Android Sideloading Will Require a 24-Hour Wait Starting August

[harlan4096]

Google has shared details about its new Android sideloading process, which now includes a 24-hour waiting period, a mandatory phone restart, and extra confirmation steps before you can install unverified apps. These changes will start rolling out in August through Google Play Services and won’t require a system update.

The 24-hour delay only applies to apps from developers who aren’t verified on Google Play. If you’re sideloading apps from developers already registered on Google Play, there’s no delay.

How Google’s New Android Sideloading Process Works

To sideload apps from unverified developers, users will need to follow a few steps. First, they must enable Developer Mode to unlock sideloading, which introduces a slight hurdle to prevent accidental activation. Next, they'll be prompted to confirm that no one has instructed them to disable security restrictions, a step designed to reduce social engineering scams. Then, they'll need to restart their device, which Google says helps terminate any malicious processes running in the background.

After the restart, it's important to wait 24 hours before moving on. When ready, users can choose to allow sideloading either temporarily (lasting 7 days) or indefinitely. A warning will still show during installation, indicating the app is from an unverified developer.

Users can proceed after completing the necessary steps. Google emphasizes that these changes are designed to reduce scams and malicious apps, prevent trickery, and improve overall security on Android.

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