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A comment on Google to require developer verification to install and sideload Android apps. Parent comment

Re:Google to require developer verification to install and s... by al_borland on Tuesday August 26, 2025 @12:51AM (#45022392)
What is the killer app people are sideloading these days? For people to get onboard they need to feel like they are really missing out on something they find valuable. iOS doesn't have sideloading (outside of some TestFlight loopholes), and I don't see anyone is real life talking about it. It's just activists for this kind of thing online.

I don't think the average user feels like they are really missing anything, which makes it a hard sell.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Google to require developer verification to install and s... by cft on Tuesday August 26, 2025 @01:13AM (#45022503)
I am not the average user, but my key apps are ReVanced, Termux, OsmAnd. All sideloaded. I am on a Pixel 9XL.

I definitely fly less now, because I am tired of the Orwellian circus at the airports. I guess same mechanism will reduce my smartphone use

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Google to require developer verification to install and s... by al_borland on Tuesday August 26, 2025 @08:44AM (#45025770)
Why is OsmAnd sideloaded? When I visit the website it shows it in the App Store and Play Store.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Google to require developer verification to install and s... by cft on Tuesday August 26, 2025 @01:01PM (#45029305)
i installed it from F-Droid. Prefer using the opensource ecosystem
[ Parent | on HN ]