As you likely know already, Google is preparing to launch a new “advanced” flow for sideloading on Android. This is meant to protect users who don’t know what they’re doing, as sideloading is the number one cause of malware being installed on phones.
This new workflow is designed to increase friction for users trying to install apps from an unverified developer, in the name of user protection. The biggest change is the one-day waiting period between enabling installs from unverified developers and being able to install the app.
Google is now starting to roll out this “advanced” sideloading flow. In a Reddit post, Google said this is the “first version” of this new process. Users will still need to go into Developer Options and turn on “Allow apps from unverified developers.” After that, warnings will appear before the user can start the one-time, 24-hour waiting period (which is completed by going back to that same page). Google will also allow users to turn on this setting temporarily for seven days.
Developer verification will start on September 30
The “Android Developer Verified” app, announced back in March, delivers this flow. This is also how developers can get verified, and allow users to skip these steps. It’s initially rolling out in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. But it will go global next year. Google has not specified a date in 2027 for it to go global, just that it will happen in 2027.
While this does add more steps to sideloading an app, it is a good thing. Google is not removing the ability to sideload, as many feared when this was first announced; instead, it is looking to protect users from installing malicious apps. Power users can still sideload apps, but non-power users (like your mom or grandma) will face more friction, and that is probably a good thing.
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