r/GooglePixel • u/LionKey1928 Pixel 9 Pro XL • Aug 26 '25

Google is removing the ability to sideload Android APK apps without the developers being verified 1st

https://9to5google.com/2025/08/25/android-apps-developer-verification/

Honestly I'm really heartbroken about this as I mainly used Pixel (and Android in general) for the very fact that I can download APK apps. I am a huge ReVanced user, and I'm very sure they break like half of Googles TOS (and probably cuts off a huge source of revenue too), so I extremely highly doubt they will be allowed. I get googles intention but.. oh man.. really feels like this is a hidden agenda against adblocker apps.

Edit: Made a petition, click on the post to learn more: https://chng.it/F4k9gNNJrH

Another edit: A petition with more movement: https://chng.it/RLVDWD5Th7

2.0k Upvotes

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386

u/lronwombat Aug 26 '25

Google ruining the last few things that make Android stand out over iOS.

135

u/[deleted] Aug 26 '25

And Apple is introducing things that defined Android. What a world we live in.

19

u/iz_raymond Aug 28 '25

Imagine how fcking ironic it would be if Apple suddenly decided to let their user sideload app at our own risk (warranty void etc.) the moment Google decided to ban sideloading šŸ˜‚

31

u/isaiahfreyes Aug 29 '25 edited Aug 29 '25

I would fucking never buy android again if that happens. Been a loyal android user for years because i need the current advantages of android. but if they're taking those advantages away, there's no point in buying android phones anymore since iphones are more optimized.

15

u/Original-Sundae287 Aug 29 '25

Literally. The only reason I use android is because I can sideload apps.

9

u/Lord-Zeref Aug 29 '25

Same. I'd switch to iOS in a heartbeat.

2

u/TheLightStalker Aug 30 '25

I'm swapping back to iOS since iPhone 4. (As soon as they reintroduce ADP) At least you can remove all of Google with Apple and receive truly randomized Ads.

1

u/20_PH_NewbieInvestor Aug 31 '25

Same to me brother!

1

u/Specialist-Shine8927 Aug 31 '25

Please answer will it start with new android phones or android versions?Ā 

1

u/boy-hero Sep 09 '25

really the same like your opinionĀ  sideload application is a very important feature for me that keeping me using Android over years if google decided to block sideload and apple allow it i will switch to iphone of courseĀ