Google CEO Sundar Pichai Warns Android Users Not to Sideload Apps
Google CEO Sundar Pichai Warns Android Users Not to Sideload Apps
No definitely don't sideload a YouTube client that doesn't play ads!
What color do you like? I like Gray.
I like the red one with a pipe
That's rich when the Google Play store is full of malware while F-Droid is full of gems.
Is there a good guide on f-droid and sideloading you recommend?
If it is something that Google doesn't recommend then I should probably be doing it.
All you have to do is download the APK from the F-Droid website and enable installing from third-party/unknown sources in the Settings app (some versions of Android ask automatically when you try to open the APK). I also recommend disabling unknown sources for your browser once you're done as a security measure.
For F-Droid in specific, you'll need an F-Droid client. I use Droid-ify (GitHub) (F-Droid) (IzzyOnDroid), but you can use whichever you prefer. F-Droid is a good source for open source apps.
If you're sideloading from different sources, Obtanium (GitHub) (IzzyOnDroid) is useful to download apps, and keep them updated. You can even kinda use it as an F-Droid client.
Google is pretty lax on what it allows on Google play, so unless you're trying to avoid using Google services or you want to install apps that aren't on the play store, you don't need to do it.
If you want adbocking and extra features in some apps (especially YouTube), check out ReVanced.
Google isn't lying - there are risks to sideloading if you don't know what you're doing. Make sure what you're downloading is coming from legitimate sources you trust. For example, if you look up ReVanced, some unofficial websites show up which may have malware. Triple check everything is coming from an official source.
Here is a link to detailed descriptions of the recommended apps from fdroid.
Use whichever you like, but this is a good starting area:
https://lemmy.world/post/108566
https://alternativeto.net/list/28655/the-ultimate-f-droid-setup/
I'm gonna suggest droidify . It's basically a good looking f-droid client.
I'm gonna suggest droidify . It's basically a good looking f-droid client.
Just download the apk and install it.
This is the real truth. Man, the gall of that guy.
Hi, we are a spyware company. Be aware. Don't load apps that don't meet our surveillance metrics. Only download our spyware. Thank you.
Screw that guy. How about only sideload. There's another world out there, and it doesn't equate to surveillance capitalism.
Google's ADS as a whole are malicious. Try Google drivers or TeamViewer and the first sponsored links are malicious/adware. It's absolutely shocking.
I added ublock origin into my clients GPO to protect myself from viruses. Msoft just as bad if not worse since we are all using their products to be protected from.
F-Droid changed my life
It's awesome!
In court: “Google isn’t a monopoly because we allow sideloading!”
Outside of court: “Don’t sideload. It’s dangerous and terrible!”
I've tried downloading some of the games that are on the Play Store for my kids, and by God those apps are cancerous. An ad every 30 seconds and the games are made purely with getting the players to become addicted in mind. Get off your fucking high horse Pichai.
There are some games that are genuinely aimed at being educational and fun, such as the Duck Duck Goose games. Or Starfall (from the website of the same name).
Oh yeah sure! The games from Baby Bus are alright, and there are some dino games which teach you programming. All very good, but as soon as an ad appears, 9 times out of 10 it's one of those crappy, slapped together in a day, Unity games filled to the brim with ads itself. Showing characters from popular franchises (like Marvel, and most likely not paid for), and my kid goes "dad, I want that one". Now I have Family Link installed so I have to allow everything he wants to download or pay for, but geez there's so much junk on there.
I'd be sort of OK with the CEOs statement, if they did any sort of moderation on those predatory games aimed at kids. But alas.
I would say " well now I will", but I already do this
Now I'm going to do it even harder!
Basically everything outside fdroid is riddled with trackers and ads so no, thanks
Recently Android added another scary "malicious" warning to the already numerous scary dialogs if one tries to install F-Droid. The "Install anyways" button also became hidden in the "More details" menu.
It's not just F-Droid, it's any app.
This has been the final straw for me to fully de-google my life.
F you Google, Play, etc.
Currently setting up my next phone with no googlage.
aka "Please only ever buy things off the Google Play store"
If neither Google nor Apple took such a massive rake on the payments, fewer people would take issue with the main app distribution implementations. They have valid reasons for trying to keep you in their ecosystem, but those are severely undercut by taking such a huge percentage.
stfu pichai
I do what I want. I'm eating Mac and cheese and nobody can stop me!
Ironically, I see articles every month telling android users to uninstall a slew of shit malware apps that were on the play store. Thanks Pichai, but I'll take my chances with more reputable sources.
I don't have the Play Store on my phone. F-Droid (Droidify), Aurora Store, Obtanium, and Accrescent.
You know what I think I'm going to side load even harder
So they argue that they want to protect users... from epic games? Like they are going to make a virus filled app? I kinda agree people need to be protected from fortnite, but its kind if a silly disingenuous argument.
protected from fortnite
We got a number one Victory Royale
Yeah, Fortnite, we 'bout to get down (get down)
Yeah, this is what I'm talking about.
AOSP is open source. Better STFU, Sundar.
I really can't wait until we have a Linux-Mobile OS which supports android apps rather than having an entire fucking operating system running on java.
Running your OS on java is like building your house on quicksand.
Java is only the languages some apps are programmed in. There is no JVM in android. And no, the OS does not run on Java.
Both GNOME & KDE already have builds you can do this with. E.g. Mobian, which uses a lot of the work Purism has done with PureOS, is working to make even default Debian work. You can install Android apps with Waydroid, and install it on Android devices like Pixel, OnePlus, in addition to Linux native devices.
It's really not consumer ready though, I've tried desperately to use OnePlus and like devices as daily drivers but it's just not there yet sadly. The more people that try tho the better off we will be
sundar shut the fuck up
Fuck up Pichai
That article is... very confusingly written. Anybody got another source with a direct, full quote?
So does the OS. It’s done that from the beginning, but it doesn’t prevent it outright. Who gives a shit?
I've became used to enabling the play store only when I want to update or install certain specific app. I just leave the play store disable, so I don't get updates for each an every app that I might not even use.
I just wish there was a way to do this without having to browse the apps menu and find the play store each time.Aurora Store?
This is great, thank you!
Try something like 3C Toolbox or QuickShortcut Maker.
3C can do this for sure, though you may have to pay for pro to create custom shortcuts
Everyday User Bearofatime warns Prickchai he should lick ma balls.
