Google's new developer verification requirements starting September 2026 will force ALL Android app developers to register with Google - even those avoiding the Play Store entirely. F-Droid, the tr...
Few weeks ago google started messing with aosp. I don’t really remember what they did but I think it was either delaying security patches or something to do with firmware. The point is that they can lock apks while pointing at Roms to call the privacy users, then few years later, kill Aosp and we are done
This is only affecting roms that are Google approved and have Google play services installed meaning that going to a custom rom will fix this but also that any device currently supported by GPS will be affected. Therefore even old unsupported devices which are no longer receiving updates from their manufacturer will be locked down without the user’s choice
Google “certified” is the proper terminology. But no, it will affect the entire Android ecosystem, because people won’t develop FOSS apps for the <1% of users on uncertified devices.
The lockdown is not in android itself but in Google services so if the device is on a new enough android version (not very new like marshmallow) the lockdown will apply. If the lockdown were in android itself it would affect(effect? Idk) all roms
Everyone is suggesting LineageOS, but my big questions are:
Few weeks ago google started messing with aosp. I don’t really remember what they did but I think it was either delaying security patches or something to do with firmware. The point is that they can lock apks while pointing at Roms to call the privacy users, then few years later, kill Aosp and we are done
They are withholding device trees and driver binaries for Pixel phones in addition to releasing security patches when they see fit.
I thought it was quarterly now.
Maybe - the community tends to patch out these kinds of things
probably not as they aren’t very mature
This is only affecting roms that are Google approved and have Google play services installed meaning that going to a custom rom will fix this but also that any device currently supported by GPS will be affected. Therefore even old unsupported devices which are no longer receiving updates from their manufacturer will be locked down without the user’s choice
Google “certified” is the proper terminology. But no, it will affect the entire Android ecosystem, because people won’t develop FOSS apps for the <1% of users on uncertified devices.
Why not? How big do you think the FOSS market is now? I mean lots of them already publish on the app store which costs 25 dollars.
Source?
The lockdown is not in android itself but in Google services so if the device is on a new enough android version (not very new like marshmallow) the lockdown will apply. If the lockdown were in android itself it would affect(effect? Idk) all roms
Either we’re having two different conversations, or I completely don’t understand what you’re saying.
How would GPS services affect a roms ability to sideload 3rd party apps, and 3rd party app stores?
They call Google Play Services “GPS”, it seems. I was also a bit confused, thinking of the Global Positioning System.
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Gps ties into android at a pretty low level so it can control a lot of things
So is it worth investing time into something like LineageOS?
Yes definitely especially considering it’s not much time to invest at all you just install once then update like normal