Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration

https://hackaday.com/2025/10/06/google-confirms-non-adb-apk-installs-will-require-developer-registration/

by shaicoleman • 10 months ago

58 29 10 months ago

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

Spivak• 10 months ago

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.

bitpush4• 10 months ago

Isnt it going to be the opposite. Everytime EU says app store needs to be opened, there's a lot of HN commenters say how that's a bad idea and how App Stores help keep "malware" away. I'm assuming a lot of those folks would be thrilled to now be on Android.

Unless, ofcourse, they were all fanboys who were just defending their favorite company without any reason.

gumby271• 10 months ago

But the Android users are the exact people Apple doesn't want. Just look at how the iOS App Store defenders come out whenever someone suggests that iOS should be more open. The response is, without fail, "just go buy an Android if that's what you want". Meanwhile the success that Apple has with those people has lead Google to realize it's a great idea. What will be the response now? "Just go buy a Linux phone"?

Neywiny2• 10 months ago

I mean, not overnight, it's 2 years from now and it's been long time coming. Play protect getting in the way, permissions to install apps from other apps (honestly a really good idea and should've been there from the start but the key is I can grant it), etc. The whole thing with getting rid of working apps that aren't updated for the sake of being updated. The writing's been on the wall.

netdevphoenix2• 10 months ago

I think most people cannot afford Apple devices

dchuk• 10 months ago

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?

netdevphoenix2• 10 months ago

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.

blibble• 10 months ago

and no doubt with adb installs to come shortly thereafter

wernsey2• 10 months ago

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...

bitpush4• 10 months ago

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

gdulli5• 10 months ago

A desire to treat their customers like adults. Or to feign that desire temporarily to win the market share of those for whom that's important.

stuaxo• 10 months ago

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

wernsey2• 10 months ago

Sadly true. There was a time I would've given them the benefit of the doubt.

And don't call me Shirley

ChrisArchitect• 10 months ago

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

jerojero2• 10 months ago

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• 10 months ago

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?

Neywiny2• 10 months ago

That's what it looks like. You pay $25 and give your ID (yay more exposure from data breaches wooooo) and then you become verified. That lets your apps get installed. But if you're just installing on your own devices (with ADB), such as for development, you're fine. I see no upside to this

gdulli5• 10 months ago

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

12345hn6789• 10 months ago

No. We are rewarding Apple for having well designed hardware and software integration. Something Android (Google) has failed at, but the community has carried in Googles place. Now that Google is turning their backs and slamming the door in the communities face, Android has no real competitive edge over an Apple device.

jerojero2• 10 months ago

Yes.

But I need a phone, and I'd rather try the original at this point.

I expect the European Union to keep working towards keeping devices more open with time.

Jotalea• 10 months ago

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

smnthermes• 10 months ago

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

Google Confirms Non-ADB APK Installs Will Require Developer Registration

Related Stories