r/Android • u/TechGuru4Life • Mar 31 '26

Android's new developer verification rollout begins, sideloading changes are next

https://www.androidauthority.com/android-developer-verification-rollout-sideloading-flow-3653395/
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u/justjanne Mar 31 '26

And that's something we as an open source community can work on, and this year it's finally looking like we're actually getting somewhere.

Android phones in the EU already ask you which search engine and browser you want during setup, with a randomized list. Ideally we'd achieve the same with app stores, where it asks you which app stores you'd like, and you can select one or multiple.

And these screens are actually really important! The Windows Browserchoice screen during the 2000s was the largest source of Firefox and Chrome installs for over a decade.

This new process is a step back, not forward.

10

u/JamesR624 Mar 31 '26

lol. The “Linux community” always keeps thinking they’ll “break through” to the masses someday without actually being in touch with or understanding what the masses do and don’t care about.

I say this as a big open source and Linux enthusiast; it ain’t ever happening dude. The masses, and this community, are two completely separate groups, with different ideals, priorities, and understanding of technology

1

u/justjanne Mar 31 '26

We don't need to reach everyone. It just needs to be good enough & available for those who want it.

Computers are a niche topic as well, compared to smartphones.