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Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android

9to5google.com

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Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android

#341

Post by tootie »

rkagerer wrote: post #115

I've grown increasingly hateful towards both my Android and iOS devices over the last decade. The platforms themselves are increasingly user-hostile, and their appstores are crammed full of shitty, privacy-invading, telemetry-hoovering, dopamine-triggering, ad-filled, lipstick-covered apps that are often garbage compared to the pioneering days of mobile. I miss the days of my old Palm Pilot. Is anyone working on fixi…

I make a point of never installing an app when there's a usable mobile site. Even if they prompt me to install every ten seconds.

Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android

#342

Post by DebtDeflation »

The are apk's floating around from the Ice Cream Sundae days where the developer went out of business and is no longer on Play Store and this is literally the only way to run the app.

I have a Concept2 rower with the old PM3 monitor which is no longer supported by their ErgData app and the only way to connect my phone to my rower is by sideloading the ancient version of the app that supports it. So that's going to break now?

Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android

#346

Post by IFC_LLC »

This will be just another boost for de-googled phones, alternative platforms and potentially Mobile Linux.

The only reason why google phones became so popular was the fact that they were much less restrictive than iPhones. Thus the platform became the biggest phone platform in the world.

Now they are asking for a new start to arise and take their place.

Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android

#348

Post by skybrian »

EasyMark wrote: post #335
87636899376 wrote: post #14

Official announcement: https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/08/elevating-... More info: https://developer.android.com/developer-verification https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answ... Personally...we all know the Play Store is chock full of malicious garbage, so the verification requirements there don't do jack to protect users. The way I see it, this is nothing but a power grab, a way…

It's never about security (at least not user's security). It's like you pointed out only about power and locking in customers. They don't care if your phone gets hacked or you bank account drained. They care about the bottom line. Android is fine. Google should have 2 layers if they're worried playstore 1 has only well vetted authors and apps. playstore 2 can be the free for all (mostly) of the current store. These c…

This is a drastic response, but they didn't make up the security threat. Attackers convincing users to side-load malware is a thing.

https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/hacker...

Re: Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android

#349

Post by sorrythanks »

Fordec wrote: post #344

Welp, I was euphemistically already not a fan of the developer experience for Android, now it's straight dead to me. No reason to ever touch another day of Kotlin. Come to think of it, why am I even on Android now as a user?

What's the alternative?
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