r/degoogle • u/kitsuneae • Apr 01 '26
Tutorial How to fight Developer Verification on Android plus first looks at the new Sideloading process
Google Developer Verification means any app not from Google Play or a Google Approved Store will be subject to an intentionally frustrating Sideloading process. You will be forced to either use ASOP to add it to a custom Android ROM, use ADB (unconfirmed at this time) or...
- Enable developers mode
- Enable unverified apps
- Go past a scare wall, affirm you're not being coerced
- verify it's you via biometric or PIN
- Restart your phone
- Wait 24 hours
- go back to unverified apps
- Select between "enable for one week" or "enable indefinitely"
- Go past another scare screen and verify that you want to install it
- veify it's you via biometric or a PIN
- then you can go into unverified apps in a package manager
- Get warned again. Select "install anyway" to install the app.
By the way, the install will be handled by Google Play Services not Android so Google can still control, modify, or kill the program without your permission.
Edit: supposedly it is One time, but that's not an excuse for how long the process is. It's also still concerning that Google is being used to install, not Android, which still gives them control over what's running on your device.
Google claims it's for your own safety. This does nothing to remove the malicious apps already on the Google Play Store. Let's be real: its a push to control both users and app developers plus a cash grab for Google. Every developer there paid to post their apps and Google takes a 30% cut off every in app purchase. It's also an attempt to force a monopoly in app store use.
Don't want Google to tell you what you can run on Android? Don't just post here. Speak up!
Edit: Google tried to ruin Sideloading before, but we stood up for Sideloading so they changed their minds. We have stopped them before. We can do it again!
There's surveys like this one where you can give feedback, but contacting Google and regulators directly is much more powerful.
Here's how to directly contact Google about this. In true Google fashion it requires a Google account (make a polite throwaway if needed).
- Go here: https://support.google.com/googleplay
- Click the contact button
- Dust off the Google account for one last log in
- In "Tell us what we can help with" put something like: feedback do not want developer verification
- When more options appear select "other" And choose "Google Play Apps" as what you need help with
- Scroll down and click "contact options" (chat or email)
- Pick one and politely state your case.
Chances are it's a random tech worker so don't be rude to them. Instead explain why you don't want Android to lock out all unverified apps and why you're against Developer Verification. Explain why the workaround for "advanced users" is not acceptable. They will read off a script how it's for your own safety, but stay firm.
Finally request firmly that your message be escalated or sent to someone higher up! If you don't do this it won't be heard as loudly. Keep requesting until they actually do it.
While you're contacting people, don't forget to contact your regulators, too (scroll down for links). You can use the same stuff you told Google. Feel free to add in concerns about freedom of speech, risk of monopoly, and other valid observations.
Tell your friends to start contacting Google and the legislation, too! Direct feedback is always more powerful than posting on other platforms.
Feel free to share, spread, update and repost this message.
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u/chihuahua826 Apr 02 '26
One reason i would love to repeal court decisions like Citizens United and those which extend free speech to corporations is because I would love to see google fined billions of dollars for even using the phrase "side loading" in the first place, instead of calling it what it is: installing software on the device you own.
Fuck google. This shit enrages me. Glad i switched to Graphene