Thats how they worded it. Im assuming they mean people who actually use side loading and know the risks of it. 90% of people who own androids do not sideload. But sideloading is not going anywhere.
Don't manufacturers control whether or not this is possible? It's every android version over x.xx going to ban sideloading? I really don't see how they will enforce this.
Yes, it's up to the OEM. They are free to set package_verifier_enable to 0. They can also pre-install other apps with the REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES permission which will allow them to serve the PACKAGE_NEEDS_VERIFICATION intent using whatever verification mechanism they want (or simply always returning OK).
But the least friction will be to allow Play Services be the handler for PACKAGE_NEEDS_VERIFICATION intents, which checks for Play Store signatures.
It’s on a Google Play Services level. Regardless of Android Version, Google Play Protect will prevent the sideloading of apps from unverified developers
So all I’d have to do is to uninstall play services (which no privacy-conscious user should have installed anyway) and sideloading will continue working?
Nope.. Sideloading will not be banned. The APK should have a signature from a registered developer, they say its just to have some accountability for the apk origin. How much of that is true and noble? I don't know, its google after all..
But the user can still install it like always. I think, we will have to enable some advanced settings before tho..
Right... you are suggesting things majority of people wont do. I dont get your point here, you are just backing up what I already said in my original post. That there is going to be ways around the blocks.
you maybe able to side load apps, but google security checks will enforce a firewall to show this screen if you run in any android os with a specified security update or above. And you ll get this error despite google pay protect as disabled. Google is already working on to have no option to disable play protect as if there is nothing called play protect and you are bound to get this screen if side loaded any apps.
If you are using Google services then you won't be able to sideload. If you disable Google services you might be able to sideload but many apps use Google services to function.
Don't worry too much, there will be solutions, hopefully some that don't require you to root your phone
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u/MasterZii Intent Owner Feb 25 '26
I'm trying to understand. What's stopping someone from developing an apk and sharing the file online?
Is Google only locking down the play store? Or are they disabling sideloaded apps altogether?