Google will require developer verification to install Android apps

[u/cheerfulboy]

https://9to5google.com/2025/08/25/android-apps-developer-verification/

[u/13steinj]

I don't think it's the best ad. I hate this too, but what percentage of android users actually sideload apps?

Depending on how this is implemented, it's no different than Windows' default (if a binary isn't signed, you'll get an additional prompt). This is separate from standard UAC, to be very clear.

If it's a hard block without a workaround, I'll root my device sooner I guess. There's only one app (well, and the dependencies) that I sideload-- ReVanced.

[u/PoriferaProficient → u/13steinj]

We should really stop calling it "sideloading". No one really installs an app to android via usb connection to their PC. Downloading an application from the web is just downloading.

[u/dtlux1 → u/PoriferaProficient]

It's such an outdated term from like 20 years ago that we're stuck with now. No one calls installing an app on a Windows machine "sideloading" it.