Android apps are blocking sideloading and forcing Google Play versions instead
arstechnica.com
"Select Play Partners" can block unofficial installation of their apps.

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/42024710

Android apps are blocking sideloading and forcing Google Play versions instead

You might sideload an Android app, or manually install its APK package, if you’re using a custom version of Android that doesn’t include Google’s Play Store. Alternately, the app might be experimental, under development, or perhaps no longer maintained and offered by its developer. Until now, the existence of sideload-ready APKs on the web was something that seemed to be tolerated, if warned against, by Google.

This quiet standstill is being shaken up by a new feature in Google’s Play Integrity API. As reported by Android Authority, developer tools to push “remediation” dialogs during sideloading debuted at Google’s I/O conference in May, have begun showing up on users’ phones. Sideloaders of apps from the British shop Tesco, fandom app BeyBlade X, and ChatGPT have reported “Get this app from Play” prompts, which cannot be worked around. An Android gaming handheld user encountered a similarly worded prompt from Diablo Immortal on their device three months ago.

Google’s Play Integrity API is how apps have previously blocked access when loaded onto phones that are in some way modified from a stock OS with all Google Play integrations intact. Recently, a popular two-factor authentication app blocked access on rooted phones, including the security-minded GrapheneOS. Apps can call the Play Integrity API and get back an “integrity verdict,” relaying if the phone has a “trustworthy” software environment, has Google Play Protect enabled, and passes other software checks.

Graphene has questioned the veracity of Google’s Integrity API and SafetyNet Attestation systems, recommending instead standard Android hardware attestation. Rahman notes that apps do not have to take an all-or-nothing approach to integrity checking. Rather than block installation entirely, apps could call on the API only during sensitive actions, issuing a warning there. But not having a Play Store connection can also deprive developers of metrics, allow for installation on incompatible devices (and resulting bad reviews), and, of course, open the door to paid app piracy.

  • ccdfa@lemm.eeEnglish
    14·
    3 months ago

    If this stops revanced from working it will be my push to install grapheneos. I don’t need the wallet function really.

      • zod000@lemmy.mlEnglish
        5·
        3 months ago

        Android Auto is in the only reason I’m not using a de-googled rom. It makes me wonder if Android Auto works fine with no internet connection/SIM. Maybe I could just keep a disconnected “beater” phone for my music and predownload maps with Organic Maps.

      • ccdfa@lemm.eeEnglish
        51·
        3 months ago

        Because I do like the wallet function. I just don’t need it. But I greatly prefer an ad free life to the convenience of wallet.

    • Draconic NEO@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      2·
      3 months ago

      The mount method using root will still work since it writes over the app rather than installing it as an update, will still seem like it was installed from play, same way it still thinks it’s google signed in that state.

    • katy ✨@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      41·
      3 months ago

      i believe it’s opt in by the app developers so unless the revanced developers specifically opt in to it, there’s nothing to worry about

      • Andromxda 🇺🇦🇵🇸🇹🇼@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        1·
        3 months ago

        Revanced is a patched version of the YouTube app, so Google could block installations of YouTube outside Google Play. I have no idea how this doesn’t violate antitrust laws, Google is a monopolistic piece of shit and seriously needs to be broken up and fined into oblivion.

    • FeatherConstrictor@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      2·
      3 months ago

      I don’t know what I’ve been doing wrong but revanced has already not been working for me. I’ve insled it correctly a couple of times and I’ve tried a few times since I couldn’t to uninstall and reinstall with whatever the latest instructions were to no avail :/