135
Google confirms 'high-friction' sideloading flow is coming to Android
(www.androidauthority.com)
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
this post was submitted on 25 Jan 2026
135 points (99.3% liked)
Android
1048 readers
2 users here now
Android news for android developers. Everything that happens in android world.
For Android development specific topics please see /c/android_dev
The Android robot is reproduced or modified from work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
It's called installing, not sideloading.
You don't sideload an app on your PC, you install it. The language they're using is specifically to demonize a normal function of a phone, so they can take control.
You don't "sideload" an app on your PC, YET. They would very much like to limit your use of your own PC too.
You basically do already. Most cheaper PCs come with S mode enabled from the store. Turning it off requires accepting a scary disclaimer that it's a permanent change and you're likely to fuck up your computer.
I have to be honest though, I kinda like it for older relatives that I can't convince to switch to Linux. Prevents tech support calls to me. And if Android was setup the same way with a one time prompt, I'd be perfectly happy.