So, I will no longer be allowed to install APKs that aren't from the Play Store? I thought they backed down on that.
A lot of people reported that they did. I don't know why. Nothing in their statement said that. They did say they were going to add some "advanced workflows" but didn't elaborate anymore than that. It says it right in the link in OP:
Update: Google has not “backed down” from developer verification: Contrary to a vague mention of a possible “advanced flow” that may eventually allow “experienced users to accept the risks of installing software that isn’t verified”, Google’s description of the program continues to state plainly that: "Starting in September 2026, Android will require all apps to be registered by verified developers in order to be installed on certified Android devices". Until such time that they have shown evidence that it will be possible to bypass the verification process without undue friction, we must believe what is stated on their official page: that all apps from non-registered developers will be blocked once their lock-down goes into effect.
Only if you have gapps installed. So just reinstall your OS. It's absent by default.
Problem solved.
Good news on the GrapheneOS front: Graphene will be available on hardware other than Pixels.
I like my Pixel 6 Pro just fine, but I'm nonetheless thrilled about this.
https://piunikaweb.com/2026/02/02/grapheneos-non-pixel-hardware-announcement/
My girlfriend and I both need new phones from her failing and buggy Samsung A52 and my Xperia 5ii. We are not going Samsung anymore because they are putting unremovable Israeli spyware baked into their devices, fairphone 6 still seems very buggy and we had a friend with a fairphone 4 with 99 problems with it, and I don't want to give google money and we want SD card slots instead of almost no memory to force cloud subscriptions.
2027 is starting to be a big ask though.
For what its worth, I've been daily driving a Fairphone 6 with /e/OS for over 4 months now and it seems quite polished to me. I've had a small number of issues that I've had to work through (as has been the case with every phone I've ever used), but I definitely wouldn't describe it as "very buggy."
So, I guess this means that f-droid can only be installed via Google Play. /s
I'm getting flashbacks to using Internet Explorer to install Firefox.
edit: made sarcasm more obvious.
This is only fuel on the EU open source initiatives.
But I'm pretty sure Google wont get away with locking down EU customers anyway, as this is clearly a breach of the DMA.
They could clam a web app is the "alternative" I guess.
They'll shut that down too. Somehow. For "security" I'm sure, even as the Play Store is infested with scam apps.
They mandate 3rd party app stores. I think we are passed that.
Google is just power grapping what they can towards everyone else to make up for lost profit.
this is clearly a breach of the DMA
Is it? I think the DMA should have been written so that it is, but Apple does essentially the same thing and EU regulators don't seem to be claiming that it's a violation.
Partly because of this, I moved to graphene.
Fuck google, simply. And I did like them 15-20 years ago. How far have they fallen..
I wish I could, but I don't want to carry around a wallet, so I need Google Wallet :( and it doesn't work on Graphene.
I have an Android device with a locked bootloader and no available custom ROMS. Am I fucked ?
Nope.
Just remove gapps. Problem solved.
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