GoKawiilTL;DR Android is taking new measures to discourage casual app installation from unverified developers, including a 24-hour wait period.
Users will be able to opt out of further delays after that initial 24 hours.
Today Google clarifies that this status can carry over to new devices, so you only ever have to go through it once.
Ever since last summer, Google’s been getting Android users ready for new rules regarding how you’re allowed to install apps on your devices. Nothing about getting apps directly from the Play Store is changing, but whether you call it “sideloading” or just manually installing APKs, Google is taking steps to make that process “high-friction” in order to discourage scammers from tricking vulnerable users into installing malware. The whole effort has proven hugely controversial, but Google’s been working hard to relive everyone’s fears — and now its latest update is maybe the best news yet.
Don’t want to miss the best from Android Authority? Set us as a favorite source in Google Discover to never miss our latest exclusive reports, expert analysis, and much more.
to never miss our latest exclusive reports, expert analysis, and much more. You can also set us as a preferred source in Google Search by clicking the button below.
How manual Android app installation is changing In case you’re late to this party, here’s what’s going on: Android currently lets you manually install apps by just copying the associated APK to your device, and opening it with an app you’ve granted the correct permissions to. Maybe that’s an internal app that your company doesn’t want to distribute on the Play Store, a private software project you’ve been working on yourself, or a community effort like any of numerous emulators.
Android will throw up a few warning messages about the risks of running software from unknown sources, but you’re ultimately able to tap past all those and move forward with the installation.
With the changes Google’s making to Android developer registration, though, apps from developers who decline to participate will be much more onerous to install. Earlier this month, Google finally detailed the precise workflow that will be needed to install apps from unknown developers — and that includes a mandatory 24-hour delay.
On one hand, it was good news to learn that Google was offering this “override” option. On the other, waiting 24 hours just to install an app sounded kind of bad. But it wasn’t long before Google started sharing some news that served to mitigate the impact of that delay.
... continue reading