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Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration

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Re: Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration

#11

Post by bitpush »

Spivak wrote: post #3
lambdadelirium wrote: post #2

No 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.

Isnt it going to be the opposite. Everytime EU says app store needs to be opened, there's a lot of HN commenters say how that's a bad idea and how App Stores help keep "malware" away. I'm assuming a lot of those folks would be thrilled to now be on Android.

Unless, ofcourse, they were all fanboys who were just defending their favorite company without any reason.

Re: Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration

#12

Post by netdevphoenix »

dchuk wrote: post #4

So how will this/will this be in place at all on an android device that is using AOSP without any of the play services?

It wont'. For now. But this is a long game. Google has apparently reduced the amount of contributions to AOSP and it would not be surprising if they went fully closed source in the near future. That would be the end of all roms.

Re: Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration

#14

Post by wernsey »

stuaxo wrote: post #10
wernsey wrote: post #6

The 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.

Sadly true. There was a time I would've given them the benefit of the doubt.

And don't call me Shirley

Re: Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration

#15

Post by tsycho »

jerojero wrote: post #9

I'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…

On iPhones, you need to pay Apple $99/yr+taxes to do even personal development. Yes, technically they have a free tier, but it supports a max of 3 devices, which you can't change, ever. It's so painful that it might not as well exist.

Is Android doing the same? Do you have to pay them money to install your own, or open source apps?

Re: Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration

#16

Post by gumby271 »

Spivak wrote: post #3
lambdadelirium wrote: post #2

No 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.

But the Android users are the exact people Apple doesn't want. Just look at how the iOS App Store defenders come out whenever someone suggests that iOS should be more open. The response is, without fail, "just go buy an Android if that's what you want". Meanwhile the success that Apple has with those people has lead Google to realize it's a great idea. What will be the response now? "Just go buy a Linux phone"?

Re: Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration

#17

Post by Neywiny »

tsycho wrote: post #15
jerojero wrote: post #9

I'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…

On iPhones, you need to pay Apple $99/yr+taxes to do even personal development. Yes, technically they have a free tier, but it supports a max of 3 devices, which you can't change, ever. It's so painful that it might not as well exist. Is Android doing the same? Do you have to pay them money to install your own, or open source apps?

That's what it looks like. You pay $25 and give your ID (yay more exposure from data breaches wooooo) and then you become verified. That lets your apps get installed. But if you're just installing on your own devices (with ADB), such as for development, you're fine. I see no upside to this

Re: Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration

#18

Post by Neywiny »

Spivak wrote: post #3
lambdadelirium wrote: post #2

No 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.

I mean, not overnight, it's 2 years from now and it's been long time coming. Play protect getting in the way, permissions to install apps from other apps (honestly a really good idea and should've been there from the start but the key is I can grant it), etc. The whole thing with getting rid of working apps that aren't updated for the sake of being updated. The writing's been on the wall.

Re: Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration

#19

Post by gdulli »

bitpush wrote: post #8
wernsey wrote: post #6

The 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?

A desire to treat their customers like adults. Or to feign that desire temporarily to win the market share of those for whom that's important.

Re: Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration

#20

Post by gdulli »

jerojero wrote: post #9

I'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…

You'd be rewarding Apple for having originated and normalized this loss of rights. And whichever ones they go after next.
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