148 days to go...
"""
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 Googleβs Terms and Conditions
- Providing government identification
- Uploading evidence of the developerβs private signing key
- Listing all current and future application identifiers
"""
@teledyn if you happen to have a Pixel device, I'd highly recommend GrapheneOS.
I don't know if you can disable auto-updates in stock Android, but I know Google can remotely remove apps from it.
@alice I do expect they can do anything they like 'cause no matter who I paid what, it isn't MY phone, but my griping aside, what I want to block are System updates; they give me an option to _delay_, but I want similar to Linux where I can simply stop checking for updates.
Which brings up #GrapheneOS; it is said run on my Samsung S20, but (a) it is a one way trip and (b) I am not yet completely off my Google Workspace that also includes family members (all reluctant to change), so I would still be tied to Google and not sure how Graphene sits in that situation. As much as I try to use FDroid apps, there are still many I can only get via Google although perhaps there will be a Reform Movement in the pirate apk shops, trojan-free like it used to be.
@zymurgeek I use 2FAS on GrapheneOS for auth stuff, but I haven't run into any apps that don't work except Google Wallet (which might work now, but fuck Google, so ππΌββοΈ).
Is there any alternative to Google Wallet? I tap to pay almost daily.
@teledyn I put my NFC card in my phone case, then just tap my phone π
@zymurgeek @dianea @teledyn @alice yes, Microsoft Authenticator works in the attached exploit protection configuration!
Genuinely everything works on GrapheneOS, you just might have to hit that little compatibility mode toggle at the top.
Also, install sandboxed Play Services on a profile separate from your main profile to mitigate any big tech surveillance concerns without reducing the capabilities of your daily driver. Enhanced user profiles are very useful
@ProbablyNotAFed @zymurgeek @alice
+1 on @dianea 's comment - been using a P7Pro for daily driver and P6a for "experimenting" and both have run GrapheneOS just fine for some time now. My best geeking days are behind me and the install was brainless and have only had a couple minor gotchas which have turned out to be documented on the interwebs.
@teledyn As far as Google Workspace, I have that for family as well and no issues. Am not aware of any way to stop GrapheneOS updates if you migrate.
FWIW I use Ageis for 2FA today and Authy previously, also no issues.
@alice
Honestly, I think it's dead anyway. The best thing that will happen is that Google postpones this for next year. Again. It is what they want, so it is what they will do.
I know the alternatives are bad, but I believe this is the time to leave the sinking ship and throw all that energy into making Linux Mobile better.
@alchemicacht
Which is based on AOSP, the Open Source release of Android, which is dying since Google closed-source Android.
I had more stuff like Ubuntu Touch or postmarketOS in mind. None of these are drop-in replacements or can cover all hardware features. None of these ever will for all devices available on the market. That is why I think we should put our energy on these instead and let Googles Android die.
@alice
Finde mehr ΓΌber Android heraus und entdecke, wie du mit Android-GerΓ€ten das Beste von Google noch besser nutzen kannst β dank hervorragender KonnektivitΓ€t, leistungsstarkem Schutz, vielseitigen Google-Apps und Quick Share.
As soon as I pay off my Pixel 7 Pro from the carrier, I am going to go to a store to ask them to unlock it so I can put GrapheneOS on it.
@alice Isn't this what essentially killed Nokia? I still remember how back in the days their apps were crap, I actually wrote my own stopwatch app but never managed to publish because the whole process was too complicated (at least for me).
Edit: Of course the resistive screen was also very bad.
We've got until September to develope an answer to this. They don't typically backpeddle on these kinds of things, so it's likely to happen no matter what we do, so finding a solution that circumvents whatever it is they are doing is our best bet.
I use these tools, and have a *very* basic understaning of how they work, so these may be useless in this situation, but here are some tools that come to mind that maybe useful:
## Definitely Useful
- Magisk: If your phone has the abilitly to be rooted, this is ideal. Root it, remove android and install a custom ROM. (Visit xdaforums.com and search for your device with the keyword root to see if your phone can be rooted)
## Maybe useful
let me know what y'all think. Again, I know what they do, but I don't have a full grasp so may be not helpful
- Shizuku
- Opens up some filepaths and gives some extra permissions by taking advantage of wireless ADB (Android Debug Bridge). If you aren't able to root your phone, this is the next best thing.
- Debloater
- Can we use this to get rid of whatever system app Android will enforce this with?
- MicroG
- Application for spoofing Play Services, which admittedly can be a pain to set up because Google is trying real hard to keep you from using this. Honestly, probably one of the big reasons for what they're doing.
That's all i can think of for now. What do y'all think, can we use any of this to avoid this bullshit.
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.
@EU Commission, still waiting for legislation to prevent yet another google/usa monopoly and controll over user devices as well at their data.
it is about META, once/ still silently a subsidiary of us intelligence agency's.
Thank goodness my tablet is Ubuntu Touch and my mobile /e/OS, hopefully they will be less affected by this!
@alice Last i heard this changed to allowing unverified developers to keep making apps and allowing them to be installed but putting in a one-time Brady Bill "wait period" for installing them
edit: yeah it's right there on the page and as stupid as it is (i get it, middle ground and such), i actually don't like this group's final line here:
"Until Google provides a shipping implementation that can be independently verified, our position remains unchanged: all apps from non-
registered developers will be blocked once their lockdown goes into effect in September 2026."
i mean they've specifically said they won't block apps so it's a little facetious of this group to scream "our position remains unchanged: *ALL APPS WILL BE BLOCKED*".
ruins credibility, moves goalposts.
https://www.theverge.com/tech/897420/android-sideloading-unverified-developers-process
@alice it definitely isn't "you cannot install ANY apps"
and the waiting period is stupid but it's a one-time. would be better if they just made you sign a waiver.
I'm just commenting on sending info saying it's going to be impossible unless you register for a developer account. that's not accurate
@quasirealsmiths you misread the article and jumped to conclusions.
Currently, I can make an app, package it up, and send it to whoever I want. I can post it in other app stores. I can sell it on my website.
Soon, I won't be able to do that without Google's permission.
Requiring registration, having a waiting period before I can install non-Google apps, having the "free" registration option limited to 20 devicesβthat's not open. That's a multibillion dollar US corporation gatekeeping what you can do with your own "open" hardware, on an "open" OS.
@alice i've read this again and don't see it
it sounds like the limited developer is what you're citing, but they also allow completely "unverified developers" which to me sounds like just installing and building APKs like you've said
do i like a 3 tiered developer system? no. it seems it's more of a way to control the store's contents better.
unless i'm missing something readin this, i'll still be an unverified developer making my APKs for around here and i'll be able to install them on my phones but will have to do a stupid 24 hour waiting period one time to do it.
i take issue with the keepandroidopen people saying flat out "our position remains unchanged. *ALL* apps from non-registered developers *WILL BE BLOCKED*
that doesn't sound true. i don't like misleading fear mongering when there's plenty to be annoyed with that's legit from this.
https://developer.android.com/developer-verification
there is a link on that page specifically saying "For Developers who don't want to verify" that leads here: https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/03/android-developer-verification.html
where am i misreading and jumping to conclusions?
@DaveFlater from Google's announcement link, by omission:
"""
If you are a developer who doesn't distribute apps widely, we recognize that your needs may be different from commercial developers and have provided this free account for you. To maintain ecosystem security, apps can be installed on up to 20 devices that end-users have explicitly authorized.
"""
"Free limited account" implies the "developer" account isn't.
There's no dollar amount in the announcement, however.
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