One of the changes Google is forced to make because of the antitrust trial vs. Epic concerns how sideloading works on Android.
Right now, sideloading an app on Android requires users to open an APK and, if the source app is not already approved, follow a link to settings where that option can be enabled before they can return to the installation process. Following the changes outlined in this settlement, Android will be required to simplify this process by condensing it down to one screen. Android will still be able to outline the risks of sideloading on this screen, but it will be a one-step process. The new screen will say:
Ben Schoon at 9to5Google
I’m not sure if this is a better approach. The way I have sideloading set up on my Android devices is that only File, Google’s file manager for Android, is allowed to install any APK, so even if, for some reason, I download a harmful APK accidentally through a phishing email or my browser, it will just sit inert in my downloads folder until I were to actively open Files and install said APK. It’s safeguard I most likely don’t need, but I do like having installing APKs limited to just the Google file manager for my own peace of mind.
This change would, if I’m reading things correctly, make it so that any application can more easily be given the permission to install APKs, which seems like it’s not going to encourage many more people to intentionally sideload, but will perhaps make people accidentally grant random applications the permission to do so. It’s an odd change, for sure, and I hope there’s some way to disable this if Google implements this outside of the US as well.
This will be a heyday for adware games and like.
Currently they show either a frustrating video, or a “mini cut” of another game, and encourage you to install it from the Play Store. Usually for an extra life. More of less a modern version of coin-arcade, with the difference of not spending a quarter, but possibly installing just another app.
And it is not too far fetched to see these ads that link to Play Store will just be direct installs from now on. And they might even be more insistent on actually installing the game (not sure about all the rules around this).
Basically, I agree with Thom, unless they change it to add some friction for security, we might see more proliferation of malware or shovelware on the phones.
I agree. Those who actually want to sideload are able to do it without problems now. The new system will cause the non-tech savvy to accidentally or maliciousley install crap without knowing what they are doing.
jgfenix,
I’d like to see it for myself before judging, but I didn’t have a huge problem sideloading android as is. Apple are the one who should have been compelled to fix sideloading, much more than google. Unfortunately the antitrust laws didn’t work here, justice has not been served.
This settlement doesn’t appear to be very good for users or developers: Google is still allowed to use FUD like “Granting this source permission to install apps could place your phone and data at risk”, which seems to imply that running an app could somehow destroy your phone hardware, and ignores the facts that (a) apps can’t do anything the user doesn’t grant them permission to do; and (b) using Google’s store is no safer than any other site, and arguably less safe for reasons such as: Google is still apparently allowed to prevent developers from showing their official site URL in apps on their store, forcing users to do web searches etc. to try to find the official site of the developer, possibly leading them ending up on a phishing site.