Google Introduces Advanced Flow to Restrict Unverified App Installs

Google has rolled out Advanced Flow, a new app sideloading option for certified Android 17 devices. The feature aims to protect users from malicious applications by adding friction when installing unverified apps on Android.

Users will need to manually enable Advanced Flow if they want to install apps from unlicensed sources. Once enabled, there will be a 24-hour waiting period before the ability to install these apps is opened up. However, users can still install apps over Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which ignores Advanced Flow settings entirely and works immediately.

Google emphasizes that Advanced Flow only restricts apps based on licensing, not third-party app installs in general. This means that mainstream app stores will still work fine, and many non-Store apps will still install without any popup.