- Does this mean sideloading is going away on Android?
Absolutely not. Sideloading is fundamental to Android and it is not going away. Our new developer identity requirements are designed to protect users and developers from bad actors, not to limit choice. We want to make sure that if you download an app, it’s truly from the developer it claims to be published from, regardless of where you get the app. Verified developers will have the same freedom to distribute their apps directly to users through sideloading or through any app store they prefer.
- Making APKs available to your test team
If your team’s current test process relies on distributing APKs to testers for installation using methods other than adb, you will need to verify your identity and register the package. This also applies if you make APKs available to your test teams through Google Play Internal Testing, Firebase App Distribution, or similar solutions through other distribution partners.
- Do I still need to register my apps if I’m only distributing to a limited number of users?
We recommend you register. It’s a simple, one-time process that will allow anyone to download and install your app. However, if you prefer not to, we are also introducing a free developer account type that will allow teachers, students, and hobbyists to distribute apps to a limited number of devices without needing to provide a government ID.
- What can I do to prepare for developer verification?
The best way to get ready and stay updated is to sign up for early access. We’ll start sending invitations in October.
We recommend you participate in developer verification because, even though verification is not required to develop apps with Android Studio, you will need it to distribute apps to certified Android devices. Apps installed through enterprise management tools on managed devices will also be installable without being registered.
Fuck you, Google.
how does one start repressions and censorship? by saying “it’s for your own safety”
Year of the Linux phone.
You could do what I did and let them know via feedback that you’ll be leaving for Apple since its the same thing now.
I won’t actually be going to apple, but to a linuxphone, but saying Apple is probably going to have more impact so I went with that.
Edit: This is feedback to them linked in that page.
If you have a dev account, I recommend using it to give them feedback.
Getting off with just a wrist slap on their monopoly trial has embolden them. They think they’re untouchable now. I wouldn’t be surprised they have a backroom deal with the feds too.
It’s the whole “if a fine is less than the profit, the fine is just considered a cost of business.”
Given the current corrupt and invulnerable administration, absolutely.
If this is adopted, soon github would require your SSN for writing hello world.
They already have it but it’s Microsoft, so yes
- Does this mean sideloading is going away on Android?
No, but we have to approve it.
FTFY.
Or alternatively:
- Does this mean unverified sideloading is going away on Android?
Yes
Yeah this sucks. And right after I made an app for the first time and everything
Yeah, fuck that noise. They know exactly that this is the problem.
After all that outcry. They only wrote about devs demanding longer. Conveniently ignoring fdroid’s post among others.
Even for hobby projects you would be required to create a limited developer account and submit government identification if you want to distribute apps to a larger audience.
If you want to distribute an app to a larger audience you should be willing to do so. Sure you could say it’s everyone’s personal risk installing an unsigned app on their phone, but making these people compile the app themselves isn’t too much to ask for. Tools to automate this to the max will appear.
What kind of nonsense is this?
Go on, lick some more boots.
Couldn’t you get around it with ADB?
Yes, but there’s no guarantee that remains true.
How about let me know if the apk is from a verified publisher or show me “unknown publisher” and let me decide do i put it into my device.
It’s for your safety! No choice! Only safety!!
“security” my ass
I’ve been thinking about strategies to get Google to back down on this. And I think the most viable strategy is to let them know that we will all move to iOS if they go through with it. If they lock down their OS, then we might as well use the OG locked down OS and turn to Apple. We only have to make this convincing enough.
I don’t want to go to the dark side either. But as the light is going out on this side: I’m gonna need a new phone within the next 12-18 months. For the first time since ditching my blackberry I’m thinking about switching again. And for the first time ever I’m seriously thinking about an iPhone. All my purchases and what not be dammed. LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO, GOOGLE!
TLDR:
Yes.
I know I will get downvoted for this opinion, but I like this.
Developers who decided not to use Play Store can still do so, but are required to identify themselves. I get that not everyone is willing to do this, but there still is a free way to compile apps yourself and put it on your phone.
I am a developer myself and I have published apps for iOS and Android in the past and this process still is way easier than anything an iOS developer has to do to just install an app on his personal phone.
They’re taking away a BIG freedom in android, which is installing apps from wherever you want, however you want, and when you want.
And google play itself has WAY MORE malware than all FOSS sources combined.
Do you reconsider now?
You’ll get downvotes because this is just rationalizing kow-towing to Google.
There’s no technical, nor security reasoning to rationalize this.
What if they refuse to approve your developer identity application? Now you can’t sideload the app you developed for personal use.
