Neil Brown6d ago

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

#keepandroidopen

Android developer verification: Balancing openness and choice with safety

News and insights on the Android platform, developer tools, and events.

Android Developers Blog
Show threadNeil Brown6d ago
"Give us money and data, or your users' experience will suck" is, apparently, "balance".
Show threadNeil Brown6d ago

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.

#KeepAndroidOpen

Show threadElio Campitelli6d ago
@neil GrapheneOS users will be affected if developers decide to discontinue apps rather than put up with Google's bullshit.
Show threadNeil Brown
@eliocamp True enough.
Mar 19 at 7:22pmWeb