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Comment by MishaalRahman | Hacker News Reader

1) The one-time, one-day waiting period only applies if you go through the advanced flow to allow installing unregistered apps. You can still install registered apps (ie. apps made by developers who have verified their identity) even if they're distributed outside the Play Store.

2) You can use ADB to immediately install unregistered apps. ADB installs are not subject to the waiting period.

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So let's say I'm F-Droid, an organization making a direct competitor to the Google Play Store and openly pointing out how much scammy shit is available in that store. My options are 1) submit my identity to Google (my competitor) so they can identify me and choose to revoke that verification at any point, or 2) I can tell all my users that they must go through these scary dialogs AND wait 1 day before they can use my competing product? That's cool, glad we've got the options laid out in front of us.

I forgot 3) instruct my users how to use ADB from another computer to install my competing app. Awesome.

It's really ridiculous.

You'd think regulators should make Google ship a 'Choose my store(s)' screen at setup, but Google thinks the opposite is the case and Google should also be able to control app distribution outside of the Playstore.

3) And how can we keep on using F-Droid and other app stores?

4) How can we install apps made by devs who won't do the verification dance with Google?

Developers who distribute Android apps on other app stores are not strictly required to undergo verification and thus can remain anonymous, but if they choose not to, then later this year (when the enforcement of verification goes active) their apps can only be installed on certified Android devices via ADB and/or the new advanced flow.

Thus, you can still install unregistered apps if they're distributed via F-Droid or other sources, but to do so, you will need to use ADB and/or go through the new advanced flow. And remember, the new advanced flow is a one-time process - once you go through with it, you can allow your device to install unregistered apps indefinitely!

I only hope this brilliant proposal is met with a new advanced fine from regulators.

Regulators will be super happy to know they can control what you can install on your phone just by telling Google to take apps down.

I know I'm writing a complaint to my country's regulator after this. This is just blatant anti-competitive behaviour.

From https://keepandroidopen.org/ :

"As of the date of this update, it exists only as a blog post and UI mockups. The community is being asked to accept a product announcement as a functional safeguard five months before the mandate takes effect."

"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."

Mishall This sounds illegal.

Bad implementation. Like the SAVE act that requires you to bring your up to date passport just to vote. It's clearly user hostile.

I want to use the apps that don't hellbent on your Google right away. This is MY phone. I paid my money. I don't want Google to dictate what I should do.

1) Fuck

2) Google

asian development bank?

Android Debug Bridge, a CLI for connecting to Android devices: https://developer.android.com/tools/adb

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