Android Fans Refuse to Abandon Sideloading Despite Google's New Restrictions
Google has implemented new measures to make sideloading apps more difficult, but Android fans are not giving up on this practice. Sideloading involves installing apps from sources beyond the Play Store, and it's a common practice among power users who value unique features and functionality that can't be found in official apps.
The new measures include additional checks, a 24-hour delay, and a mandatory phone restart. While these changes aim to prevent scammers from targeting vulnerable users, they also make it more cumbersome for users to install safe apps from reliable external sources.
Android Authority conducted a poll among its readers to gauge their opinions on sideloading. The results showed that 47.5% of respondents believe the hassle of installing apps beyond the Play Store is always worth it. A further 36.6% said they're willing to undertake sideloading, but only for certain apps.
The poll received just under 2,200 votes, and the majority of voters don't mind jumping through a few hoops to install non-Play Store apps. This number is likely to change once more users receive Google's advanced flow for sideloading apps.