Come September 2026, are you sticking with Android

[SyCoREAPER]

In 2026 Android will be closing off Android with the Verified Developer program which also limits users to only installing from the PlayStore because of "Security". Yeah that same PlayStore they gatekeep that can't control malware today.

Not sure if this will trickle down to non-Pixels but sounds like it will. No F-Droid. No FOSS. No Freedom.

I say it every so many weeks that Google is on a path of self-destruction but each time I think it can't get worse. Here we are.

I hated Apple for their walled off garden but their eco-system is right, integrated and consistent. The openness of Android is what keeps me here. Without that, Apple (may God have mercy on my soul) is the logical choice for me assuming no new OS takes over.

If Google does follow through with this and force OEMs to do the same, will you be sticking with Android or moving to the other evil Apple?

 

[Laura Knotek]

I'll stay with Android because I simply don't care for the way Apple works, especially their file system (or lack thereof). I also have no use for iMessage, iCloud, FaceTime, Apple Watch, etc. Additionally, I will never purchase a Mac. I also just purchased a new Samsung Galaxy Tab S10FE.

 

[me just saying]

Amazon will not remove the ability to download and sideload from third party sources as long as the developer is verified with Amazon. They will only remove the ability to sideload using anonymous sources.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

Amazon will not remove the ability to download and sideload from third party sources as long as the developer is verified with Amazon. They will only remove the ability to sideload using anonymous sources.

Thats speculation at this point. FireTV they actively block and fight functions of sideloaded apps like accessibility based and sometimes not even show up in the default launcher.

As mentioned we also don't know at this point if Google will require OEMs to disallow sideloading to remain certified as well. With Amazon removing their app store for the GPS, they will bend of backwards to comply.

I'll stay with Android because I simply don't care for the way Apple works, especially their file system (or lack thereof). I also have no use for iMessage, iCloud, FaceTime, Apple Watch, etc. Additionally, I will never purchase a Mac. I also just purchased a new Samsung Galaxy Tab S10FE.

I didn't think about the file system and the dependency on iTunes (now that's bloatware).

As much as I hate the idea, I am thinking about going 100% Linux and am not sure how Apple plays with that.

Given me some things to consider with is appreciated.

What are you going to do if sideloading is almost like a Knox fuse and makes the device not certified? (Speculation) That might mean certified apps won't run at all almost forcing people to choose Google's fake Eden or FOSS exclusively.

 

[notforhire]

I'll stay with Android because I simply don't care for the way Apple works, especially their file system (or lack thereof). I also have no use for iMessage, iCloud, FaceTime, Apple Watch, etc. Additionally, I will never purchase a Mac. I also just purchased a new Samsung Galaxy Tab S10FE.

if something occurs to me, I'll add to this list

 

[SyCoREAPER]

if something occurs to me, I'll add to this list

Maybe because I just woke up but: huhhh?

 

[IsHacker]

In 2026 Android will be closing off Android with the Verified Developer program which also limits users to only installing from the PlayStore because of "Security". Yeah that same PlayStore they gatekeep that can't control malware today.

Not sure if this will trickle down to non-Pixels but sounds like it will. No F-Droid. No FOSS. No Freedom.

I say it every so many weeks that Google is on a path of self-destruction but each time I think it can't get worse. Here we are.

I hated Apple for their walled off garden but their eco-system is right, integrated and consistent. The openness of Android is what keeps me here. Without that, Apple (may God have mercy on my soul) is the logical choice for me assuming no new OS takes over.

If Google does follow through with this and force OEMs to do the same, will you be sticking with Android or moving to the other evil Apple?

I hate google, but I have this much trust in them that they would never do this. And they actually CAN'T do this since android itself is FOSS. They even confirmed that AOSP is NOT going away. But if they do it, I will do one of these 2 things:
1. Don't update to the then-latest android version
2. Move to a GNU/Linux phone like PinePhone or flash a distro on my current phone if it's supported.

 

[monsieurms]

Without that, Apple (may God have mercy on my soul) is the logical choice for me assuming no new OS takes over.

If Google does follow through with this and force OEMs to do the same, will you be sticking with Android or moving to the other evil Apple?

No sideloading is basically the same rule Apple has, right? So... I don't see any reason to upset my app universe even if I don't like Google's proposal. I have nowhere to go, nothing to gain, even if that is a big issue for me.

But I think I have side-loaded one app in the last 5 years. It will probably be okay. It certainly isn't worth changing operating systems, at least not for me.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

I hate google, but I have this much trust in them that they would never do this. And they actually CAN'T do this since android itself is FOSS. They even confirmed that AOSP is NOT going away. But if they do it, I will do one of these 2 things:
1. Don't update to the then-latest android version
2. Move to a GNU/Linux phone like PinePhone or flash a distro on my current phone if it's supported.

I have every confidence they would do this. How often do they kill an app or service for no reason and either abandon it altogether or replace it with some halfbaked clone with 60% less functionality, get it working 2 years later and never touch it again or repeat the cycle?

Android is Open-Source, GP Services is not which is why it isn't included in ROMs, unless the dev likes playing with fire.

I don't know how it will be enforced but they could very well decertify the device like KNOX, SELinu or Safetynet (not sure if that's still a thing for root) behave and lock down the PlayStore. You can sideload but won't have access to the PlayStore and I guarantee you, Certified Apps will stop working because your device is no longer certified and as such a "security risk" (like how some bank apps behave with root).

No sideloading is basically the same rule Apple has, right? So... I don't see any reason to upset my app universe even if I don't like Google's proposal. I have nowhere to go, nothing to gain, even if that is a big issue for me.

But I think I have side-loaded one app in the last 5 years. It will probably be okay. It certainly isn't worth changing operating systems, at least not for me.

That's fair. In my case I rely on quite a few FOSS apps and like that I can see the code. I like that they can do what Google won't and as such aren't allowed on the PlayStore and must be sideloaded.

Maybe I'll have a different outlook when the time comes but right now, Google just keeps making one bad move after another.

 

[Mooncatt]

I think it's too soon to really know what we'll do. Google's plans could change, and I'm sure there will be many developers looking at creating alternatives.

I have an app I use all the time that is side loaded, so my choice will depend on my ability to keep using it or an equivalent alternative (which doesn't currently exist).

 

[SyCoREAPER]

That's true but if the word gets out sooner than later whether it has materialized yet or not, maybe we can get the outrage machine going in advance.

Enough negative publicity can be enough sometimes to make change happen (or prevent it).