What is the plan for using open source on Android when Obtanium stops working?

[miyonfaga]

Earlier today I opened Obtanium to update some apps installed straight from the developer. I was greeted with this advance warning that the Obtanium developers will not accept to go through Google's verification that will soon be required to sign and publish Android apps, even outside the Play Store.

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! I moved this from the General News forum to the General Help forum.

 

[mustang7757]

Welcome to AC!

We had a thread about this back in August of 2025 if you like to join in there or have a look.

Thread 'Come September 2026, are you sticking with Android'

Aug 29, 2025

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...

• SyCoREAPER
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