Google details new 24-hour process to sideload unverified Android apps • Hacker News Board

Re: Google details new 24-hour process to sideload unverified Android apps

#981

Post by al_borland » Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 4:34 AM UTC

xp84 wrote: post #887

al_borland wrote: post #579

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I hate this pop-up so much. I don’t even have Chrome installed on my phone. How about open up on the only browser I have installed… This kind of thing should be illegal. The default browser is the default for a reason, to avoid this kind of stuff. I think I’ve reported this as a bug to Google a couple times, in a couple different apps… as they do it in their other apps too. The only thing that bothers me more are the…

The funny thing is that until like 2024 iOS actually HAD no default browser control, so this kind of thing was a huge help for people who wanted to use Chrome against Apple’s monopolistic wishes. Of course it’s fair to argue that it should be eliminated now. The commenter who mourned the web view option also has a good point, but tbh that ought to just be asked once and then live in settings.

Even when it had no default browser, it should only prompt for Chrome when a user has Chrome installed. I do not.

In addition, it should remember the setting forever and not keep prompting every couple months.

This is not a good faith attempt to let a user open a link in their browser of choice, it’s a push to get users to download and use Chrome. I can only assume users with Chrome as their default browser don’t get this needless slide-in.

Re: Google details new 24-hour process to sideload unverified Android apps

#982

Post by rbits » Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 6:20 AM UTC

NoahZuniga wrote: post #354

headsman771 wrote: post #237

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why do you keep harping on about ADB installs. That's not helpful. It doesn't help me install open source apps from FDroid. It's ridiculous that you think booting up a computer and using ADB is a reasonable workaround. It isn't.

You would be able to install f droid and it's apps without going through this flow.

No. F-Droid builds the apps on their server, and they cannot sign the apps with the developer's keys because that would require them to have access to the developers' Google accounts

Re: Google details new 24-hour process to sideload unverified Android apps

#983

Post by aerzen » Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 7:16 AM UTC

Could the title say "process to install non-curated Android apps"? "Sideload" and "unverified" imply that the collection of centrally approved apps is the default way to install software.

Or maybe it is and android's promises about openness are dead.

Re: Google details new 24-hour process to sideload unverified Android apps

#984

Post by hollow-moe » Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 7:27 AM UTC

ceejayoz wrote: post #538

semolino wrote: post #524

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Being able to decide yourself the software that is allowed to run on the hardware you own.

But you have that ability. There's a one-off 24 hour wait. You have a similar wait if you get it shipped to you from Amazon. Is the instant gratification essential ?

Until they alter the deal. And pray they don't alter it further. Being unable to see possible evolutions but talking about "instant gratification" is a beautiful contradiction.

Re: Google details new 24-hour process to sideload unverified Android apps

#985

Post by OrangeMusic » Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 7:43 AM UTC

MishaalRahman wrote: post #960

OrangeMusic wrote: post #931

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you answer this question: If you install F-Droid via ADB, can F-Droid then install the apps from its catalog?

If you enable the advanced flow as described in the linked Android Developers Blog, then you can install any unregistered app, which includes those distributed by app stores like F-Droid.

Sorry if I wasn't clear, my question was about using adb so I don't have to do this process (so I don't have to wait 24h).

Buy a new phone, install F-Droid via adb, install F-Droid apps (the same day): is that possible?

Re: Google details new 24-hour process to sideload unverified Android apps

#986

Post by 4k93n2 » Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 9:27 AM UTC

Kwpolska wrote: post #309

torben-friis wrote: post #210

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Having to wait a day for a one off isn't a big deal It's my phone. It's my software. Period. The general population is deterred by burying a setting deep. Waiting is a dark pattern and we're not idiots.

Scammers can coerce people into ignoring warnings if they convince them their entire life savings are on the line. It's hard to do if you need to wait 24 hours before the setting unlocks.

i would say its actually very easy. if someone doesnt have the smarts to know they are being scammed in the first place then not much is going to change in 24 hours when the scammers call back. the only hope is that this person mentions the call to someone else in the meantime

Re: Google details new 24-hour process to sideload unverified Android apps

#987

Post by nxtbl » Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 9:37 AM UTC

MishaalRahman wrote: post #334

nxtbl wrote: post #182

Earlier quoted context omitted.

3) And how can we keep on using F-Droid and other app stores? 4) How can we install apps made by devs who won't do the verification dance with Google?

Developers who distribute Android apps on other app stores are not strictly required to undergo verification and thus can remain anonymous, but if they choose not to, then later this year (when the enforcement of verification goes active) their apps can only be installed on certified Android devices via ADB and/or the new advanced flow. Thus, you can still install unregistered apps if they're distributed via F-Droid…

From https://keepandroidopen.org/ :

"As of the date of this update, it exists only as a blog post and UI mockups. The community is being asked to accept a product announcement as a functional safeguard five months before the mandate takes effect."

"Until Google provides a shipping implementation that can be independently verified, our position remains unchanged: all apps from non-registered developers will be blocked once their lockdown goes into effect in September 2026."

Re: Google details new 24-hour process to sideload unverified Android apps

#988

Post by BrandoElFollito » Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 9:38 AM UTC

This is what I have with my bank. I need to wait 24h after adding a new recipient for wire transfers.

Being treated as a toddler by an organization that is itself completely disfunctional is mzking me angry.

Re: Google details new 24-hour process to sideload unverified Android apps

#989

Post by zajio1am » Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 5:13 PM UTC

stavros wrote: post #867

irae wrote: post #847

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Fast forward, and a few years from now, developers will have to sign their app with some EU bureau, otherwise it won't install anywhere. It's a choice about from whom come the restrictions. I don't like how much EU mandates and regulates hardware and software. It is about 20% helpful and 80% garbage regulations so far.

I voted for the EU representatives more directly than I voted for Google.

I could easily change mobile phone OS to ungoogled one (e.g. LineageOS) or fully Linux, than changing jurisdiction to non-EU.

Re: Google details new 24-hour process to sideload unverified Android apps

#990

Post by mvdwoord » Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 5:53 PM UTC

alpineidyll3 wrote: post #980

I actually was kinda looking for a reason to give up phones. Thanks google.

Unfortunately for making and spending my money, I am forced to have a phone. Either Android or Apple. I need my authenticators for work, banking apps etc. Will consider graphene os, not sure if it supports all the things I need. Otherwise I will get the cheapest iphone, only install required stuff and get a nice small laptop to carry around. Unfortunately I need to be reachable by phone (elder care) and dumb phones I think do not support authenticators/banking apps?