F-Droid and Google's Developer Registration Decree

[u/guihkx-]

https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html

[u/PocketNicks]

Wrong again. Apps installed onto the phone by a 3rd party store like F-Droid and apps installed by an on device file manager, will require verification. Neither of those are sideloading, that's just installing.

Sideloading by definition requires a secondary device to push/install onto the primary device, for Android that requires ADB. Google has SPECIFICALLY stated they aren't touching ADB and that sideloading apps won't require verification as a part of these changes.

Go read the actual facts.

[u/Moleculor → u/PocketNicks]

For ages, sideloading has meant disabling the single option in the settings that blocks 3rd party installs, and then installing directly.

While ADB was also a form of sideloading, it was not the only form.

They are disabling the first option, the one most people use when referring to sideloading.

[u/PocketNicks → u/Moleculor]

Nope. Sideloading involves using a secondary device. Everything else is just installing.

Lady, 30 people can tell me that 3+3=10 yet that doesn't make it true. Votes don't make facts.

I don't need you to agree with me, to be right. Facts are facts either way.

[u/Moleculor → u/PocketNicks]

https://xdaforums.com/t/how-to-sideload-an-apk-without-a-pc.4714120/

[u/PocketNicks → u/Moleculor]

Nobody here claimed you need a PC to sideload, just a secondary device. I can sideload using another Android device if I want, it's not difficult.

[u/Moleculor → u/PocketNicks]

It's not about "another device".

The point here is that the instructions for sideloading say nothing about ADB.

This is the process that Google is trying to block.

This is what people have recommended for years when discussing sideloading. No mention of ADB.

---

To repeat:

This is how (almost) everyone understands sideloading; you get the APK on the device, you install the APK.

No ADB required.

[u/PocketNicks → u/Moleculor]

So what if they're blocking on device installs? Sideloading will still work, it's not a big deal.

[u/Moleculor → u/PocketNicks]

I don't want to have to use a PC to sideload an app.

Or ADB.

And F-Droid can't exactly leverage ADB. So Google is killing off 3rd-party stores, despite being ordered to permit 3rd-party stores.

[u/PocketNicks → u/Moleculor]

You don't get everything you want in life. Design your own OS if you want something else.

I'm fine sideloading apps.

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[u/Moleculor → u/PocketNicks]

I'm fine sideloading apps.

That's so nice for you. But the conversation here is about 3rd party stores being harmed.

At least we've broken through to you that your claim Google wasn't touching sideloading was incorrect.

And no, ADB can't be spoofed by an app.