Google to make installing third-party apps on Android more difficult
Translated from Russian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Google is making it more difficult to install third-party applications on Android devices.
- Users will now need to restart their mobile devices and wait 24 hours before launching apps not downloaded from the Google Play Store.
- This change aims to enhance security by discouraging the use of unofficial app sources.
Google is implementing new security measures on its Android operating system that will complicate the installation of applications from sources outside its official Play Store. The move is designed to bolster user safety by making it harder to download potentially malicious software.
Under the updated policy, users attempting to install an app obtained from a source other than the Google Play Store will face a mandatory 24-hour waiting period. Additionally, they will be required to restart their mobile device before the application can be launched.
This stricter approach signifies Google's ongoing efforts to control the Android app ecosystem and mitigate security risks associated with third-party app installations. While the exact reasons for the 24-hour delay and restart requirement are not fully detailed, they are likely intended to create friction and deter users from proceeding with potentially unsafe downloads.
Originally published by 24.kg in Russian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.