looking for alternatives on the iphone to the apps I use and in most cases they do exist. I imagine the same will happen with android. Lots of devs are going to register and so on.
However, at that point, what difference will there be between ios and android systems that will meaningfully make me stay in android? I'll try out the iphone and see how I like it. Maybe theres something thats so commonplace right now for me that will become a deal breaker. Sort of doubt it.
Big L, as always google just doing what they do best.
Re: Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration
#10The cynic in me believes Google is doing this to exert more control over the Android ecosystem, and has very little to do with security. I'm also afraid it will make it easier for Google to bend to authoritarian regimes and ban developers whose apps are not government approved. Think it can't happen? Think different: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/10/apple-bends-to-t...
Surely this is a time where you don't have to much of a cynic at all to believe this.