cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/42024710
Android apps are blocking sideloading and forcing Google Play versions instead
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 Alternately, the app might be experimental, under development, or perhaps no longer maintained and offered by its developer.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.
So are moded apps doomed?
If they are able to remove ads like in modded spotify, then they are probably able to remove Play Store check too.
Google’s gone full evil between this and all the YouTube ruining.
I’ve bought apps on Google Play where I’ve had to download the apk elsewhere because of restrictions like scoped storage making them almost unusable.
Neutron music players one example where they have to keep an apk on their own site to get round Google restrictions. as scoped storage is about 20 times slower not to mention a real hassle. PPSSPP is another example and probably a lot of emulators were folder access is kind of important.
What will happen with f-droid apps?
Is the Aurora store affected by this? Technically, it downloads it from Play Store, doesn’t it? So it shouldn’t be affected, right?
It’s not the store that’s the problem. The integrity API is a web API. First the app collects data about your phone locally and then it sends it to google asking “is this phone ‘safe’?”. Google then responds with how safe it believes the phone to be and the app itself makes a decision. The alternative app store is completely out of the loop.
Ah. I misunderstood. I thought the store answers the call. If Google answers, that could be a problem for custom roms, censorship, and privacy.
Indeed. I’m not sure what the format is and whether a man in the middle or fake service could be run on the device, which pretends to be google’s attestation service and just responds with a “yep, this device is fine” in the correct format. It may be easier than rewriting an entire app and be applicable to other apps as well.
Yes as the API is checking from where it has been installed. If the installer isn’t the play store app, then the same APK installed manually, would give an error.
It is going to be an incredible hassle to install geofenced apps
I think it’s more a monopoly attempt. I wonder how the EU will react if someone takes this to court.
Forcing one app store fits the bill of monopolistic action.
Hi friend! Good to see this insightful comment comes from you.
Iirc there should be a way to complain to the authorities about this, right?
Hey :) Hope you’re doing well!
That is actually a good question. Probably the consumer protection agency would be a place to report it. There must also be non-profit watchdogs, but I can’t think of any besides NOYB (none of your business) who are all about privacy.
Would it still apply if it’s not Google forcing it, but simply giving developers the choice? This doesn’t seem any different to putting code in your game to make sure it was launched from the epic games store for example.
That’s probably for a judge to decide if it ever gets to court.
