nixCraft 🐧Oct 29
The website “Keep Android Open” is an initiative to protest and advocate against a new policy by Google which bans sideloading apps. The goal is to pressure Google to reverse or modify this policy to protect the open nature of the Android platform and the ability to sideload or use 3rd party app stores without excessive restrictions https://keepandroidopen.org
Keep Android Open

Advocating for Android as a free, open platform for everyone to build apps on.

Keep Android Open
Show threadRastal

@nixCraft This is a good idea BUT

Alternatives exist like #lineageos #grapheneos and a bunch of others that will allow you to actually own your device and it's data, that will allow you to sideload apps until your heart is content, that will empower you to screw Google.

If you continue to not be able to sideload because of #Google, use that as motivation to explore these #opensource alternatives. #SetYourselfFree

Oct 29 at 8:43amWeb
Show threadDanOct 29
@Rastal @nixCraft The main problem is that many government and bank apps don't work unless it's on Google (the reason why I need two phones, one GrapheneOS and one Google).
Show threadDavid SOct 29
@judicandus @Rastal @nixCraft this point is lost on many advocates of the other OSes
Show threadwojtekOct 29

@Rastal @nixCraft yeah... but no.

LineageOS, while awesome - has a problem with popular apps not being available most of the time (especially banking)

And GrapheneOS requires you to buy google device so mehhity meh

Show threadEFOct 29
@Rastal @nixCraft problem is there are a lot of devices where there is not an alternative OS available or they are locked and devices are supported for as long as the maintainer cares / has the device. It is a (mostly) captive market but agree, if you can, escape from the clutches of Apple or Google, do so.
Show threadF4GRX SébastienOct 29

@EF @Rastal @nixCraft yes. Most releases are made by random dudes in XDA threads are NOT a long term reliable solution.

I mean, they have to be thanked for even doing it, but that's not a solid reliable ecosystem.

Show threadMarcos DioneOct 29

@Rastal @nixCraft I use both, but there are critical apps like bank apps, which are required as 2FA by the banks, that do not work on those :((( Seemingly here in France there's a legal 'loophole' to put the onus on the bank, but I'm not sure that applies everywhere.

Yes, alternatives exists (like Linux for Windows), and they're really good, but they do not cover all cases :(

Show threadF4GRX SébastienOct 29

@Rastal @nixCraft to *install* apps.

Sideloading hides the fact that we just want to control our phones.

And lineage is far from having enough ports. If your phone is not supported it's basically not an option unless you're an experienced and patient hacker.

Show thread🔶Mark Nicoll 3.5%🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧🇪🇺🇺🇳Oct 29
@Rastal @nixCraft
are they not built on the android kernel though? And if google start locking down Android every which way they can, does that not leed to making development harder for the alternatives?
Show threadCreggOct 29
@Rastal @nixCraft as great as those options are, they are limited to a small subset of devices that most android users do not own. Until that gap is filled we need to put pressure on google to keep android open.
Show threadLouis CoutureOct 29
@Rastal @nixCraft can I still get all the Google Play apps and still not be subject to the new policies ? Cause I absolutely need that