290
Android will become a locked-down platform in 194 day
(keepandroidopen.org)
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 18 Feb 2026
290 points (97.7% liked)
Android
21467 readers
240 users here now
The new home of /r/Android on Lemmy and the Fediverse!
Android news, reviews, tips, and discussions about rooting, tutorials, and apps.
🔗Universal Link: !android@lemdro.id
💡Content Philosophy:
Content which benefits the community (news, rumours, and discussions) is generally allowed and is valued over content which benefits only the individual (technical questions, help buying/selling, rants, self-promotion, etc.) which will be removed if it's in violation of the rules.
Support, technical, or app related questions belong in: !askandroid@lemdro.id
For fresh communities, lemmy apps, and instance updates: !lemdroid@lemdro.id
📰Our communities below
Rules
-
Stay on topic: All posts should be related to the Android OS or ecosystem.
-
No support questions, recommendation requests, rants, or bug reports: Posts must benefit the community rather than the individual. Please post to !askandroid@lemdro.id.
-
Describe images/videos, no memes: Please include a text description when sharing images or videos. Post memes to !androidmemes@lemdro.id.
-
No self-promotion spam: Active community members can post their apps if they answer any questions in the comments. Please do not post links to your own website, YouTube, blog content, or communities.
-
No reposts or rehosted content: Share only the original source of an article, unless it's not available in English or requires logging in (like Twitter). Avoid reposting the same topic from other sources.
-
No editorializing titles: You can add the author or website's name if helpful, but keep article titles unchanged.
-
No piracy or unverified APKs: Do not share links or direct people to pirated content or unverified APKs, which may contain malicious code.
-
No unauthorized polls, bots, or giveaways: Do not create polls, use bots, or organize giveaways without first contacting mods for approval.
-
No offensive or low-effort content: Don't post offensive or unhelpful content. Keep it civil and friendly!
-
No affiliate links: Posting affiliate links is not allowed.
Quick Links
Our Communities
- !askandroid@lemdro.id
- !androidmemes@lemdro.id
- !techkit@lemdro.id
- !google@lemdro.id
- !nothing@lemdro.id
- !googlepixel@lemdro.id
- !xiaomi@lemdro.id
- !sony@lemdro.id
- !samsung@lemdro.id
- !galaxywatch@lemdro.id
- !oneplus@lemdro.id
- !motorola@lemdro.id
- !meta@lemdro.id
- !apple@lemdro.id
- !microsoft@lemdro.id
- !chatgpt@lemdro.id
- !bing@lemdro.id
- !reddit@lemdro.id
Lemmy App List
Chat and More
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
Locked down platforms don't have opt outs for the locks. Though it is a concerning move in the wrong direction.
What opt outs are you referring to? Installing an alternative OS?
Not sure if you've been following but the app lockdown does not prevent you from installing apps. You can opt out of the controls they are implementing. They backtracked after the outrage.
Yeah but theyre obviously gonna try again once everyone has move on
Yup, which is why we have to be diligent and prepared. But false information doesn't solve that issue because you get dismissed.
They didn't fully backtrack. They haven't given details but there are still questions about what "advanced flow" means and whether it'll involve Google spying on what people install. Even if they backed off the worst part of it, this is still monopolist, anti-consumer, and likely privacy-violating behavior, and the correct action isn't to go "eh they compromise a little so I'll shut up and eat my slop"
https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2026/01/24/really-dangerous-google-changes-android-for-all-users/
Was that supposed to refute what I said? Because it didn't.
Did you actually read the link? They address this in a big red box:
You can always install with adb.
Not sure if you've been following but there's no way to opt out. They did not backtrack on anything, despite widespread erroneous reporting. If you click the OP, it says as much. If you have a source that shows they did, please share it because I'd love to read it.
Here's Google's official blog where they back off from complete lockdown
Android Developers Blog: Android developer verification: Early access starts now as we continue to build with your feedback https://share.google/5jCv5uDMFcFnc11UN
that's not backing down at all. they speak of a possible workflow, but they don't say you'll be able to install unverified apps. they still say they'll require it, in fact.
Empowering experienced users
While security is crucial, we’ve also heard from developers and power users who have a higher risk tolerance and want the ability to download unverified apps.
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. We are gathering early feedback on the design of this feature now and will share more details in the coming months.
yeah, that's a whole lot of corporate speak that says absolutely nothing. they wrote two whole paragraphs that promise nothing and don't back down on their verification plans. and you fell for it, too.
you have no idea what that "advanced flow" means, or what it entails, or even if it will actually be there to begin with, or how long it will be there until they discontinue it.
Did you actually read it? That's not what it says at all.
I mean what they pasted here sure sounds like that us what it says.
Sure did. Did you?
"Empowering experienced users
While security is crucial, we’ve also heard from developers and power users who have a higher risk tolerance and want the ability to download unverified apps.
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. We are gathering early feedback on the design of this feature now and will share more details in the coming months. "
As I said earlier, only a vague mention of an "advanced flow" that's still in the works. Nothing saying they are no longer going to require distributors to register with Google, but it does say that they will require it on Google's own website:
Just adding in, The Android developer page does clarify this problem. It will be a default on and will require the user going out of their way to turn it off.
They have a direct question there labeled as the following.
And then the response is as follows.
We understand this is an important use case for many developers and power users. While the verification requirement itself is a core OS feature to help protect the broader ecosystem from malware and can't be turned off, we plan to offer two paths for experienced users to install unverified apps:
Honestly, it doesn't seem all that different than how fdroid is currently configured on Google. I expect that you'll have to enable an option on top of the unofficial sources toggle that also states unverified apps.
Being as they also specify what the Android debugging bridge is as a second bullet point, I expect that it's not going to be through ADB like a lot of people were worried about as well.
The thing is, there already is a flow to enable "unknown sources" with the appropriate scare messages. So whatever "advanced flow" they're going to come up with is going to be more involved than that.
My guess would be something similar to the bootloader unlock flow, where it resets the device and sets it to some "unsafe" state similar to a rooted/unlocked device which banking apps etc. can detect and refuse to work with.
I hope you're right
https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2026/01/24/really-dangerous-google-changes-android-for-all-users/
Why you are spamming?
Do you know how to read? Do you know how to click links?
If you do you would see this in this page https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/08/elevating-android-security.html
Starting next year, Android will require all apps to be registered by verified developers in order to be installed by users on certified Android devices.
I could ask the same.
Each individual asked for the evidence, I presented it.
you can only do that if you use a custom ROM
but on official ROM, no you can't
https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2026/01/24/really-dangerous-google-changes-android-for-all-users/
Heads firmly up asses all around, it's like a discussion with MAGA.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2026/01/24/really-dangerous-google-changes-android-for-all-users/
No such "backing down" to speak of there
That quote comes from the director of product management from Google Play. It has not been altered or deleted since posted.
Again, a bunch of vague nonsensical horseshit. That sounds like their previous strategy where they said you could use adb, which is completely unrealistic, and is 1000% a sideloading restriction.