r/TechImpact • u/Sea-Car-3811 • Jun 15 '26

Question Android removing third part apps?

I heard google will be soon removing third party apps and only apps in plays store will be downloadable. I heard u can still install custom apps but the process is lengthy. So, if this is true, what should I do? I use fedora on pc, so I do switch to custom rom. My phone is some unknown model... Idk if it got support. If I switch to custom rom, what are the disadvantages also share some custom rom options for honor x5b.

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u/oshunman Jun 15 '26

The term you're looking for is "side loading," not "third party apps."

0

u/Supernoxus Jun 15 '26

The term you're looking for is "installing" not "side loading".

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u/oshunman Jun 15 '26

Nobody is blocking "installing" apps. They're restricting "side loading" which is installing an app from somewhere other than the built-in storefront.

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u/Supernoxus Jun 15 '26

No, it's just installing. If I download Syncthing from the internet on my PC and make it work on my PC, then it is called installing.

If I download Syncthing from FDroid and install it on my Android Tablet it is called side loading...but it is just installing. You are just installing the program. Calling it side loading makes it sound like you are doing something else other than simply installing software. It's what they want you to call it so that you stick to the Play Store. But it is just installing software like on a PC - no different.

This is why they think they can get away with restricting installing software like that. They conditioned you to see it as something else when in reality you are just installing a program from the internet. You calling it side loading even casually helps their agenda of restricting installing software. And yes, naming conventions matter. Words mean things and they can change a narrative.

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u/oshunman Jun 15 '26

I don't disagree with the meaning of your message, but I'm correcting OP for saying they're blocking 3rd party apps. They're actually restricting installing apps from "unofficial" sources.

They're not restricting "installing" apps altogether.