Mastodawn

Google announced that as of September 2026, it will no longer be possible to develop apps for the Android platform without first registering centrally with Google. This registration will involve:

- Paying a fee to Google
- Agreeing to Google’s Terms and Conditions
- Providing government identification
- Uploading evidence of the developer’s private signing key
- Listing all current and future application identifiers

https://keepandroidopen.org/

#android #opensource #keepandroidopen

Keep Android Open

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

Brad Macpherson Feb 20

@jbz So, as has become the refrain over the past few years, Fuck Google, you evil rat-fucking bastards.

Alison Wilder Feb 21

@jbz whoomp, there it is

@jbz It’s a great time to develop more Linux‑based mobile apps to replace Android, which is becoming increasingly closed. Linux phones are improving every day, but they still lack sufficient developer support. I’ve seen several Android apps recently ported to Linux, and I hope more people will start buying these phones—especially in Europe, where digital sovereignty remains insufficient.

You can follow Linux‑mobile accounts such as @furilabs, and @postmarketOS to stay updated!

@clero @jbz @furilabs @postmarketOS i didn't even know there are Linux phones! Where does one buy them?

@Dubikan @jbz @furilabs @postmarketOS
The Flx1s is probably the best Linux phone currently available on the market. You can purchase it at https://furilabs.com/.

FuriPhone FLX1s Linux Phone

FuriPhone FLX1s Linux Phone

poleguy looking for lost tools Feb 22

@clero @Dubikan @jbz @furilabs @postmarketOS I haven't heard of this one. Does it reliably receive calls, SMS, wake with me alarms? How about GPS navigation and photos?

I was so disappointed with #pinephone being called beta, but not being able to do any of these things. Pinephone did a grave disservice to the Linux community to call this beta and never make any progress beyond what I would call a pre-alpha or board-bring-up hardware stage.

Is this the same type of garbage? The FAQ is blank.

@poleguy @Dubikan @jbz @furilabs @postmarketOS
I've seen a few reviews on YouTube and, as far as I can tell, everything seems to work. Calls and SMS work reliably. Alarms work when the device is on (a sleeping device won't wake up for the alarm). GPS, without Google services, is probably as precise as the degoogled Android phone's one (still precise enough for navigation). The camera is not very good but still usable (20-MP main camera).

@poleguy @Dubikan @jbz @furilabs @postmarketOS
You can look at those videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2tg3aO6eNs&pp=ygUFZmx4MXM=
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lITN4HJ3M5Q&pp=ygUFZmx4MXM=

Is this the year of the Linux... Phone? - Furiphone FLX1s Review/Experience

YouTube

poleguy looking for lost tools Feb 23

@clero @Dubikan @jbz @furilabs @postmarketOS So, it sounds much better than the pinephone in which all these things are terrible.

So, does the device normally go to sleep regularly, such that using it as an alarm clock is impossible? This seems like a significant oversight in the hardware design, or if the hardware supports it, a significant deficiency in the software.

@poleguy @Dubikan @jbz @furilabs @postmarketOS I just read on reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/pinephone/comments/ng3fbj/how_to_keep_pinephone_working_during_sleep/) that the device would probably have to be charge every night, and while plugged in it will stay on (even when the screen is off) so the alarm can work. It's far from what android offers but it should work.

@clero @Dubikan @jbz @furilabs @postmarketOS Maybe for now, but looking specs I would argue that new Jolla phone goes much further and OS is more polished

@Antti98 @Dubikan @jbz @furilabs @postmarketOS I'm looking forward to watching reviews when users receive the new Jolla phone!

||| /\ |/ [ []Mar 5

@clero @Dubikan @jbz @furilabs @postmarketOS 291g is not a phone, it's a laptop 😄

@Dubikan @clero @jbz @furilabs @postmarketOS Highly recommend to check https://commerce.jolla.com/products/jolla-phone-preorder. It runs with SailfishOS which is according to my research most mature linux alternative. And as I have used it myself, I must say it runs super smoothly. It even has android container running separately off the main system which allows you run most of android apps during transition period. For me it was one day of setting it up and super smooth transition

Jolla Phone Pre-order Voucher

@clero @jbz @furilabs @postmarketOS I would add @jolla as most mature Linux option currently ;)

@Antti98 @jbz @furilabs @postmarketOS @jolla I agree, but Sailfish OS has its own app store and there is a lot of closed‑source code (Jolla’s proprietary apps and UI). Jolla’s phones are still Linux phones, but to me it looks like another Android—driven by a company fairer than Google, yet it’s still a company. If the Linux phone can’t run “standard” Linux apps, then you should probably just take an @e_mydata (/e/OS) phone, which isn’t European but is certainly cleaner and more feature‑full.

@clero @jbz @jolla Jolla is in process of open sourcing all app by them (and other parts!). Surely there still will be UI part and android support, microsoft exchange parts that will most likely stay closed source. Personally I think it is good that there is company behind it, much more likely that they will succeed. But Sailfish is GNU linux in traditional sense, what android isn't, right? If "standard" you mean flatpaks, those have worked in the past, why not in the future again?

@Antti98 @jbz @jolla I didn’t know that Flatpaks work. I read online that they didn’t work well, depending on which Jolla phone you were using. Anyway, until Jolla open‑sources every app and the UI, I won’t consider buying one of their phones. However, I agree that FOSS alternatives are less ready for public use and therefore, Jolla is probably a good entry point into the Linux open-source ecosystem.

@clero @jbz @jolla That is correct that Flatpaks don't currently work properly, but they have worked before, so I am hopeful that they will also in the future. I think that is mainly prioritizing issue.

Definitely understand if some people want full FOSS. I want something mature enough to be used now, so personally I don't mind the closed parts as most of the system is open

Hyacinthe Stripeyeen Feb 21

@jbz guess moving to GrapheneOS is no longer an option?

Radomír Žemlička Feb 22

@hyacinthestripeyeen @jbz AFAIK, this shouldn't affect GrapheneOS or any other custom ROM. It only affects Google-certified ROMs.

@Razemix @hyacinthestripeyeen @jbz
I am not sure actually? I mean, Android being open source at its core should allow development. Then publishing in eg F-Droid should be fine?
As long as Google does not limit publication of critical source components for custom ROMs?
But it should not be possible by OSS terms?

Radomír Žemlička Feb 22

@ogghi @hyacinthestripeyeen @jbz What you are allowed to do on AOSP is one thing. What Google allows you to do on their certified OS with proprietary modifications is a whole another thing.

Mark Crocker Feb 22

@ogghi @Razemix @hyacinthestripeyeen @jbz Nope. The F-droid home page https://f-droid.org/ features this banner:

> F-Droid is under threat. Google is changing the way you install apps on your device. We need your help. https://keepandroidopen.org/

F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository

F-Droid is the app distribution ecosystem for Android where your user freedom comes first. Discover our app store, explore the world of free and open source (FOSS) apps and [learn](https://f-droid.org/about/) about our app distribution tools.

bhaugland Feb 21

@jbz So Phones will go back to being phones again?

@jbz Is this just Play Store related and can people just continue to develop for F-Droid?

No, this is android-related.

Google will likely check the app-signature itself, and reject the installation of non-registered apps, regardless of source.

So sideloading itself will be prevented in it's entirety.

always tired Feb 22

@newhinton @lianna @jbz

What's the opinion of the EU about this? IIRC they ruled that Apple has to permit apps from sources outside their monopoly app store?

@project1enigma @lianna @jbz

I don't know.

I hope they will see how google is just laughing at them now with such rules and take appropriate measures, but it seems this topic doesn't really get the noise it deserves.

Radomír Žemlička Feb 22

@project1enigma That's the problem. They allow you to do it but they still charge you their developer/platform fee. So Google is trying to pull off the exact same bullshit.

@newhinton @lianna @jbz

@newhinton @jbz But AOSP still exists.

Sure, but how many people don't use non-stock/verified android?

The problem arises when open-source ecosystems like fdroid die out or dry up because developers quit building apps because they can't distribute them anymore.

This is *will* damage open source android apps, and it will affect those without sideloading restrictions too.

Kirils Solovjovs Feb 22

@jbz I don’t think that’s possible. What are they, some damn Apple?

Alienated Mass Feb 22

@jbz definitely past time I moved to graphene and degoogle my whole life

gullevek ☢️ 🇯🇵Feb 22

@jbz @jannem So Google is Apple now

Michel Patrice Feb 22

Getting a monopoly to be less shitty is nice, but wouldn't building an alternative be much better?

There is already the french /e/ OS that exists. I wish european countries would start building on it and improving it. Thereby breaking the shitty monopoly.

Europe seems to have suddenly awaken and started actively looking for alternatives to american big tech.

And a Google free phone would be a thing.

@gael #monopoly #GAFAM #Google #Android

@MichelPatrice @jbz @gael There is already true European alternative, #SailfishOS. Unfortunately /e/OS isn't true alternative as it is just android fork. It can mitigate the Google data mining and offer short term user privacy but won't bring European tech independence. Supporting #Jolla can lead to much brighter future IMO as phones with Sailfish are already google free phones.

Gaël Duval - /e/OS & Murena Feb 23

@Antti98 @MichelPatrice @jbz "it is just android fork" 🙄
100% open source, and yes based on Linux kernel etc. This is really a small consideration of what /e/OS and all the features we are adding.

@gael @MichelPatrice @jbz I don't meant to downplay your work! It is great way in short term to mitigate the Google data mining as I said. Great work in that front! And maybe easier for people to transfer. But isn't truth that it is fork of android and relies completely on AOSP? Which is fully controlled by Google and works as long as Google allows? Surely technically based on Linux kernel, but not really a linux distro, right?

richarddebruin Feb 23

@gael @Antti98 @MichelPatrice @jbz but still based on ASOP/Lineage --> Android --> Google. If Google decides to close it more and more? Sure you are adding features, but see what Google is doing with Android (developer verification) and where does this ends?

Dávid Bárdos Feb 23

@Antti98 @MichelPatrice @jbz @gael I'm on /e/os now with my fairphone 5, but I tried #sailfishos and I loved it. I would happily pay for the android compatibility layer to get it work on my phone, but I've just bought my device before they announced their new phone, so won't like buy another one. 😅

@david_bardos @MichelPatrice @jbz @gael Hopefully Jolla one day sells AAS to community ports! But definitely understandable and good that you will use your phone as long feasible. Environment thanks :)

Michel Patrice Feb 23

@Antti98 @jbz @gael

Android is based on Linux and was a free and open source software. It has been highjacked.

Being free open source, it belongs to humanity. It can be european if europeans work on it. It can be japanese if Japan works on it.

Is /e/ completely freed from Google dependency? Probably not, but it is definetely something to work on.

(This is a non-tech person’s somment.)

Gaël Duval - /e/OS & Murena Feb 23

@MichelPatrice @Antti98 @jbz that is exactly how a strategy can work and end up into a hard and fully independent fork. If you look at it closely you will notice that it is on its way.

@gael @MichelPatrice @jbz If Murena is able to make e/OS completely independent from android, I salute you! Then you would be truly own operating system, which would be great :) But if it requires native apps outside of "standard" android I think there could be challenges in the ecosystem. On other hand if there isn't native app builds, then reliance with Google stays on. But time will tell, I definitely will keep my eyes open with /e/OS development

Michel Patrice Feb 23

J’ai acheté un cellulaire seconde main* fonctionnant avec /e/ pour en faire l’essai. Et c’est franchement très bien.

Parce que toute la procédure d’installation était franchement intimidante et le risque de transformer mon cellulaire en brique ne m’excitait pas. C’est sans doute un des grands obstacle à une adoption plus généralisée de la patente.

(* D’un fournisseur anglais pour ne pas acheter aux États-Unis. Ici, on est pas mal à être franchement remontés contre les É.-U...)

@MichelPatrice @jbz @gael If I have understood this right, Android is based on Linux kernel yes, but on top of that is so much Google's stuff that it is very far from being linux distro as we understand it in PC word. And even if Google has keeped AOSP open, I have always thinked it as product of Google as they have full control with it. It wasn't open source development like Linux for example IMO. Always good to have options without Google data mining

Michel Patrice Feb 23

I had never heard of Jolla and SailfishOS. Thank you. I will look it up.

lupus_blackfur Feb 22

FFS...

Are they seriously just *trying* to piss us off...??

No better reason to de-google and no better time to de-google...

🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤡🫏🖕🖕💩💩

William B Peckham Feb 22

@jbz I just paid $250 (USD) for a BOLD N4 phone. If only there were a Linux phone half as good for twice the price! (5G, 3D AMOLED 6.78" 120Hz display, 1200x2652. NPU 655, Ovta core CPU, 512GB storage, 32GB ram. 50MP camera. Big battery, fast charging.)

@wbpeckham @jbz Fulfilling wishes? https://commerce.jolla.com/products/jolla-phone-preorder

Jolla Phone Pre-order Voucher

William B Peckham Feb 23

@Antti98 @jbz nice, although it doesn't have half the features of my N4, but it's also not available in my country.

@wbpeckham @jbz well you asked Linux phone that is half as good? And I think biggest difference is amount of RAM and storage with the HW? Or were you referring some other features?

Have to also consider that android phones are made in millions vs. low 10000s

William B Peckham Feb 23

@Antti98 @jbz absolutely no argument there. I'd love it if somebody would be cranking out 50,000 good Linux phones a year at an affordable price. If you're only making 50 a year, the economies of scale don't really kick in.

gay_garstly Feb 22

@jbz All talking about switching to a Linux-phone but Linux is much unsafer than Android. Android has sandboxes, app based permissions and nearly no root access for a reason.

@gay_garstly @jbz Today, with Flatpak, apps are containerized with app‑based permissions. With Waydroid you can even run Android apps in containers. It’s true the OS isn’t as optimized for a phone as Android or iOS, but if more people start using it, especially in the EU, developers could boost performance and build a safe and truly de‑Googled OS.

@gay_garstly @jbz Well for example #SailfishOS has sandboxing, app based permission already. Is it as good as with android? Surely not, but it isn't that far away that it wouldn't suit wide masses IMO

Andrew Branson Feb 23

@gay_garstly @jbz I wouldn't be very happy if the engine compartment of my car was locked so I couldn't get in, so I don't want my mobile forbidding me from having root access. It's mine.