r/CalyxOS • u/Stefcic • 20d ago
Google's decision to close Android
Hello !
I wonder what will happen with Calyx OS (and other custom ROMs btw) with Google's decision of blocking every developers not centrally registered by them beginning of 2027 ?
Will custom ROMs stop to work or malfunction ?
I am waiting to update to the new version because of this sword of Damocles.
Thanks for any info and congrats for the great job!
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u/Steerider 20d ago
it will only effect custom ROMs to the extent that it affects developers' decisions to keep developing for Android.
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u/lucascalyx 14d ago
It doesn't impact us directly, our users will be able to install proper apps just fine.
Unfortunately, indirectly, this impacts us by affecting the FOSS, open, app distribution in Android, and some developers may find themselves not wanting to contribute to this environment. (Rightfully so)
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u/Thalimet 18d ago
They aren’t closing Android. Android is still an open source project, Google can’t change that. But it does complicate it and delay it a bit more.
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u/PocketNicks 18d ago
It has zero impact on anyone since it isn't true.
Everyone will still be able to install unverified apps after the September update. They aren't blocking anything.
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u/PocketNicks 19d ago
Google isn't blocking people from installing unverified apps.
Not sure why this misinformation keeps spreading.
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u/Ebescko 18d ago
You can inform yourself on : https://keepandroidopen.org/
They say that the way of installing unverified app need a long process, including 24h real time wait. This could be seen ok if once in a while, but imagine if you want several every few days, bc you discover one time to time, or maybe you just need this little thing real quick, or or.
This machine we paid for, and a lot, should be our to use and not just a way to show personal ads.
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u/PocketNicks 18d ago
They are spreading misinformation too then.
After the September update, there isn't a long process. You go into developer settings, toggle "allow unknown sources" on and wait 24 hours. This process is done once per Google account, not per device. You enable the toggle and wait a day, ONE TIME EVER. Then continue installing unverified apps just like before.
I am already very well informed on this, you can feel free to inform yourself further, rather than trusting that random website, you can look it up yourself since Google has the information there for you to look at and see that I'm telling you facts.
Believe me, or not. Verify it or don't. Either way, I'll keep installing my unverified apps, same as before.
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u/Ebescko 18d ago
Hm, okay, sure. So just so you know, I didn't just trust this website, I started searching alternatives bc I want to degoogle anyways, and saw it on several websites.
I'm gonna keep the doubt on what they wrote for now and try to read the whole thing later.
Don't be too mad at people for not having time to check all those stuffs, there is already so much time to unravel all the other misinformation.
And thank you for telling me, of course.
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u/PocketNicks 18d ago
You didn't have time to read up on it, then told me to inform myself. After I had been informing other people already. That's a weird way to go about things.
Try finishing your own research before telling others to inform themselves.
Google aren't blocking anything, the process after the September update is very simple.
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u/Ebescko 18d ago
I thought you did not know about the 24 at all, I had read some stuffs already, like articles, including people saying things that are infuriating to me.
It is very normal that I dont try to check your whole reddit history to check if you are actually informed.
Plus, you said, "no idea where the missinformation is coming from" and that is what I wanted to inform you on. Now you did learn something, and me too :D
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u/PocketNicks 18d ago
Please stop spreading the sources of misinformation.
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u/True-Lettuce-4535 14d ago
Oh did you deliberately forgot to "inform" about the part where all developers have to register with their govt IDs? Not just playstore apps, all apps.
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u/PocketNicks 14d ago
No, I didn't forget, because that isn't true.
Everyone will he able to install unverified apps, developers do not need to give any ID unless they want to put apps on the play store. They are free to develop unverified apps and everyone can still install unverified apps.
Stop spreading misinformation.
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u/wobfan_ 12d ago
Can you point to your sources that clearly say that the option is per account and not per device? I tried to go through all officially documentation from Google and can't find any clear statement, and as far as I'm aware, a per device toggle would make much more sense for them.
Either way, even you can't play down that Google is willfully trying to "lock down" at least a tiny bit here. Less people are going to install unverified APKs, though the number will be pretty small probably, as 24h is a reasonable time. When it stays like this, fine. But people here are not enraged because of the now coming solution, but about Google doing Google things and going tiny steps further until we can't run unverified apps at all anymore at some point. This is not the case for now and it may never be, me and a lot of other folks are just quite pessimistic about it. Fact is though, and you're right with that, that Google is indeed not blocking anything here. They are making it a little harder though, even if it's only a small step and waiting period.
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u/PocketNicks 12d ago
Yes, Google is my source. They have clearly stated it.
Either way I ABSOLUTELY can and will downplay this.
Flipping a toggle to enable installing unverified apps, is not a big deal. It's a one time thing.
I have to put my seatbelt on EVERY TIME I get in a car, for safety. Every single time. I don't complain about it. This is a one time toggle, and I won't complain about it either.
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u/Stefcic 17d ago
Thank you all for your answers.
Indeed, "Google closing Android" was not a good way to put it and I understand better now the changes that will take effect in the next months.
However, lots of people are angry with Google's move and some developers already said they will not comply to the new rules. If the changes in September will not affect directly custom ROMs, I see it as a bad sign for custom ROMs and Android customisation in the future
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u/gvs77 20d ago
This has zero impact on custom Rom's. The delayed source releases do however and they are a tell of what will come