Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration

[ChrisArchitect]

More discussion on source: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45428832

[wernsey]

The cynic in me believes Google is doing this to exert more control over the Android ecosystem, and has very little to do with security.

I'm also afraid it will make it easier for Google to bend to authoritarian regimes and ban developers whose apps are not government approved.

Think it can't happen? Think different:

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/10/apple-bends-to-t...

[bitpush]

Didnt Apple get away with lot of App Store scrutiny with their current model. Why else wouldnt other app stores follow the practice?

[stuaxo]

Surely this is a time where you don't have to much of a cynic at all to believe this.

[jerojero]

I've been thinking of trying out the iphone for a while now.

The reason I wasn't switching is that I install a lot of open source apps on my android device, for all kinds of things.

This change seems like it might greatly affect the current developer landscape. I've been looking for alternatives on the iphone to the apps I use and in most cases they do exist. I imagine the same will happen with android. Lots of devs are going to register and so on.

However, at that point, what difference will there be between ios and android systems that will meaningfully make me stay in android? I'll try out the iphone and see how I like it. Maybe theres something thats so commonplace right now for me that will become a deal breaker. Sort of doubt it.

Big L, as always google just doing what they do best.

[tsycho]

On iPhones, you need to pay Apple $99/yr+taxes to do even personal development. Yes, technically they have a free tier, but it supports a max of 3 devices, which you can't change, ever. It's so painful that it might not as well exist.

Is Android doing the same? Do you have to pay them money to install your own, or open source apps?

[gdulli]

You'd be rewarding Apple for having originated and normalized this loss of rights. And whichever ones they go after next.

[Jotalea]

similar situation, except the apps I use simply don't have alternatives on iOS. I guess I'll have to find a workaround.

[lambdadelirium]

No need to choose between Apple or Android anymore in 2027!

[Spivak]

Right!? Apple has got to be thrilled about this. Android's one philosophically differentiating feature, that you're not bound by The App Store, just gone overnight.

[netdevphoenix]

I think most people cannot afford Apple devices

[blibble]

and no doubt with adb installs to come shortly thereafter

[dchuk]

So how will this/will this be in place at all on an android device that is using AOSP without any of the play services?

[netdevphoenix]

It wont'. For now. But this is a long game. Google has apparently reduced the amount of contributions to AOSP and it would not be surprising if they went fully closed source in the near future. That would be the end of all roms.

[smnthermes]

Non-US countries should block Google AdSense to punish Google without affecting users.