Google is inventing a special mechanism for app developers that will allow disabling APK sideloading for the app. If the feature is enabled for an app, it will refuse installing from any other source besides the Google Play store.
The change has been introduced in the the Play Integrity API update, which will allow developers to check the source of the app download. If it detects that the user has used a third-party store, the app can change its behavior. As more apps move to the new API, the chances of encountering an app that refuses to install from an alternative store or via sideloading will increase.
ℹ️ The Play Integrity API was first announced in May 2024 during the Google I/O conference. If you are an Android developer, you may be interested in reading the official documentation.
So Android app developers are getting the option to stop users from installing their apps outside of the official app store. Depending on the implementation, the user may receive a notification warning regarding potential security risks. However, if the developer wants, the app will be blocked from running completely. In this case, the user will be required to ultimately get the app from Google Play.
The company introduced the Play Integrity API in May 2024 during the Google I/O conference. For developers, the Android Developers portal has a description of the technology and a guide to working with the API.
Source: Android Authority
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