this post was submitted on 11 Sep 2024

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Android apps are blocking sideloading and forcing Google Play versions instead (arstechnica.com)

submitted 2 months ago by lemmee_in@lemm.ee to c/technology@lemmy.world

237 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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 Alternately, the app might be experimental, under development, or perhaps no longer maintained and offered by its developer.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.

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[–] koncertejo@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 months ago (8 children)

If the Play Store becomes required like that then Android's already-shaky status as an open source base platform is going to go out the window. I'm glad there are non-Google distros of Android but there really needs to be more of a push to make a completely FOSS phone platform.

[–] IllNess@infosec.pub 0 points 2 months ago (9 children)

There are Linux phones available. I,m going to guess popularity of those devices to increase soon.

[–] SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

That was the hope with Android, too.

The problem is that as the OS is "free" that means it costs less functionally for the device manufacturer to get an OS on the device, so now they can pour more money into bloatware.

Android was supposed to stop bloatware but all it did was enable it.

Even without a forced "store" Linux is prey to the same issue of piecemeal support from various vendors all with in-house solutions that all stink.

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[–] namingthingsiseasy@programming.dev 0 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

But part of the appeal of Linux is the fact that you can repurpose existing computers running other OSes to run Linux instead. This is a great way to lower the barrier to entry for Linux, because it's easy to test it on a Live USB or a dual boot. It's much harder to do this on phones because they have locked bootloaders.

Another problem is that phones are not productivity devices - they're consumption devices. Maybe this is just my personal bias, but I don't think people will be as passionate about liberating their phones because they're inherently less useful than computers. Convenient, yes, but useful? Not as much.

That said, I would love to be proven wrong. I would definitely consider a Linux phone if they become more popular/useful, but I can't really justify spending hundreds of euros/dollars on something for which I don't see any particular use.

[–] IllNess@infosec.pub 0 points 2 months ago

When I say Linux phones, I mean selling a phone with Linux already or Linux ready, not taking existing phones with Android and putting Linux on them.

Examples:
Purism Librem 5
PinePhone Pro
Pro1 X
Volla Phone X23

[–] vikingtons@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago (4 children)

As much as I want that to be the case, I don't think full mobile gnu+Linux is really ready to use daily?

I haven't exactly been keeping up with things, mind you

[–] klymilark@scribe.disroot.org 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I used it as my daily phone for months, and... well, I'm willing to deal with the problems. Without pretty careful battery management it's not feasible, and it's hard to manage your battery given the glitches. I often found my phone dead after a couple hours because it woke the screen immediately after I locked it because... reasons, and then kept it awake until the battery died. The biggest issue aside stuff like that (small issues that cause big problems), the biggest issue was I couldn't get a map app working. There are some distros with working maps, none for my phone. Also call quality was horrendous. Like. I'm known for being able to tolerate bad quality, but this was, at times, about as bad as I remember my firefly phone being when I was 12, and I could not feasibly understand people at times with that thing.

But the only reason I stopped using it was because the wifi isn't working on it. Once I get that back up and running I'll likely switch back to it. As bad as it can be at times, I still feel more comfortable having that as my primary phone than my Android.

[–] vikingtons@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

Really appreciate the insight

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[–] MrLLM@ani.social 0 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I,m going to guess popularity of those devices to increase soon.

I don’t want to be pessimistic about it, however I think it’s gonna be like Windows: enshittification will happen, but inconvenience is “too small” for people that they’ll rather check for a workaround than leave the platform.

My guess is that we need something more appealing like the Steam Deck to make people take the step.

[–] vividspecter@lemm.ee 0 points 2 months ago

I'd be happy with 2010 era desktop Linux level of support. It doesn't need to get everybody to switch, just needs to be good enough for my needs.

[–] IllNess@infosec.pub 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

My guess is that we need something more appealing like the Steam Deck to make people take the step.

Hear me out! The Steam Phone®!

[–] 5714@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 2 months ago

Steam's UI is tolerable, but inconsistent. In a SteamDeck, OK, but in a phone? Idk.

I get that this isn't meant that seriously.

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[–] FireWire400@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago (6 children)

They’re still pissed that people won’t put up with their shitty YouTube app and use Revanced instead, eh?

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[–] bad_alloc@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 2 months ago (20 children)

Just the term "side loading" instantly frames installing software on a device you own as something shady.

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[–] penquin@lemm.ee 0 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (7 children)

What's the point of having an android phone then? I fucking hate android so much, but I only use it, not iOS, because of sideloading. ~~Of~~ If they take that away from us then why not just get an iPhone then? Our only hope is Linux phones picking up a little.

[–] Peruvian_Skies@sh.itjust.works 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

One reason would be that with an iPhone, you're paying two to five times the price of an Android phone with comparable hardware.

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[–] Cris_Color@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago

Well that fucking sucks

[–] odelik@lemmy.today 0 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (4 children)

This seems like a brilliant feature to roll out as they're getting investigated by the DOJ for being a monopoly.

[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago (4 children)

Also, didn't the EU declare that Apple needs to allow other app stores on their devices?

This seems like a bonehead move all around..

[–] dan@upvote.au 0 points 2 months ago (3 children)

Android already has other apps stores, like F-Droid.

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[–] kusivittula@sopuli.xyz 0 points 2 months ago

everyone wants to be like apple

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[–] halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

This has almost nothing to do with Google, it's a feature that has to be enabled by the app developer. Meaning they want to exclude users getting the APK for their app from elsewhere.

[–] Ohmmy@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (3 children)

Kinda. It might be 3rd parties using it but it 100% an API designed by Google to keep apps on Google Play.

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[–] chiisana@lemmy.chiisana.net 0 points 2 months ago (8 children)

App developers need ways to know the app has not been modified in unsanctioned manner, glad to see Android finally catching up on security with integrity checks.

[–] Natanael@slrpnk.net 0 points 2 months ago (2 children)

No, this will only lead people without access to Google Play to be forced to get it from somebody who has modified the app to fake the check.

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[–] surge_1@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago (6 children)

Yup, this is important for certain apps with a high security bar. Surprised at all the downvotes.

[–] chiisana@lemmy.chiisana.net 0 points 2 months ago (2 children)

This is Lemmy. If you’re not advocating for FOSS, or piracy to spite the corporations, you’re gonna get downvoted. I don’t care. We need better security standards whether these kids like it or not.

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[–] DoucheBagMcSwag@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 2 months ago

Slippery slope. Soon it wil be for all fucking mundane apps because they don't want you running a modded version...which is why fucking choice to do

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[–] mctoasterson@reddthat.com 0 points 2 months ago

This is stupid. I will dig further into the real impact to Graphene.

[–] cheers_queers@lemm.ee 0 points 2 months ago (2 children)

i JUST started enjoying adfree YouTube via revanced, now it could go away?! fuck lol

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[–] tabular@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago

Google Pain Services. Google Pisses Itself API.

[–] tilefan@lemm.ee 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

gee I wonder how long it will be before I can download the custom patches to get around this

[–] mp3@lemmy.ca 0 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Revanced patches will go BRRRRR on these

[–] cm0002@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago (3 children)

which cannot be worked around.

Well, at least not without root lol

Root detecting apps to Side loading detecting apps:

First time?

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[–] Kolanaki@yiffit.net 0 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I just won't use any apps that do this. Simple.

[–] QuadratureSurfer@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago (9 children)

Good luck when banking apps start doing this.

[–] Chozo@fedia.io 0 points 2 months ago (6 children)

I'll be real, I wouldn't trust a banking app from any third-party storefront to begin with. That's the sort of app I'd really want to be properly vetted and secured.

[–] Cris_Color@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago

If you're using a custom de-googled rom you don't have the play store, so this would just gut that functionality :/ same for any other app that decides they need this, which if the past is anything to go on is going to be a ton of apps that really don't need it

[–] Maeve@kbin.earth 0 points 2 months ago (3 children)

When did Google start verifying security on play?

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[–] ohwhatfollyisman@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago

personally, i wouldn't trust a third-party created app with my banking details. what's more, i've removed all banking apps from my phone.

i don't need to allow access to my finances on the device which is most likely to get pinched out of everything i own. plus google and apple don't need to know which banks have accounts of mine.

imo that additional inconvenience to conduct all banking transactions from a browser is worth the candle.

[–] Kolanaki@yiffit.net 0 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Cash. No app part. Just cash.

[–] QuadratureSurfer@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Yeah until the cops pull you over and take your cash under civil asset forfeiture because it's "suspicious that you have so much cash on hand".

https://ij.org/press-release/highway-robbery-in-reno-nevada-cops-use-civil-forfeiture-to-steal-a-veterans-life-savings/

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[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago

Oh shit..

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[–] subignition@piefed.social 0 points 2 months ago (12 children)

It's not like dedicated people aren't going to be able to just patch out the calls to this API from the apps themselves...

This feels like yet another attempt at DRM that is doing more harm than help.

[–] Peruvian_Skies@sh.itjust.works 0 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

You mean like literally every single attempt at DRM since the Big Bang?

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[–] T156@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago (7 children)

What is a "trustworthy software environment"?

Does that mean that it will get mad and fail you for having Developer options enabled? Having F-Droid installed? Having it plugged into a computer?

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