this post was submitted on 19 Mar 2026
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Android

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[–] woelkchen@lemmy.world 47 points 5 days ago (2 children)

Users will first have to enable developer mode in settings, confirm they're not being coached into disabling security, restart their phone (to cut off any phone calls), then wait a day and confirm their identity with biometric authentication or a pin before installing any apps.

Wtf

[–] Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe 19 points 5 days ago

Wait a day? Totally wtf. Pound sand.

I'm gonna guess that Lineage and Graphene won't reproduce this nonsense in their builds.

[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 0 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (4 children)

Indeed WTF, but it's still a half-win for power users, while also trying to protect grandma from scammers. 🤷

[–] actionjbone@sh.itjust.works 24 points 5 days ago (3 children)

No. It's a loss for everybody. It doesn't save grandma, and it prevents power users from using the device they own.

[–] tea@lemmy.today 3 points 5 days ago

I know scammers will get people to install remote access programs on PC, but hadn't heard of it on Android. It does seem like some kind of middle ground though...

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 0 points 5 days ago

How does it do that?

Scammers always guide you to install official remote desktop apps from play store. So this is just there to stop NewPipe and Revanced. Because those hurt google profits by avoiding their predatory ads/scams.

[–] lemmy_get_my_coat@lemmy.world 4 points 5 days ago (1 children)

There's no fucking way this is intended to actually help anyone

[–] Swedneck@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 4 days ago

it's intended to help google earn more money

[–] Ilandar@lemmy.today 3 points 5 days ago (1 children)

How is it a "half-win" when it's objectively worse than before?

[–] over_clox@lemmy.world -1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

They were planning on completely blocking sideloading unauthenticated apps altogether, but backed off enough to still leave that as an option, just a little more inconvenient to enable the option.

So the 'before' plans you speak of were much worse, at least now their current plans still leave us the option.

[–] Swedneck@discuss.tchncs.de 8 points 4 days ago

i was planning on killing your entire family, but i've decided to only kill half of them.
Why are you not thanking me?

[–] Brewchin@lemmy.world 27 points 5 days ago

Anyone thinking this is a climb down or win is deluded. This was planned. Bait for the hard of brain.

Fuck Google, honestly. If only there wasn't a duopoly.

[–] Ilandar@lemmy.today 20 points 5 days ago

For hobbyist developers or students who want people to try their app but don't want to create a verified developer account, Google also plans to offer free "limited distributions accounts" that let you share apps without being verified. These accounts will let you share apps with up to 20 devices without having "to provide a government-issued ID or pay a registration fee."

Wow, a whole 20 devices? Thank you Google, you're sooooooo generous!

[–] Shimitar@downonthestreet.eu 14 points 5 days ago

Cant you feel being the frog in the pan? Google just heating up slowly.

[–] fodor@lemmy.zip 6 points 4 days ago

No. Google has a fake temporary plan to get you to shut up while they kill non-Google app stores. The security explanations they gave never made any sense. It's pure monopolizing.

[–] Zachariah@lemmy.world 5 points 5 days ago (1 children)

~~Sideloading~~ Installing

[–] altphoto@lemmy.today 2 points 5 days ago

I would phacking side load an entire mansion full of lamburginis and packed 80% volumetrically in cash if I could.

I will never pay for a useless app and or game. I paid for this phone, but nah, I'm good. If this phone is gonna be your bitch...come get it. Google is a total asshole of a company. That doesn't make Microsoft a great company. They both just keep each other entertained. If I was in your place employed there I would sabotage....fuck up enough to cause delays but not enough to get fired. I'm sure there's a work for that.