A great change is coming to Android. It could mean the end of freedom for those who install APKs as we know them. Google announced new and strict measures for app developers that may turn impossible the installation of APKs. There are also rumors about the end of alternative and independent stores. The monopoly of Play Store may be near.
The information has been published on F-Droid one of the most famous APKs repositories and open source apps. This platform is known for privacy as each app from the store erases trackers and other data collection tools. F-Droid apps catalog is smaller than Google Play’s but there are lots of platforms for APKs downloading. Android ecosystem has always been linked to these files but Google wants to eliminate it. The main reason is that APKs allow for the installation of unofficial and modified apps.
Android will be more similar to iOS without APKs
F-Droid team presented an extensive release detailing the threat that new Google policies imply. In the blog they point to Mountain View company as a way to register any developer with an identity registered and verified by Google. This means official documents and personal data from the APKs creators at hand for Mountain View enterprise.
On paper it’s not a problem. However, in practice, any developer has to give away their information directly to Google. To sum up, the company will have the authority and the last word to verify any app, even those outside Play Store. This will be a tremendous blow to developers who work through independent collaboration and want anonymity. “The developer’s register decree will end F-Droid project as well as other sources for free apps and open source distribution as we know today” the release states.
Security, the main reason for Android changes
Google indicates that security is the main concern for Android policies change. It’s a need to fight against several malware threats on Android. However, F-Droid indicates that Play Store itself has been victim of malicious apps in the several occasions. The verification system they apply is not infallible. And there’s also Play Protect, a Google security tool to detect and eliminate any dangerous software.
The main worry for users and developers is for the new measure to turn Android into a closed ecosystem. It’s something similar to iOS from Apple that restricts the possibility of users installing apps in their own devices.
“If you have a PC you have the right to execute any software you want on it. This is the same for Android or iPhone devices” is another argument against the new Android policies.
The implementation of these new rules for APKs will arrive on September 2026. The freedom of users is the main topic of discussion on Internet forums. A lot of users consider this a monopolistic measure by the American brand. But there are also those who take it as a necessary measure to keep their devices safe. Time will tell what is the correct answer.