this post was submitted on 13 Nov 2025
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Breaking: Google is easing up on Android's new sideloading restrictions! (www.androidauthority.com)
submitted 2 days ago by popcar2@programming.dev to c/technology@lemmy.world
220 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Google: "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."

Thank god. I would've ditched Android for good if this went through, and while it sounds like it would be annoying for casual users to enable unverified apps, at least we can still install them.

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[–] freeman@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Unfortunatel, even here on Lemmy, that is a not techier/fossier than the mainstream, a lot of people say they will switch to... IOS.

[–] zergtoshi@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'm not saying I'm a fan of that, but at least Apple is upfront about the walled garden they offer and ever has been.
Google started differently, but turned around 180 degrees.

[–] freeman@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

That does not make sense. Even in the worse scenarios Android would be more open than Apple and there would be Android options unaffected by this. Not many and not the most mainstream, though certainly more so than non-Android Linux phones.

But compared to a picking a non-Android Linux phone it makes even less sense. Unfortunately it's true.

[–] zergtoshi@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I have a more pessimistic view of bad scenarios.
Combine Google Play Integrity checks with being unable to install apps except they're from the Play Store and you are at the whim of Google.
Right now I'm battling an app provider (of an app I rely on) who decided to start Play Integrity check shenanigans, although that's in violation with their TOS. I know about not so great scenarios already. My alternative would be to cave and forfeit GrapheneOS, which I'm not willing to do.
We. need. Linuxphones!

[–] freeman@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I agree that Play integrity is a huge problem and a way for Google to maintain control of Android.

However a Linux phone wouldn't solve that at least in the beginning.

The devs who don't allow apps to run on devices that do not pass Play integrity are unlikely to make a Linux phone app.

[–] zergtoshi@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

You're unfortunately right that a Linux phone wouldn't solve these problems and I'm with you that devs who bend the knee to Google have no interest in providing a Linux phone version - at least for the foreseeable future.
Once there's a considerable market share for Linux phones (which may never be the case...), those users are potential customers and the tides will shift.
Until then it would at least provide a portable computer that can do a lot of the things current smartphones are capable of, but without the restrictions created by Google and Apple.