Are you sure? I cannot find a source that states that verification is still required. All the sources I can find (which by no means is evidence that no such source exists), including from Google Android Developers Blog: Android developer verification: Balancing openness and choice with safety indicate that side loading with the “advanced flow” does not require developer verification.
Can you provide a source?
That’s correct
…for now
feel like Google is slowly closing the gap between “official” and “sideloaded” apps, and the California bill context makes the timing more understandable. It’s not just about security—it’s about liability. The verification process might be a hassle for small devs, but it’s hard to argue against when the alternative is a fine per child. Still, it’s a shift that changes how independent developers distribute apps. Curious to see how this plays out in practice.
Where did I say this? I am stating what is becoming a problem from these monopolistic a**hol*s. The platform owner controls the operating system and the primary app distribution channel. If I am intentionally installing:
then the extra friction doesn’t really help. I already made the decision. Now I am just spending more time proving to my phone then I really meant it.
It’s exhausting. Every year, companies say they’re giving users more choice, but then they wrap those choices in so many warnings, waiting periods, and extra steps that they become a chore. Sure, sideloading still exists on paper, but if the process is deliberately made painful, it starts to feel like the freedom is there only in a technical sense.
If I’m intentionally installing an app that I chose, why am I being treated as though I don’t understand what I’m doing? It feels less like security and more like the platform trying to steer me toward the official app store.
The frustrating part is that the people who are hurt most aren’t necessarily malware authors; they’re hobbyist developers, open-source projects, and users who simply want control over the devices they bought. Meanwhile, the biggest platforms can absorb these changes because they’re already part of the ecosystem.
I don’t expect my phone to stop me from making every decision. I expect it to inform me of the risks, let me confirm that I understand them, and then get out of the way.
I don’t remember Google being liable for anything, they pushed malware from Play to MILLIONS of devices each year… and? nothing happened? But now THEY will fix Android malware for outside Play? Really really?
I quoted your post.
My concern, in this context, is solely that statements are being made, perhaps unintentionally, that are incorrect (perhaps for now, but that is slippery slope fallacy).
I agree that this developer verification (and even the “advanced flow”) is user hostile.
But nowhere in my post am I stating as such. I am stating what is wrong with this. If I said it anywhere, that would have been in the past (dates).
BTW, we still do not know, cause there is this app, which I am sure will be forcing things on. Min android version is 7, so I am wondering a lot here.
This the text from your post:
“Like I said: Google will require developer verification to install Android apps, including sideloading”
Which means the requirement for developer verification includes for sideloading. Which means developer verification is required for sideloading succeed. Which means if the software is from a developer that has not completed the verification, sideloading of the software will not succeed.
I will take it that it was not the intention to state that sideloading can only be done from software developed by developer verified developers, based on your clarfication.
Apologies.
Correct. Maybe when I wrote it the wording might have come out differently. However, sideloading f-droid and then installing apps through that is still not clear. F-droid will not be going for the adv program, and as always foogle never clarifies anything and their statements or guides just keep things in a mystified state.
Yeah…Google Play Services can actually delete applications…I know Google would definitely want to take advantage of that…We need to find a way to shut that off for Google’s applications, and fast!
I have a Xiaomi Device and I removed a Little Google Things and Xiaomi Things today so tommorow will follow more if I find alteratives.
Unfortunately I’m stuck in a partial De-Google situation.
just use ADB
I use Shizuku, however, we’re not exactly sure how Android Developer Verifier will work, if Google utilizes the permission to delete installed applications, it would delete Shizuku even without the users permission, and renders it a moog point, even AnyAPK could be in trouble!
Another thing I noticed: It’s linked to Google Play Service updates, which Google tries desperately to get you to update. I turned off the automated updates on my devices (Not entirely though, but the automated update installs was disabled) and I haven’t seen the offending process or app yet, so perhaps I’m currently going to be unaffected? I’m not sure how this works.
Bah, don’t use those services. Honestly there needs to be a way to patch the Play Integrity out of apps. Regardless I’m not updating my devices to avoid getting affected by Android Developer Verification, hopefully…
But f-droid is safe for some time…
Doesn’t really affect anything, it’s still going to happen regardless. Still ain’t updating my devices to protect myself from Google’s malware.
