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.
Well we are already getting a popup warning when installing apps outside of the play store. You also have to enable the actual source where you get the file from/try to install it from for allowing installation of these apps.
How massively complicated are they thinking to make this that people are not “coerced” into installing? Also there is really no need to pressure anyone to download a scammy app. There’s plenty on the play store.
My bet is that they will just remove the GUI settings for alternative APK installation sources, and require you to explicitly allow them via terminal (
adb shellor similar). This will probably scare off 99% of regular users, while keeping devs relatively happy. The end result (making it harder to install FOSS and pirated software) will still be achieved.Or enable it via the dev menu, which is normally hidden
That feels too easy for the requirements they’re announcing, no? It just adds like 12 taps to scammer’s instructions, 10 of which is the taps to show developer menu.