Hey guys,
I've similar posts seen within this forum a while ago, but I'm not sure if I understood the consequences completely.
I read in a German computer journal (and in some related internet posts, too) that Google plans to introduce a new 'security' policy starting September 2026.
What I understood so far:
Programmers of apps have to register themselves at Google with a fee of $25 using an official ID card, name, address, and signature keys (?). This is necessary for own written apps (not loaded in Google Play Store) as well for for side loaded apps via Fdroid and others, and own written apps, too. After activation of side loading in Android 'developer options' under settings, a side loading task (install an app from Fdroid or others) asks for authentication (e.g. pin), smartphone needs to be rebooted, after restart you have to wait 24h, and the system asking you again if you really wants to install a non Google Play Store app. All about this annoying process works only if you have a Google account.
Can anybody validate if my summary is valid. I hope I misunderstood the new rules. And if it's valid what does it mean for B4X (or B4A) developers? How can I develop apps on my smartphone for my private usage only under Android without having a Google account and registration at Google? What are the alternatives with B4X remembering the Android system is used for other activities like banking software (mostly not running on custom roms like lineage), too?
I've my own opinion on this new policy. I'm a programmer for multiple decades coming from IBM mainframes via MS Windows, Linux and now using Android devices. I feel I'm too old to play this Google games ...
Wosl
I've similar posts seen within this forum a while ago, but I'm not sure if I understood the consequences completely.
I read in a German computer journal (and in some related internet posts, too) that Google plans to introduce a new 'security' policy starting September 2026.
What I understood so far:
Programmers of apps have to register themselves at Google with a fee of $25 using an official ID card, name, address, and signature keys (?). This is necessary for own written apps (not loaded in Google Play Store) as well for for side loaded apps via Fdroid and others, and own written apps, too. After activation of side loading in Android 'developer options' under settings, a side loading task (install an app from Fdroid or others) asks for authentication (e.g. pin), smartphone needs to be rebooted, after restart you have to wait 24h, and the system asking you again if you really wants to install a non Google Play Store app. All about this annoying process works only if you have a Google account.
Can anybody validate if my summary is valid. I hope I misunderstood the new rules. And if it's valid what does it mean for B4X (or B4A) developers? How can I develop apps on my smartphone for my private usage only under Android without having a Google account and registration at Google? What are the alternatives with B4X remembering the Android system is used for other activities like banking software (mostly not running on custom roms like lineage), too?
I've my own opinion on this new policy. I'm a programmer for multiple decades coming from IBM mainframes via MS Windows, Linux and now using Android devices. I feel I'm too old to play this Google games ...
Wosl