The news article discusses a new feature in Google’s Play Integrity API that is shaking up the practice of sideloading Android apps. Previously, sideload-ready APKs were tolerated but now, developers are noticing “remediation” prompts that urge users to get the app from the Play Store. This change is affecting apps like Tesco, BeyBlade X, and ChatGPT, and shows Google’s efforts to crack down on sideloading.
Google’s Play Integrity API is used by apps to block access on phones that are modified from the stock OS, and the recent push for automatic protection adds another layer of anti-tamper measures. This move comes after Google introduced malware scanning for sideloaded apps at install time. The debate around sideloading rights for smartphone owners continues, as Google and Apple express concerns about security and reliability while European regulators have taken steps to allow sideloading with restrictions in place.
GrapheneOS has questioned the veracity of Google’s Integrity API and SafetyNet Attestation systems, recommending standard Android hardware attestation instead. The API provides an “integrity verdict” for the phone’s software environment, enabling apps to assess whether it is trustworthy for installation. Despite the pushback from developers, Google’s efforts to promote app integrity and security through the Play Store signal a shift in their approach to app distribution.
