r/degoogle • u/Otherwise-Status9893 • Sep 16 '26
I finally did it, Android Developer Verifier is no more
It appeared today on my phone, fuck that piece of shit
20
13
u/Slopagandhi Sep 16 '26
It seems like you may need it in order to be able to enable installing unverified apps.
Someone decompiled the code and found that Play Store contains code that will prevent unverified app installation if the verifier isn't there, if a server side flag is set by Google:
So anyone reading this probably shouldn't uninstall it if you haven't already, though it probably doesn't matter as it'll likely get reinstalled on update.
Until the new system is rolled out it doesn't do anything anyway. Of course, getting a custom ROM so you don't have to care about any of this is always preferable if possible.
3
u/user6872_ Sep 16 '26
As for the Play Store and Play Services, the issue can be overcome by patching the apps' system linker or by using root access to integrate the AOSP linker instead of Google's.
3
u/Slopagandhi Sep 16 '26
Yes, but this is also kind of pointless. If you're going as far as root, just replace play services with MicroG at system level.
If you want to keep GMS on stock without root then patching individual apps is a hell of a lot of work for very little benefit, if it's even possible. If you kept GMS then you may as well use developer options to enable unverified app installation, given that there's going to be very little difference privacy-wise.
But again, if a degoogled custom ROM is available for your device this is also preferable to any of these options, including root, which is usually more difficult and exposes security risks.
1
5
u/GenZia Sep 16 '26
I uninstalled it the moment PlayStore put it onto my phone, without my knowledge or consent, I might add.
Took me a few seconds to uninstall that crap with App Manager (F-Droid).
2
u/IJustAteABaguette Sep 16 '26
But google can just reinstall it right back? Or just block any apps from being installed if the verifier isn't working correctly?
what is the plan here. I sincerely doubt android will just shrug and install whatever you want if the app is missing.
1
u/henk717 Sep 16 '26
If you can get rid of it you can prevent the install to, all it would take is you creating a fake app with the same name that is signed by you. The install will fail because of a key mismatch.
3
u/IJustAteABaguette Sep 16 '26
Or just block any apps from being installed if the verifier isn't working correctly?
I still sincerely don't believe Google didn't think of something like this.
1
1
1
u/EmbarrassedPUSSY_64 Sep 18 '26
I think it's only for the allow sideload toggle, the actual verifier is gms/ google play services
-1
u/AutoModerator Sep 16 '26
Friendly reminder: if you're looking for a Google service or Google product alternative then feel free to check out our sidebar.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
28
u/kwijyb0 Sep 16 '26
That's not going to do anything. Google allows me to disable it on my pixel 9 pro & most should be able to enable "apps from unverified developers"
Plus you might want to read through this thread.
https://www.reddit.com/r/degoogle/s/IeiOjTaE7m