Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration (hackaday.com)

No need to choose between Apple or Android anymore in 2027!

So how will this/will this be in place at all on an android device that is using AOSP without any of the play services?

and no doubt with adb installs to come shortly thereafter

The cynic in me believes Google is doing this to exert more control over the Android ecosystem, and has very little to do with security.

I'm also afraid it will make it easier for Google to bend to authoritarian regimes and ban developers whose apps are not government approved.

Think it can't happen? Think different:

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/10/apple-bends-to-t...

More discussion on source: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45428832

I've been thinking of trying out the iphone for a while now.

The reason I wasn't switching is that I install a lot of open source apps on my android device, for all kinds of things.

This change seems like it might greatly affect the current developer landscape. I've been looking for alternatives on the iphone to the apps I use and in most cases they do exist. I imagine the same will happen with android. Lots of devs are going to register and so on.

However, at that point, what difference will there be between ios and android systems that will meaningfully make me stay in android? I'll try out the iphone and see how I like it. Maybe theres something thats so commonplace right now for me that will become a deal breaker. Sort of doubt it.

Big L, as always google just doing what they do best.

[dead]

Non-US countries should block Google AdSense to punish Google without affecting users.