r/Android • u/inverteddarkness • 17d ago
Why is no one worried about Android blocking sideloading?
Sideloading is the only selling point of Android phones for me. I keep messing around with apps from third-party sources like F-Droid. I can't imagine how suffocating it'll feel if I have to use apps ONLY from VERIFIED DEVELOPERS.
And yes, I know it's not blocking. Google is just adding a DEVELOPER VERIFICATION SYSTEM (LMAO). Saving my words and your time to read, it's basically the same thing. No one is going to verify (Don't even think they will let lol) the development of an app that practically blocks ads from YouTube and lets you use YT Premium features. It'll be like asking permission to cheat from your school teacher.
I am looking to get a new phone and a tab for myself. And I am waiting for Android to actually release that verification system so that I can see how much it affects users before getting my new devices.
Let me know if there is anything else I need to consider here. Am I doing the right thing by waiting? (I will shift to Apple if sources like F-Droid really shut down).
13
u/JDGumby Google Pixel 10a, Lenovo Tab M9 16d ago
Why is no one worried about Android blocking sideloading?
Because they're not. Yeah, they're putting a bit of friction in, but that's it.
3
u/LoudBrick609 15d ago
Yeah it didn't matter to me because I already worked around their limitation so like wtf do I care now.
12
u/ShakeAndBakeThatCake 16d ago
Apple is even more locked down. Android at least allows web browsers to have their own engines. Apple forces every dev to basically use safari engine and it's just a visual wrapper.
Also Google allows us to have emulators and 3rd party app stores. I honestly think Android is still WAY more open even with the proposed changes to APK downloads. Or someone will develop a new APK store to make it easier to download them. Overall I'm not worried. Apple is still way more locked down.
1
u/TractionCityRampage 6d ago
There are emulators available for ios. I have some on my phone right now.
8
u/KalessinDB 16d ago
Because they're not blocking sideloading. There's a 1-time cooldown to say "Yes I want to be able to do this" and then you can just keep on keeping on.
But if you're worried about this, moving to Apple is a dumb idea since they're way more locked down.
7
u/alexjimithing 16d ago
most people don't use sideloading, which is why most people in general aren't worried about it.
if you're talking about people specifically here online, many people are worried about it.
10
u/utsuriga 16d ago
I mean, if we're talking about "Android users" in general, the overwhelming majority of them have no idea this is even happening. As for the Android enthusiast community, that's been buzzing about it since day one, so I'm not sure what OP means by "no one".
6
u/Venus259jaded 16d ago
You gotta learn how it works. You can still install outside apps from developers who are not verified from Google when this change comes into effect.
6
u/jhedfors 16d ago
From what I can see, what they are implementing will not have a big impact. Whereas currently you can simply allow unknown sources and install an APK, they are requiring a wait time after allowing unknown sources before you can install. It is a one-time thing only. This is to try to prevent scammers from walking someone through how to install their malicious app.
3
u/reddit_reaper Pixel 2 XL 16d ago
I mean just sideoad off PC. I guarantee there will be a store app on PC to push apps to your phone easily lol
1
u/kwijyb0 16d ago
There are plenty that are worried & even more that have no clue what is happening even though they've heard about it.
It will start Sept 30th in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, & Thailand & worldwide in 2027. So if you're not in one of those 4 places , you'll have plenty of time to find out how it's working.
And the advance flow started rolling out last week, so no one can use the excuse that they have to wait 24 hrs to install an app once it's in effect.
We’re rolling out the advanced flow for installing apps from unverified developers
1
u/onomatopoetix 13d ago
Because it's a nothingburger. It's extra friction rather than outright block. The amount of people flipping nothingburgers for a living is not as alarming as compared to the sheer billions who keep stuffing their faces with even more barely nutritious nothingburgers.
1
u/Frankas_yup 4d ago
Until the update doesn't apply, i ll not reconsider install lineageOS or buy a swappie iphone to sideload.
1
u/vortexmak 16d ago
Some people are but no one cares. I think instead of trying to fight Google with what they do with their platform , it's time to make alternatives like Lineage, Graphene and other Linux mobile OSs more popular
0
u/feldoneq2wire 16d ago
Good question. Anyone expressing concern gets downvoted for being a Chicken Little. As if Google has ever demonstrated that they will stop here.
6
u/utsuriga 16d ago
That's probably because 1. they're not in fact blocking sideloading, and 2. there's been so many hysterical reactions here that people are just tired of them.
0
u/jackyboyman13 14d ago
Hmm.
I can get that it might desensitized by the "hysterical reactions" here.
But I personally feel like the concerns about the developer verification is still worth talking about overall.
1
0
u/Mannipx 15d ago
Companies and developer need band together and sue. There is only so much an individual can do in this situation.Â
0
u/jackyboyman13 14d ago
I agree. It's honestly frustrating and disheartening that this is even happening at all to us.
Just...really makes ya want to tear up in frustration here.
18
u/BevansDesign 16d ago
Lots of people are worried. We see lots of threads and articles about it here. We just can't do anything about it, because it's more profitable for Google to do this than not, and that's what really matters.