Google's Material Hegemony, and how we can truly beat Google

, ,
1

As we all know: Google is forcing Android Developer Verification on almost every Android device (Unupdated devices might be spared if they remain in a pre-2026 patch). However, there’s another big issue, an even bigger elephant in the room that could also threaten FOSS if Google really gets malicious: Material itself. The UI that Google made to allow developers to make applications easily, it could also be a huge problem in the future, and considering what Google is doing, Material (& Jetpack) could end up being another trouble spot if Android Developer Verification fails (Or even if it “Succeeds”).

Considering that Google is closing Android down (And unfortunately for Stock Android 16/17 users, ADB will NOT work as well, because Google is indeed stripping app installs from it, forcing the Advanced Flow: https://www.webanditnews.com/2026/03/27/google-is-quietly-locking-down-adb-androids-last-escape-hatch-for-power-users/ Just so everybody knows), we might need to also consider that Google could also close Material & Jetpack to prevent developers from removing what Google adds to it. Google could just as easily add malware directly into the UI, and that could completely disrupt F-Droid, and of course Google can just get away with it (Because of the corrupt governments).

It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. When will Google begin hiding malware in Material & Jetpack? What could Google try to further disrupt F-Droid and GrapheneOS? That’s what is worrying me the most.

Luckily, Linux already shows us the solution: A decentralized UI market, where individuals share their own UIs, devoid of malware, and also completely Open-Source without a corporation hovering over it. It’s entirely possible to make Android UIs, it’s just that Google doesn’t want developers to fly off and do their own thing. Luanti is one that already achieved that, as it lacks Material outright, so does Mindustry. If we can follow these games, we could design unique UIs that allow applications to come in a plethora of designs, allowing for a variety of differing looks, it would keep Android apps exciting because they won’t share the same UI anymore.

But, can we do it? Can we beat Google in the UI department? If Linux can do it, then Android developers can as well, but what lengths do we have to take to topple Google from that pedestal? I would like to hear everybody’s opinions on this.

2

will force us to use only certain colours, yeah, cool story bro

3

Hey, I’m trying to keep Android apps unique, and sure, Google says “Customization”, but what they’re really doing is just forcing developers into it. Material is even used on the Internet, and Google essentially has almost complete UI control on Android. We need to break Google’s grip.

1 Like
4

Material is first and foremost a design system, as set of visual style guidelines to follow. I know at least some web projects that use this design system without using any code from google.

I think you are interpreting quite a bit too much into this. If Google does bad things it will do so in the huge chunk of the software that is the OS itself. Especially in the proprietary play services.

5

Yawn! Zzzzzz.

2 Likes
6

I know, but consider Google’s track record: Forcing AI, forcing Age Verification, AI Moderation, Android Developer Verification, and an undisputed Search monopoly which lead to unrestrained Internet control. Google could very well attack Material design itself next, since they created it.

7

Does f-droid works on lineage os and postmarket os ?

8

Probably, since it’s FOSS.

9

Can you stop complaining about Material for Five minutes?

10

Look, I’m getting tired of the constantly changing UIs, many people are complaining about it, particularly older users of services. DeviantArt went through something like that 6 years ago, and it still has bitter feelings. Plus Google essentially controls 100% of the UI language system, being that Material is literally on numerous major sites. It’s just getting out of control, like Google needs to understand that they shouldn’t be hogging all the attention, there’s individuals who can make very good UIs without the corporate labeling.

11

And we’re getting tired of you constantly repeating the same points while ignoring our responses.

12

Listen, F-Droid is trying to get us to De-Google, right?

13

F-Droid isn’t trying for de-google that’s up-to users choice, F-Droid’s mission: About | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository

https://keepandroidopen.org/ is not just about De-googled devices.
In fact some custom ROMs/AppStores are not participating in such campaign because they say they’re unaffected but not F-Droid.