Maddy has MOVED!
"Google is working to make it easier for ‘experienced users’ to install apps made by unverified developers."

"Previously, the only permitted method for experienced users to install apps from unverified developers was to use ADB."

So maybe I'm 'blessed' to not have a new enough Android device to play with, but last I tried, it was already pretty easy to install *self-signed apps. Literally download apk on device, open, enable "allow unknown apps" or whatever, and install. Already pretty easy.

Anyway, fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck Google

* correction - I originally wrote 'unsigned' instead of 'self-signed'.
I am more out of the loop in the world of Android than I thought.

RE: https://vozer.cafe/@vozercozer/115542652742758808
Nov 13 at 1:43pmWeb
Show threadMaddy has MOVED!Nov 13
In general, Google (and other tech companies) need to stop protecting users from themselves at the cost of device freedom.
Show threadLukyanNov 13
@maddy Yes, there is a lot they could do first to not support malware (via the app store and ads).
Show threadMaddy has MOVED!Nov 13
@lukyan Yeah, I think the junk I've seen make it to the Play Store needs action far more urgently than whatever the fuck they're trying to pull with changing ADB/sideloading.
Show threadConsensus TullyalityNov 13

@maddy hint: it wasn't about protection then and it isn't about protection now

this is a "think of the children" move

the goal is control for power's sake

Show threadMaddy has MOVED!Nov 13
@tully Oh, for sure. They see how 'good' Apple's got it, and they're looking to make similar moves to their own benefit. (lock-in, etc)
Show threadLukyanNov 13
@maddy Previously as in what they proposed as these new restrictions before changing them now.
Show threadMaddy has MOVED!Nov 13
@lukyan Ah, so they weren't put into action quite yet
Show threadAlexia Nov 13
@maddy fwiw those are signed, just not co-signed by google's private key

for entirely unsigned apps you gotta use adb + the app has to debug-able
Show threadMaddy has MOVED!Nov 13
@alexia WHAT?! I'm surprised I haven't run into anything totally unsigned over the years.

That's fucking absurd, to me.
Show threadAlexia Nov 13
@maddy well signing it is easy and anonymous, no reason not to do it
Show threadMaddy has MOVED!Nov 13
@alexia Fair enough. I haven't built an Android app since 2012, so I am very out of the loop regarding development.
Show threadMarkAssPandiNov 13
@maddy It's not yet implemented thing (except early access)
So for now its still allowed to just install apps regular way
But google announced requirement for all apps to be signed even when installing outside the playstore
and now they are easing off those planned requirements
Show threadMarkAssPandiNov 13
@maddy that ADB mention is about how someone in the early access tried to circumvent it
Show threadHazelnootNov 13
@[email protected] Google is planning to restrict that method, so you'll only able to install an APK if the creator is officially registered.
Show threadJonathan LamotheNov 13
@maddy Look how we're making it easier to do a thing we recently deliberately made harder!
Show threadMaddy has MOVED!Nov 13
@me 'tis the Google way!
Show threadjiub   Nov 13
@[email protected] wow that's a poorly written article, confusing unsigned apps with signed but not verified by google apps (like f-droid)

glad they're walking it back at least