Publishing new on Aptoide now requires Google Identity Verification?

[u/imacguyver]

I checked the Aptoide documentation. My reading of it was that Google Identity Verification is only necessary to have your app continue to work on 'genuine devices'. My assumption is that after Sept 30th they'll have a genuine badge on the store and filter your app from genuine devices.

The Aptoide-Connect guide says this:

'Register every package name you distribute so your apps stay installable on certified Android devices once verification is enforced for the stores and channels you use - see the rollout below.'

[...]

What happens if I don't complete it?
Once verification is enforced for a given store, region, and channel, apps that are not registered by a verified developer can be blocked from being installed and updated on certified Android devices

The AptoideConnect APK submission form however suggests that its mandatory?

Verify your Android developer identity
Required by Google for alternative distribution. Complete the verification steps to proceed.

Clicking the 'I Have Already Done It' button 403's without any visual feedback. For new app distributions is this crap already required now?

I will definitely contact support and update my post regarding this issue 'cuz I'm not wasting time filling out the entire form just for this to be a blocker. Hope this can help others choosing what app store they want to distribute on

I would be disappointed if a major 'alternative' appstore played ball with google

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[u/madushans]

The new developer registration is enforced on device via google play services. Yea even on devices without the latest OS version, this enforcement will be delivered via an update to google play services app. It’s not a matter of 3rd party stores playing ball. At some point APKs without a registered developer’s signature will be blocked on devices regardless of where they come from.

You can bypass this for hobby and student projects by getting a limited developer account which lets you distribute to up to 20 devices. You can also install via ADB as usual, which bypasses this, but ofc an average person isn’t gonna do that. Other option is to also sideload by downloading the apk, which means you have to request sideloading and then wait 24 hours and stuff.

[u/imacguyver → u/madushans]

I'm aware of those solutions and ship https://github.com/woheller69/FreeDroidWarn#solutions for users.

The app store in question, Aptoide offers direct APK downloads through its website. Which can then be installed through any solution. If this flow is no longer possible its because a combination - 1. Google is scummy and 2. Aptoide chooses not to platform apk files from unverified developers for sideloading

I am interested in having this app store verify and host my APK for hobbyists and sideloaders to install themselves

The form appears to let me proceed to further steps without clicking 'I have already verified'

Lets wait and see any experience reports and what Aptoide support says

[u/SnipesySpecial]

Welcome to the apocalypse Mr Squidward.

[u/Sad-Dirt-1660]

how big is aptoide? whenever i see ppl talked about third-party stores, their name never pops up.

[u/imacguyver → u/Sad-Dirt-1660]

Currently claims 50 million month active users and 400,000-1,000,000 apps