MauskinoFeb 22
Wuzzy

I urge all developers of #Android apps to NOT pre-emptively obey the new terms of #Google requiring you to sign up for the Android Developer Console.

It looks like Google is attempting a power grab and wants to prevent ALL installations of Android apps without official Google approval; even those installed outside Google Play.

This is an attack on both developer and user freedom and unacceptable.

https://keepandroidopen.org/

#KeepAndroidOpen #VendorLockIn #software #development #FreeSoftware

Keep Android Open

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

Feb 22 at 11:29amWeb
Show thread• ŁączeFeb 22

@Wuzzy

https://blog.accrescent.app/posts/android-developer-verification

Accrescent and Android Developer Verification

Google recently announced that starting next year, Android will require all apps to be registered by verified developers for users to install them on their devices, i.e., all apps must be registered by a developer who has performed identity verification with Google or else they won’t be installable on certified Android devices. While users have asked us about this new requirement (specifically about how it affects Accrescent), we have been waiting to provide an official response until more information became available. Now, although we are still waiting on Google to provide more details on how the program will work in the context of third-party app stores, we have enough information to explain how it will affect Accrescent and how we are responding to the change.

Accrescent Blog
Show threadWuzzyFeb 22

@Lacze Such a disappointing blogpost. Not a single word of criticism towards Google? Google basically threatened to make all apps *non-installable* for the crime of disobedience and this was all they had to say? Embarrassing.

The contrast to F-Droid's reaction <https://f-droid.org/de/2026/02/20/twif.html> could not be larger.

Also, Google's vague promise to keep a "flow" open for experienced users is just that: a vague promise. F-Droid does not trust it, and neither do I.

Keep Android Open | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository

This Week in F-Droid TWIF curated on Friday, 20 Feb 2026, Week 8 F-Droid core During our talks with F-Droid users at FOSDEM26 we were baffled to learn most w...

Show threadRejZoRFeb 22
@Wuzzy How the fuck does this even work when EU told Google and Apple several times they can't do this shit?
Show threadWuzzyFeb 23

@rejzor As far I understand it, the plan is simple: Any future certified versions of Android will refuse to install apps that don’t have the Google stamp of approval. Basically they want to dictate to the users what they are allowed to install.

I guess that leaves users with strategies like jail-breaking, installing unofficial Android versions, or just switching the OS entirely (Replicant, etc.).

I don’t know the legal implications (IANAL).

Show threadkimaprFeb 23
@Wuzzy @rejzor the FAQ says that you will still be able to install APK files using ADB. that’s probably the, uh, “advanced flow” they were talking about. it sounds really annoying though. If F-Droid and such integrate with Shizuku (which exposes ADB functions to on-device apps) i think it should be possible to make things continue to work more-or-less as usual
Frequently asked questions  |  Android developer verification  |  Android Developers

This guide answers common questions regarding Android developer verification, covering topics like compliance, account types, fees, and app registration processes.

Android Developers
Show threadWuzzyFeb 23

@kimapr @rejzor Yeah that still sounds pointlessly convoluted for normal users. And frankly, even power users cuz Google is wasting their time.

I hate it when software treats users like BABIES.

Even if a "workaround" can eventually be found, the bigger problem here is that Android is a HOSTILE platform that works against you, not with you.

(iOS is still worse lol).

Show threadRejZoRFeb 23
@kimapr @Wuzzy ADB is useless. No one is going to do this shit through 15 dumb hoops. Even current manual allowing of apps that can sideload was fiddly but usable. This now will be utterly stupid and restrictive for no reason other than Google dictating shit.
Show threadColin 🐈🌱Feb 22
@Wuzzy
How are users of open source distributions going to be affected? I use /e/os for example, without any Google services installed.
Show threadWuzzyFeb 23

@Colin Probably not much, because they’re not Android.

If the system is completely Google-free, then Google will have a hard time to interfere.

The more people (both devs AND users) start ditching proprietary OSes, the easier it will become for all of us in the long run. 😉

Show thread🇨🇳🇵🇸🇱🇧🇻🇪🇰🇪🇳🇨🇬🇱🇧🇷(🧆🏳️)Popolon🐷ᠫᠣᠫᠣᠯᠣᠨ🐎抱抱龙🐉بوبولون🤖🦧Mar 31
Are switching to HarmonyOS or Linux phone + Waydroid good options? I never used Google Play, and chose to buy a new Android phone in China (so without Google) recently to avoid it and Snowden described sid effects, hoping for faster adoption of Linux phone ecosystem. I use Pinephone Pro and ARM64 based desktop computer to work on its improvement.