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Open Source Android Repository F-Droid Says Google's New Rules Will Shut It Down (f-droid.org) 78

Posted by msmash from the register-or-die dept.
F-Droid has warned that Google's upcoming developer verification program will kill the free and open source app repository. Google announced plans several weeks ago to force all Android app developers to register their apps and identity with the company. Apps not validated by Google will not be installable on certified Android devices.

F-Droid says it cannot require developers to register with Google or take over app identifiers to register for them. The site operators say doing so would effectively take over distribution rights from app authors. Google plans to begin testing the verification scheme in the coming weeks and may charge registration fees. Unverified apps will start being blocked next year in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand before expanding globally in 2027. F-Droid is calling on US and EU regulators to intervene.

Open Source Android Repository F-Droid Says Google's New Rules Will Shut It Down More | Reply

Open Source Android Repository F-Droid Says Google's New Rules Will Shut It Down

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  • Side-loading (Score:5, Insightful)

    by markdavis ( 642305 ) on Monday September 29, 2025 @06:04PM (#65691378)

    This mostly completely ruins side-loading.

    Side-loading was much more than just going around the Play Store, but it was a way to load ANY app you wanted on YOUR phone (like, perhaps, an app you developed yourself). Or maybe an app that Google doesn't want or like us using. It is a huge death-knell for community-developed open-source apps. But, of course, it will slide in place in the name of "security."

    Google is now coming full circle to "Apple" mode.

    • Re:Side-loading (Score:5, Insightful)

      by jenningsthecat ( 1525947 ) on Monday September 29, 2025 @06:47PM (#65691464)

      This mostly completely ruins side-loading.

      Side-loading was much more than just going around the Play Store, but it was a way to load ANY app you wanted on YOUR phone (like, perhaps, an app you developed yourself). Or maybe an app that Google doesn't want or like us using. It is a huge death-knell for community-developed open-source apps. But, of course, it will slide in place in the name of "security."

      Google is now coming full circle to "Apple" mode.

      I'm wondering if LineageOS will remain a way of getting around Google's bullshit.

      I'm on Lineage, and I don't have Play or any other Google services installed. Everything on my phone came from F-Droid, from websites hosting APK downloads, or from my own computer via ADB.

      I have a Pixel 7a that I plan to wipe so I can install Lineage. If LineageOS goes away, or if I lose access to the apps I'm used to, then when the time comes I'll either get a feature phone, or get a Pinephone and live with its poor battery life and its texting and phone problems. I WILL NOT rejoin the Google ecosystem, and I WILL NOT get a Fruitphone - my wife is on Apple and I hate that damned patronizing, locked-down, curated, excessively prettified bullshit ecosystem.

      BTW, fuck Google with a running chainsaw inserted sideways. Google needs to Just. Fucking. Die.

      • >"I'm wondering if LineageOS will remain a way of getting around Google's bullshit. I'm on Lineage, and I don't have Play or any other Google services installed. Everything on my phone came from F-Droid, from websites hosting APK downloads, or from my own computer via ADB."

        The main problem with this approach is that most people *MUST* be able to run "official" apps for things like their bank, rent, employer, car, etc, etc. If those are ONLY on the Play Store (which is extremely likely) then you cannot

        • >"The only open left is antt-trust regulatory action. But that isn't likely to happen either."

          Sorry, hopefully obvious typos:

          "The only option left is anti-trust regulatory action. But that isn't likely to happen either."

        • People need to quit giving in to the idea that in order to use their bank, pay their rent or use a public toilet that they need an app on a handheld computer. This is against basic human rights. You are not a second class citizen if you don't have a corporate identity disc! Refuse to be bullied into this type of thing and stand up for your rights!
          • Some governments (for example the UK government) require you to use a smartphone app to access your National Insurance record (with no other option for non-UK citizens), and they also require your relatives to use a smartphone app to acquire an "Electronic Travel Authorization" to enter the UK, even if they are EU-citizens (who have the right to enter as part of the agreement the UK signed so their citizens can travel to EU countries).

            How do I know? Because their crappy apps require relatively high versi

            • Some governments (for example the UK government) require you to use a smartphone app to access your National Insurance record (with no other option for non-UK citizens), and they also require your relatives to use a smartphone app to acquire an "Electronic Travel Authorization" to enter the UK, even if they are EU-citizens (who have the right to enter as part of the agreement the UK signed so their citizens can travel to EU countries). How do I know? Because their crappy apps require relatively high versions of Android (Android 10 and Android 12 respectively), and my trusty HTC U11+ is on Android 9, so I looked for an alternative method. Nope. Also, you can't use BlueStacks because the apps need a device with an NFC coil to scan your passport, and most PCs don't have such a thing. You will carry a corporate identity disc to have basic human rights (such as viewing your National Insurance contributions), and it must be relatively new. Eventually, I borrowed a phone that had Android 10.

              I guess if this kind of thing ever affects me to any extent, I'll be carrying multiple phones. One for banking only, one for government ID only, and one that I actually use from day to day. The first two will simply be expensive, heavy ID cards that don't fit into my wallet.

              • I guess if this kind of thing ever affects me to any extent, I'll be carrying multiple phones. One for banking only, one for government ID only, and one that I actually use from day to day. The first two will simply be expensive, heavy ID cards that don't fit into my wallet.

                Implementing a work-around can be necessary but if there is a way to put pressure against this sort of thing we should advocate for people to do it.

            • This is terrible and I know governments are getting worse but people can speak up against this. I'm obviously not suggesting it can be changed overnight but I appreciate hearing about this experience as I obviously can only speak from my own experiences. Are there legal ways to fight this and are there organizations in your region that would have the resources and knowledge to combat this?
            • I went to the UK in August, and got the ETA, on the web form the app use is promoted, but there's a link to continue without the app, which I did for me and my family. So unless they changed it in the last month, you didn't look well enough.

          • Refuse to be bullied into this type of thing and stand up for your rights!

            Thanks. As you can probably tell, I've already done that. :-) My phone's only connection with my bank is that they call me with a code for 2FA when I'm doing banking on my computer. I don't pay for anything with my phone, I don't use Facefuck or Twitt-X, and I view YouTube videos using PipePipe.

        • The main problem with this approach is that most people *MUST* be able to run "official" apps for things like their bank, rent, employer, car, etc, etc. If those are ONLY on the Play Store (which is extremely likely) then you cannot effectively use any Android alternative, unless it offers the Play Store as well. And Google then is in full control again.

          There are a number of sites and apps that let you install apps from the play store software without the play store. Some apps have play service dependencies and won't run without solutions like MicroG.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by bn-7bc ( 909819 )
          Huh rent requiers it's own app, sorry whst kind of an od landlorf is thst, don't they justbsend you a standard bill you can pay sa usual in yje app from yourbsnk, you know the one hou would expext to use for banking servise , i must be missing sumething. PS hete in Norway we now get most bills as Eknvoce stright in our banks interface so we don't need to interact with any third party system to actually recieve the bill, is the app ffor rent you talktbabout fhe landlotds coustumer portal?

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by short ( 66530 )
          I can run all the apps from 2 countries on LineageOS except for 2 banking apps from Philippines. So I switched bank (from BPI to Landbank) and not using the other banking app (GCash, I can send to GCash from Landbank). It is not so bad.

          • We really should NEVER need to use an "app" for a bank or payroll or most web sites that require two-factor. They should support standard TOTP for 2 factor so we can use any app for that which is needed and then just use a web browser. But these companies are trying to FORCE people to use their apps, which is extremely irritating.

            However, even with TOTP for those types of sites, this won't fly with things like car apps, HVAC, and many other devices that have custom apps designed for controlling them where

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by caseih ( 160668 )

        Sure if you don't want to use Google Play Services and any of the google apps, then there's no restriction. The moment you do, however, you have to lock down the OS. I'm not exactly sure how this is enforced, but I assume it's part of the Google Play Services or some other Play-delivered part of the operating system.

        There will be loads of phones from china that don't have Google Play and would be quite happy with F-Droid or any other form of side loading.

        • I'm not exactly sure how this is enforced, but I assume it's part of the Google Play Services or some other Play-delivered part of the operating system.

          Google Play Services asks for broad access to your device (just go here: https://play.google.com/store/... [google.com] , click on the arrow next to "About this app", and then click on "View Details" under "Permissions" and see for yourself). And of course, Play Services will refuse to work if it doesn't get every single one of those permissions. And of course, the Play

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by allo ( 1728082 )

        Lineage may, but it is quite possible that Play services will kill the apps. Already now "Play Protect" is monitoring what apps you run and may uninstall malware. Currently you can disable it in the play store preferences, but are you sure you will be able to disable the "uninstall apps of unverified developers" part? Google can do as they want as long as you install their unfree software parts and the only hope is the EU explaining them in detail what the sideloading rules mean, because DSA/DMA defined tha

    • Re:Side-loading (Score:4)

      by kurkosdr ( 2378710 ) on Monday September 29, 2025 @07:36PM (#65691562)
      Remember how they told us they won't lock down sideloading and how allowing sideloading was part of the Android Compatibility Definition?

    • Re:Side-loading (Score:4, Interesting)

      by WaffleMonster ( 969671 ) on Monday September 29, 2025 @08:00PM (#65691602)

      This mostly completely ruins side-loading.

      Side-loading was much more than just going around the Play Store, but it was a way to load ANY app you wanted on YOUR phone (like, perhaps, an app you developed yourself). Or maybe an app that Google doesn't want or like us using. It is a huge death-knell for community-developed open-source apps. But, of course, it will slide in place in the name of "security."

      The very notion installing software you want to use on your own computer would be called "sideloading" is an obvious attempt at psychological framing.

      In addition to rejecting persistent attempts to lock down execution from the corporations the acceptance of terminology which subconsciously lends credibility to the indefensible should also be rejected.

      What Google is doing is telling billions of people they will no longer be able to install software they want to use on the handheld computers they own.

  • And that is why I am switching to IOS soon! (Score:4, Insightful)

    by pngwen ( 72492 ) on Monday September 29, 2025 @06:25PM (#65691416) Journal

    If I'm going to be forced to wear handcuffs, I am going to have the shiniest handcuffs on the market and that is not Android. I tolerate android because it grants me the freedom to *gasp* run programs of my choosing on a computer that I own. Take that away and the value proposition is gone. iPhone here I come!

    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by cen1 ( 2915315 )
      I will seriously consider living in purgatory with one of the Linux phones and their crappy experience instead, no way in hell I am selling my soul to apple after avoiding it all these years.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by pngwen ( 72492 )

        Well if it weren't for the apps shackling me to a certified device, I would just run lineage os and be done with it. Unfortunately, my banking app and my employer's 2FA apps do not work with non-certified devices.

        • Perhaps use a 2nd cheap phone for such locked down apps?

          Why can't we do what we might do on the desktop - sandbox the shit that must be locked down, or requires Google Play, etc. to a VM/container?

    • If I'm going to be forced to wear handcuffs, I am going to have the shiniest handcuffs on the market and that is not Android. I tolerate android because it grants me the freedom to *gasp* run programs of my choosing on a computer that I own. Take that away and the value proposition is gone. iPhone here I come!

      I envy your ability to do that. I just can't stand Apple - I get hives merely accompanying my wife into one of their stores. Like you, I don't want a fucking "ecosystem". I want a phone that's also a pocket computer - one whose applications and update schedule I determine. And I don't want all my personal shit in the Cloud - that stuff is my business, not the business of my fucking hardware provider.

    • I'd rather have no phone than suffer through an iPhone or GooglePlay infested phone.

    • Apple's handcuffs are still thicker.

      I despise this change, but at least I'll be able to run Firefox with ublock origin for now.

    • Yes! And my whole family comes over to Apple alongside me, from grandma down to everyone else.

    • Talk is cheap. People have been threatening to leave Apple for a decade in the same way, they probably just posted that from their new iPhone 15.

      Your post is a nice feel good post, but I am incredibly cynical as to whether you would actually change your entire ecosystem because of this.

      • Re: (Score:3)

        by pngwen ( 72492 )

        99% of what I do on my phone is done through open source F-Droid applications. I have very little from the play store. Essentially, I have my built-in apps, Hearthstone, and then a few apps forced on me by modern society. Otherwise, my phone is a pocket linux machine with a bunch of F-Droid apps thrown in. So essentially, my platform is about to die. It's not so much that I am changing ecosystems as it is that Google is about to poison my ecosystem. So I'll simply be starting fresh in a new environment, and

        • Still there's a difference between changing apps and changing entire ecosystems. I will wager you will simply move to the Play Store apps. That will be your path of least resistance and is a world of hurt easier than switching to iPhone.

          Maybe I'm wrong, there are people who change, but I remain incredibly doubtful to the strength of your commitment to abandon Android over this.

      • My first smart phone was an iPhone 3G. After that, I switched to Android and never looked back. I can't remember the last time I had to sideload something, but if Google goes through with this shit I'll be taking a serious look at something like the Librem 5. It is $2000, but that is pretty much what all new top of the line phones cost these days.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by jvkjvk ( 102057 )

      Meanwhile, I have an apple iPhone that i tried to restore from factory default after backing it up, all according to their directions. It didn't work. After 3 hours on Apple support, *they* couldn't get it to work. So I lost my backup of my phone. Luckily, my contacts are through Google, or I would totally be screwed.

      I am still going to get an Android or similar after this phone has died. F* Apple.

  • to be Apple.

  • I recently replaced all the phones in my household with ones that are supported by GrapheneOS. I'm moving my personal email domain hosting off of Google Workspace services, but unfortunately I'm still stuck on doing Chrome Enterprise until I find a better solution for my mother's laptop management.

  • I guess a $1B fine from the EU is incoming.

  • A market for android smartphones without google having any control over it
  • Phones made in China will have this control stripped out of the Android image, and most likely other major phone makers will do the same. This will end up hurting sales of Google branded phones

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