Google Play Store removing peer-to-peer app ‘Share’ functionality

@GreenEngineering3475 · 2 days ago

Google Play Store removing peer-to-peer app ‘Share’ functionality

@[email protected] · 2 days ago

Hey look, Google killed something that could be great rather than spending time making it work. How novel…

Otter · edit-2 2 days ago

Sounds like they want everyone to download directly from the Play store, and not in a way they can’t control?

Same trend as the official OS only apps, overzealous ‘Play Protect’, etc.

You can still use Files by Google to share Android applications in a similar manner. Under Categories, go to “Apps” and then the overflow menu for what you want to “Share.”

A lot of other apps still support it, including FOSS ones, unless the play app did something extra?

For example

SD Maid SE: App Control > Export App
Kvaesitso: long tap > 3 dot menu > Share app
F-Droid for all of their apps

@[email protected] · edit-2 2 days ago

This feels like preperation for enforcing backdoored chat apps to me. The EU has been pushing for this for years now and eventually it will happen. When the time comes it will most likely come with laws that force google to make sideloading impossible to prevent people from using backdoor free apps.

All while other parts of the EU are actively supporting sideloading and FOSS. Its such a clown world we live in.

deadcatbounce · 2 days ago

This. The share is an easy way to get the package id without installing a package manager; just grab the last parameter.

@[email protected] · edit-2 3 hours ago

The package name is visible in App info, no need to install anything - just long press the app icon, pick App info and scroll down to version

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