this post was submitted on 23 Apr 2026

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Android Sideloading: New Rules, Advanced Flow & What Users Need to Know (2026) - World Today Journal (www.world-today-journal.com)

submitted 3 weeks ago by Itwasntme223@discuss.online to c/technology@lemmy.world

46 comments fedilink hide all child comments

As announced a couple of weeks ago, power users always have an option to enable sideloading of unregistered APK files through an advanced flow that requires an authentication step to confirm they are taking this step of their own volition and a one-off, 24-hour waiting period to deter scammers.

Sure. That's the reason why they're introducing a 24-hour delay. Not because they want to make it miserable so people stop side loading.

all 47 comments

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[–] Maerman@lemmy.world 93 points 3 weeks ago (4 children)

Man, I hate the term 'sideloading'. It's just installing an app, for fuck's sake.

[–] NarrativeBear@lemmy.world 38 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

I just sideloaded a applications on windows using a .exe and running through the installation wizard. Microsoft must hate me for not using the Windows Store /s

[–] Darkenfolk@sh.itjust.works 36 points 3 weeks ago

Microsoft must hate me for not using the Windows Store /s

Well actually...

[–] IratePirate@feddit.org 6 points 2 weeks ago

No /s required. Knowing Microslop, this is only a matter of ~~time~~ enshittification.

[–] Bitflip@lemmy.ml 10 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

We just have to normalize something worse sounding for installing apps from the play store. "I can't believe you sloploaded Signal after I told you about Molly!"

[–] Willdrick@lemmy.world 9 points 2 weeks ago

Slop is overused, how about slaveloaded, sheeploaded

Better yet: "how can you live like that?"

[–] einlander@lemmy.world -3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

People forget that it's called sideloading because, in the beginning, most android apps were sold without the ability to install 3rd party apks. You had to use adb to sideload the apk to the phone.

[–] Zak@lemmy.world 19 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

adb sideload is for installing an OS or OS update. The command to install an app is adb install.

[–] NekoKoneko@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago

Uh oh, someone tell the Android devs that is isn't Newthink compliant.

[–] artyom@piefed.social -1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

They weren't discussing the command they were discussing the action.

[–] Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world 0 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Hmmm. Where does the action name come from 🤔

[–] artyom@piefed.social 1 points 2 weeks ago

Wat

[+] artyom@piefed.social -14 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

It's distinctly different from just installing an app.

[–] tb_@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

It's distinctly different from just installing an app *via the play store

But is otherwise just installing an app.

Do I "sideload" Steam on windows too if I don't go through the microsoft store?

[–] abcdqfr@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

I mean, at the going rate of online freedom... Give it a month

[–] artyom@piefed.social -3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

But is otherwise just installing an app.

Yes, other than being different.

Do I "sideload" Steam on windows too if I don't go through the microsoft store?

No because there's no functional difference.

[–] tb_@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Please do elaborate on this functional difference the play store has and the microsoft version doesn't. I'm a little lost here.

I can use my F-Droid apps just as well as their play store counterparts.

[–] artyom@piefed.social -5 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

Check out the OP, lots of good info there about the differences.

[–] tb_@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I remain as lost as I was.

The only differences I noticed are the ones google is forcing through with their new "advanced flow", but that does not constitute a "functional difference".

[–] artyom@piefed.social 0 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

LOL you are grasping at straws so hard and I don't know why. Of course it's functionally different. I don't know how you could possibly assemble an argument otherwise.

[–] tb_@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

For something so apparently obvious you sure seem reluctant to put it to text.

Thus far I have given you the benefit of doubt, but you have yet to come with a real argument.

Either say what you mean or say nothing at all.

[–] artyom@piefed.social -2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

It's already in the text in the OP. If you can't read it or refuse to acknowledge it, me rewriting it is not going to help you.

[–] tb_@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

Clearly we are reading different articles in that case, or I must've really missed the bit you're so staunchly referring to.
Or maybe you can, I dunno, quote whatever bit of text you're so staunchly referring to?

[–] Senal@programming.dev 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

citation?

A single example is fine, i can't find any, but perhaps i'm missing something important.

[–] artyom@piefed.social 1 points 2 weeks ago

The citation is in the OP and also the comment you just replied to. Literally the entire OP article is about the differences. You can't possibly read it and not see them.

[–] fluxx@mander.xyz 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

How so?

[+] artyom@piefed.social -8 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Check out the article in OP.

[–] PM_ME_YOUR_BOOBIES@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I checked and it doesn't answer the question.

[–] artyom@piefed.social 0 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Its literally the topic of the entire article, from beginning to end. You can't possibly have read it and still not understand this.

[–] PM_ME_YOUR_BOOBIES@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

Yeah I'm not sure we're reading the same article

[–] Senal@programming.dev 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

It isn't and this is the one of many replies in which you haven't provided even a single example.

This is because you can't provide something that doesn't exist.

Even if your reading comprehension was at such a level as to genuinely think there was an example of what you are saying in that text, you'd provide it.

I can't see a scenario where you aren't trolling for engagement.

I expect some personal attacks, continued feigned ignorance, perhaps some bargain basement deflection , all very standard and boring and that's OK, if that's your skill ceiling i won't hold it against you.

But.. i'm willing to be surprised if you have something novel, perhaps some obscure fallacy I’ll have to look up, something that sets you apart from the basement dweller trolls, something noteworthy, perhaps enough to get you elevated to troll management?

You got this, i believe in you.

Also, i'll save you some time , a reply that doesn't contain a quotable example of what you've claimed will just be ignored, no more engagement for you.

[–] artyom@piefed.social 1 points 2 weeks ago

All of the examples are in the OP. If you can't read, that's not something I can help you with.

[–] Maerman@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

What? To 'sideload' an app, I do the following:

Open F-droid
Search for an app
Tap the install button

How is that different from the Google Play workflow?

[–] ThomasWilliams@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

That's not sideloading. You're happy to use a repository on F-Droid or Linux but not on Windows or Android.

[–] Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works 56 points 2 weeks ago

You know what. Fuck Linda Park, fuck this ass-kissing Google loving article. "designed to protect users from malicious software and scams" and the article keeps this tone throughout. This is not about protecting users! It's about tightening the grip on control of the app ecosystem.

Consider android authoritys article https://www.androidauthority.com/google-android-sideloading-unverified-apps-new-rules-3650343/

That at least has a little survey where you can express your take on this change

If you want a better perspective of the real impact of this for devs :
https://www.theregister.com/2026/02/24/google_android_developer_verification_plan/

[–] lemmyng@lemmy.world 13 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (3 children)

Good thing people on GrapheneOS, LineageOS and other Android OSs don't have to worry about this ~~...yet.~~

Edit: striking the "...yet" portion as it's irrelevant.

[–] black_flag@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 points 2 weeks ago

Good thing google is simultaneously slow-rolling aosp releases

[–] IratePirate@feddit.org 5 points 2 weeks ago

You can lose the 'yet'. These projects aren't going to implement this, so we're good.

[–] ThomasWilliams@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

There just won't be anything developed for them

[–] mlg@lemmy.world 8 points 2 weeks ago

Really holding out on Motorolla to add their announced GrapheneOS support because I want my funni flip phone lol

[–] Zen_Shinobi@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

*downloading

[–] Delusion6903@discuss.online 3 points 2 weeks ago

What about apps that are already installed? Are they going to be blocked from running a soon as I upgrade?

My launcher is from F-Droid.

[–] webkitten@piefed.social 1 points 2 weeks ago

Thank god I turned off system updates back in 2025 when news first leaked.