So, I will no longer be allowed to install APKs that aren’t from the Play Store? I thought they backed down on that.
not just play store it’s worse, if the developer didn’t pay to google and give ID to Google, no-one can install that app
Right now the best solution is using custom ROMs
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A lot of people reported that they did. I don’t know why. Nothing in their statement said that. They did say they were going to add some “advanced workflows” but didn’t elaborate anymore than that. It says it right in the link in OP:
Update: Google has not “backed down” from developer verification: Contrary to a vague mention of a possible “advanced flow” that may eventually allow “experienced users to accept the risks of installing software that isn’t verified”, Google’s description of the program continues to state plainly that: “Starting in September 2026, Android will require all apps to be registered by verified developers in order to be installed on certified Android devices”. Until such time that they have shown evidence that it will be possible to bypass the verification process without undue friction, we must believe what is stated on their official page: that all apps from non-registered developers will be blocked once their lock-down goes into effect.
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FuckGoogle
Use Custom ROMs with MicroG
Here is active and good custom ROMs
LineageOS (many devices) e/os (many devices) crDroid (many devices) GrapheneOS (only pixel)
I just got my fairphone! It feels so free!
that’s just it, they’re targeting custom ROMs with this too. the number of security updates for AOSP is being cut by Google in order to make custom ROMs less secure, so that they can then close down the project while claiming it’s to protect users. make no mistake, the end goal here is make everyone who uses Android have to do so on their terms.
it’s why Linux phones being mainstream is an absolute priority.
the number of security updates for AOSP is being cut by Google in order to make custom ROMs less secure
Please don’t spread misinformation. Google didn’t cut security updates. You can still get monthly security updates on Custom ROMs.
Also it’s just on certified devices
Starting next year, Android will require all apps to be registered by verified developers in order to be installed by users on certified Android devices. source
https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/27068-grapheneos-security-preview-releases
This is probably where they got the 3 month number. It is fuckery and they are making the lives of custom rom developers more difficult than they need to be.
Here is a good information from LineageOS;
Over the last few years, AOSP has been shifting to a quarterly release cadence, meaning that new features and bug fixes are released every three months. link
misinformation and grapheneos, again?
https://www.androidauthority.com/android-risk-based-security-updates-3597466/
They’re not releasing the list of vulnerabilities each month but instead doing it quarterly, so how are custom ROM devs supposed to patch vulnerabilities if google isn’t reporting them to manufacturers and developers like they’ve done for over a decade now?
You are a slave
Wow you’re completely full of shit aren’t you
what do you mean?
Good news on the GrapheneOS front: Graphene will be available on hardware other than Pixels.
I like my Pixel 6 Pro just fine, but I’m nonetheless thrilled about this.https://piunikaweb.com/2026/02/02/grapheneos-non-pixel-hardware-announcement/
My girlfriend and I both need new phones from her failing and buggy Samsung A52 and my Xperia 5ii. We are not going Samsung anymore because they are putting unremovable Israeli spyware baked into their devices, fairphone 6 still seems very buggy and we had a friend with a fairphone 4 with 99 problems with it, and I don’t want to give google money and we want SD card slots instead of almost no memory to force cloud subscriptions.
2027 is starting to be a big ask though.
good but I don’t have couple months
Refurbished Pixels can be cheap nowadays. I got a Pixel 8a for less than 300 euros in great condition.
That’s just the announcement. The devices won’t be ready till 2027. 😖
So, I guess this means that f-droid can only be installed via Google Play. /s
I’m getting flashbacks to using Internet Explorer to install Firefox.
edit: made sarcasm more obvious.
This is only fuel on the EU open source initiatives.
But I’m pretty sure Google wont get away with locking down EU customers anyway, as this is clearly a breach of the DMA.
They could clam a web app is the “alternative” I guess.
They’ll shut that down too. Somehow. For “security” I’m sure, even as the Play Store is infested with scam apps.
Play Store is infested with scam apps
Last time when I checked most of the apps was scam
They mandate 3rd party app stores. I think we are passed that.
Google is just power grapping what they can towards everyone else to make up for lost profit.
this is clearly a breach of the DMA
Is it? I think the DMA should have been written so that it is, but Apple does essentially the same thing and EU regulators don’t seem to be claiming that it’s a violation.
They mandate 3rd party app stores for Apple also. You can “side load” in the EU on an iPhone.
And have you seen Apples rules for app stores? Its pathetic that EU allows it.
i was gonna try turning a steam deck into all-in-one device including phone, with portable GSM router of whatever i’d to use it for calls (it does have a mic, right?)
not sure if/how that’ll work out
You could feasibly replace the m.2 SSD with one of these bad boys: https://ebay.us/m/JgLTUU
You would have to then boot from SD card, not sure if that’s supported. There are also docks with extra m.2 slots.
I’m reading that the steam deck has 8 pcie lanes. Theoretically there are plenty of possibilities for expansion (at a cost to portability and practicality).
This… is intriguing
Locked down platforms don’t have opt outs for the locks. Though it is a concerning move in the wrong direction.
What opt outs are you referring to? Installing an alternative OS?
Not sure if you’ve been following but the app lockdown does not prevent you from installing apps. You can opt out of the controls they are implementing. They backtracked after the outrage. The information on that website is not entirely correct.
Did you actually read the link? They address this in a big red box:
Update: Google has not “backed down” from developer verification
Contrary to a vague mention of a possible “advanced flow” that may eventually allow “experienced users to accept the risks of installing software that isn’t verified”, Google’s description of the program continues to state plainly that:
Starting in September 2026, Android will require all apps to be registered by verified developers in order to be installed on certified Android devices
Until such time that they have shown evidence that it will be possible to bypass the verification process without undue friction, we must believe what is stated on their official page: that all apps from non-registered developers will be blocked once their lock-down goes into effect.
You can always install with adb.
That’s not my understanding.
Yeah but theyre obviously gonna try again once everyone has move on
Yup, which is why we have to be diligent and prepared. But false information doesn’t solve that issue because you get dismissed.
They didn’t fully backtrack. They haven’t given details but there are still questions about what “advanced flow” means and whether it’ll involve Google spying on what people install. Even if they backed off the worst part of it, this is still monopolist, anti-consumer, and likely privacy-violating behavior, and the correct action isn’t to go “eh they compromise a little so I’ll shut up and eat my slop”
Was that supposed to refute what I said? Because it didn’t.
Not sure if you’ve been following but there’s no way to opt out. They did not backtrack on anything, despite widespread erroneous reporting. If you click the OP, it says as much. If you have a source that shows they did, please share it because I’d love to read it.
Here’s Google’s official blog where they back off from complete lockdown
Android Developers Blog: Android developer verification: Early access starts now as we continue to build with your feedback https://share.google/5jCv5uDMFcFnc11UN
that’s not backing down at all. they speak of a possible workflow, but they don’t say you’ll be able to install unverified apps. they still say they’ll require it, in fact.
Starting in September 2026, Android will require all apps to be registered by verified developers in order to be installed on certified Android devices
Empowering experienced users
While security is crucial, we’ve also heard from developers and power users who have a higher risk tolerance and want the ability to download unverified apps.
Based on this feedback and our ongoing conversations with the community, we are building a new advanced flow that allows experienced users to accept the risks of installing software that isn’t verified. We are designing this flow specifically to resist coercion, ensuring that users aren’t tricked into bypassing these safety checks while under pressure from a scammer. It will also include clear warnings to ensure users fully understand the risks involved, but ultimately, it puts the choice in their hands. We are gathering early feedback on the design of this feature now and will share more details in the coming months.
Did you actually read it? That’s not what it says at all.
I mean what they pasted here sure sounds like that us what it says.
Sure did. Did you?
"Empowering experienced users
While security is crucial, we’ve also heard from developers and power users who have a higher risk tolerance and want the ability to download unverified apps.
Based on this feedback and our ongoing conversations with the community, we are building a new advanced flow that allows experienced users to accept the risks of installing software that isn’t verified. We are designing this flow specifically to resist coercion, ensuring that users aren’t tricked into bypassing these safety checks while under pressure from a scammer. It will also include clear warnings to ensure users fully understand the risks involved, but ultimately, it puts the choice in their hands. We are gathering early feedback on the design of this feature now and will share more details in the coming months. "
As I said earlier, only a vague mention of an “advanced flow” that’s still in the works. Nothing saying they are no longer going to require distributors to register with Google, but it does say that they will require it on Google’s own website:
Starting in September 2026, Android will require all apps to be registered by verified developers in order to be installed on certified Android devices
Why you are spamming?
Do you know how to read? Do you know how to click links?
If you do you would see this in this page https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/08/elevating-android-security.html
Starting next year, Android will require all apps to be registered by verified developers in order to be installed by users on certified Android devices.
I could ask the same.
Each individual asked for the evidence, I presented it.
you can only do that if you use a custom ROM
but on official ROM, no you can’t
You are getting shit on in this thread, but all you are doing is showing what was said by the company. If they say sideloading is going to stay, then I would go with that until they don’t. I’m a find out before you freak out kind of person, but it seems there’s a lot of freak out and no find out here.
Heads firmly up asses all around, it’s like a discussion with MAGA.
No such “backing down” to speak of there
All Google has said is that “it’s not a sideloading restriction, but an ‘Accountability Layer.’ Advanced users will be able to’Install without verifying,’ but expect a high-friction flow designed to help users understand the risks.”
That quote comes from the director of product management from Google Play. It has not been altered or deleted since posted.
Again, a bunch of vague nonsensical horseshit. That sounds like their previous strategy where they said you could use adb, which is completely unrealistic, and is 1000% a sideloading restriction.
Time to finally move to GrapheneOS. Hope they finish polishing it, including things like automated backups. I’m going to donate to them. They have consistently proved themselves to be a legitimate project.
GrapheneOS is ok but the people behind don’t have good reputation on open-source; They smear F-Droid, Firefox, Linux even uBlock Origin https://lemmy.zip/post/59060122
Yes, well, everything they say about F-Droid and Firefox is more or less true.
They have an amazing reputation on open source. I think you’re conflating reputation on open source with reputation because of their willingness to understand & criticize issues with some other open source products. The issues with F-Droid’s security model have long been known & discussed by other prominent developers. It is why Obtanium has become increasingly popular. Heck, it is even mentioned on Privacy Guides. Their criticism towards Firefox is to my knowledge more specific to the Android security model & the reality is that Chromium provides significantly better sandboxing there. That isn’t an attack on Firefox itself but design choices or lack or commitment to the fundamentals, which Mozilla has routinely engaged in with Pocket, reselling Mullvad while breaking their browser support for tab container VPN integration if a user has Mullvad installed, their recent AI push, etc. But again they are specifically evaluating & criticizing the security or technical decisions in such instances. Likewise, it is fair to hate on Manifestat v3 used in newer Chrome extensions because not all the v2 features were supported out of the box, but there is no question that the security model in Manifest v2 was significantly worse & would be very easy for a malicious developer to have intercepted & logged all the requests. Manifest v3 solves that & they have uBlock Origin Lite now. I hope to see further improvements in this area. But criticizing the decisions of an open source project, especially as it pertains to security, does not make them anti-open source.
F-Droid’s security model has long been known and discussed by other prominent developers.
Yeah, by privsec.dev (which is owned by a GrapheneOS employee and ex-developer: akc3n and TommyTran732),
and madaidan (who is a GrapheneOS fan),
and Privacy Guides (there are many GrapheneOS developers in this project).
Just give me up-to-date information about F-Droid from someone not related to GrapheneOS.
They have uBlock Origin Lite now.
Yeah, a handicapped version of uBlock Origin.
And you really believe that they killed V2 for security? If you do, I have a cheap bridge for you.
But criticizing the decisions of an open-source project
If they smear projects that are a real choice for quitting Google and Microsoft (which are F-Droid, Firefox, and Linux), of course I’ll criticize.
What Google has been doing to Android the past few years puts the future of Graphene in jeopardy. Especially with closing off third-party access to the binary blobs needed to enable newer Pixel hardware.
Is it possible to try Graphene out, like dual booting on PCs? Without throwing the existing Android setup away or bricking it?
Yes, but I don’t know if it works with grapheneos. You can live-boot an image with
fastboot boot boot.img. You need the grapheneos img file obviously, and a working fastboot connection, and an unlocked bootloader. Usually unlocking the bootloader means wiping the device before you can do anything else though.If you have a pixel, grapheneos should work just fine. Except adding payment cards to Google wallet (non-payment cards and digital tickets work fine though). Some apps may refuse to work on uncertified devices. RCS support depends on your carrier. Outside of those things, though, literally everything else I’ve done has worked.
