Google: pay and register as a developer with us, or your users must wait a day after deciding to install your app.
No surprise that the alternative to handing over ID, money, and contractual agreement to Google is a hostile experience for users.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/03/android-developer-verification.html?m=1
Selfishly, I will not be affected by this, because I use a version of Android without Google - GrapheneOS.
But this will be of little solace for the myriad users stuck with Google-flavoured Android, who did not agree to this ludicrous dance simply to be able to install software on their own phone.
> How is the GrapheneOS experience?
Superb.
Yes, some banks have, disappointingly, chosen to cease support for some customers, and I use a web login for those instead.
@steve I have not used Google Wallet, so I do not know.
Some banking apps work, some do not.
That's how I view it too - I prefer to use GrapheneOS over banks who'd prefer to lock me out.
Fortunately, I can access all of my accounts through their bank's website, which suits me fine.
I've moved in many cases away from apps entirely, to websites, as that helps as part of me exploring non-Android Linux-based phones.
Google's monopolistic stranglehold on Android results in poor experience for power-users, and artificially restricts choice for those who have older phones. For example, Google Wallet is the de facto way to use NFC payments on Android. There's one problem though - it only works with Google's Android. If you have the temerity to install a 3rd party Android OS - like the hyper-secure GrapheneOS - โฆ
@neil If I read correctly, this is something you do once to enable the ability to sideload.
I will probably do that when I open the box of a new phone, and then be done with it.
I still see how it could annoy someone in a time-critical situation
Neil Brown
Hugo Mills
Darren
Elio Campitelli
Ken Milmore
Steve Hill ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ๐ช๐บ
Luke Harby
JF 
silverwizard