Android Makes It Difficult to Download Third-Party Apps
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Android and iOS have always had their pros and cons. One of the main advantages of Android over Apple’s platform was its openness: apps can be downloaded not only from Google Play, but also directly from the Internet. This is called “sideloading,” and on Android it will become much more difficult.
On Monday, Google announced that only developers who have verified their authenticity on the platform will be able to distribute apps outside the Play Store. This applies to both third-party app stores, such as Epic Games for Android, and apps downloaded from separate sites. The changes will take effect in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand from September next year, and globally in 2027. That means 2025 could be the last year for unverified third-party Android apps.
The goal is not to penalize developers or users for downloading apps outside of Google’s official channels. Google says the changes are intended to make the platform more secure. The company aims to combat “convincingly fake apps” and those who quickly distribute new apps after Google blocks malicious ones.
This is a real problem for Android, too. While all computer platforms are vulnerable to malware, investigations often uncover malicious Android apps posing as legitimate ones, especially through third-party sources or suspicious websites. For example, hackers know that users want modified versions of popular apps like WhatsApp, and they host fake versions of these apps on their sites to trick them into downloading them. While these apps are available in the Play Store , Google says they are more than 50 times more likely to appear outside of the company’s official app store.
But verification requires developers to sacrifice a level of privacy they’re likely not used to. And if they’re not willing, users won’t be able to download those apps when the rules go into effect. Google says it has a different system for students and “hobbyists,” but it’s unclear exactly how that differs.
Android users are unhappy
While the security goals may be noble, the initial reaction from many Android fans was extremely negative. “This was literally the only reason I use Android over an iPhone,” one Reddit user wrote , while another commented , “What a huge step backwards.”
One user notes that these changes may be aimed at “hacked” apps designed to bypass official ad-supported apps. That’s consistent with the company taking a hard line on ad blockers in its web browser . Even if Google isn’t targeting people who don’t see ads, the changes do prevent users from installing modified or outdated versions of apps for certain purposes. This user notes that when Sonos was making it difficult to use its speakers due to app issues , sideloading the old app from third-party sources was a great solution. That won’t be possible in the future.
Time will tell if Google takes this criticism to heart, but I suspect it won’t. While Android users are vocal, many likely don’t care about downloading third-party apps and are happy to download apps almost exclusively through Google Play. I also suspect that some users who enjoy searching for apps online may simply adapt if it becomes nearly impossible.
I think Google needs to find a more balanced approach, and they may have to: last year, new EU rules required Apple to open up its app store to allow third-party marketplaces and downloads from the web. But if Google is content to allow downloads from trusted developers, they may be able to get away with the current structure.