Keep Android Open
Your phone is about to stop being yours. In September 2026, Google will block every Android app whose developer hasn't registered with them.
keepandroidopen.org
Or threaten to go to Apple to get Google to not make these changes.While everything in the article is true... the reality is that:
This could be Linux's decade! Windows has literally "gone out of the chat", Apple is too expensive/exclusive, and "the competition" is over.
- They have their own (kind of) "Global" legislation.
- They offer a SaS & Products "through their platforms," and you are always free to pay for it or not.
- If you do, you're bound by their service policies; if you don't... you're free to start your own Google-style company.
- If a government or bloc disagrees with your policies... it's free to refuse to provide its services and products there, turning your state into a "North Korea" at night.
- In such a hyper-connected world, governments will never say no to such a control tool. Especially in this post-truth era, where narrative is what moves the masses.
- Ordinary people don't care about these things; in fact, they encourage them to be this way because they want an apk that measures the "sound of their farts" without the Vatican, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, the NSA, and the FBI having telemetry of it.
- You're the bad guy! Because "who hides nothing... fears nothing", so what is your code hiding?
- Just as doctors, architects, and other professionals are "grouped" in colleges and guilds, paying fees & all that jazz... Programmers should be too! That's what people think.
- They don't want the APK to have risks of data leaks, etc. And if it does or were to have them... they could "initiate legal action" against the company and the indie developer(s).
- So... Since Google is the main player in the matter... It's the one that should take action on the issue.
The real problem with Android is that it is too synergistic and symbiotic to be "combated," literally (at the programming level), it is like a paraplegia or quadriplegia.
Keep in mind that supply and demand are bidirectional, as is the cost-benefit relationship. Users, companies, and programmers all get "the best product and service at the best price".
If there's one thing that article isn't taking into account, it's that this measure directly impacts the world of programming as a profession, because it literally ties it to a "job." Because until now, as a solo team, freelancer or indie developer, you could make ends meet in the Android world. But with the emergence of AI and the "now everyone's a programmer" mentality...
Android is full of WebView/Browsers apps and web devs (because they're cheaper to hire), while native programmers are extremely expensive (three times the cost of a web dev).
So... if I corner the mouse... it's easier to catch it.
Humans are not geographical or ideological beings; they respond to basic stimuli (instincts), where self-preservation is paramount.
That is why he migrates to "better climates, lands, hunting grounds, etc". And he is capable of enduring employment contracts that reduce him to servitude. The rest is just "paraphernalia" to sweeten the deal (to convince oneself) that part of oneself that knows the truth of the situation, until it says; "It was the best decision". That's why a lie repeated 1000 times becomes a "great truth". That's also why any ideology is good as long as it fills your gut.
So...
Because at the end of the day... You can fill out 500 forms, sign 1000 documents, march 20 km, endure 100 tear gas canisters, spend 2 months in jail... But Android will not belong to you.
- Are you free from your own hunger?
- Which side of the wall are you on?; Those who pray or those who make things happen?
- What is your "best" decision/choice?
Or you can start "making things happen" and make your own "Android" with whores and gambling.
@Erel must advise us. This could have serious effects for Android developers and for the B4X/B4A community. I have just complete my first major B4A app sell with massive short term and long term future potential and now it seems there is a brake being applied to this.
If that is the case I will smash every Android device I have with a hammer so big it will turn the rubbish into dust. I will not pay google a cent for what I have bought and they have no right whatsoever to stop me from developing apps that are not exploiting anyone. Had enough of our lives being controlled by the rich and 'in-famous". I bought it - i own it - is don't owe you a cent for what I have bought from you. Imagine you buy a car in 3 years down the line they (manufacturer) update the firmware on your car that you can now not start your car on any other day than for eg a Monday. Wtf is this useless world coming to? The super rich wanting to control the world population?
You forgot there are lot of programmers out there, that build apps for themselves, friends, family, companies, as a hobby without having playstore. There are developers on this forum who do not have playstore account, but develop apps, send to people to test for them.I think we will not have any consequences as programmers. In my Google play console a new option appeared. I can register there apps without having to pay any new fee to Google. All I have to do is just add package and sha256 (or sha1?) and then the app is installable. You must also add in Files folder in the appropriate file the snippet they will provide you. Then it is installable in all Android API levels. If we do these things then the process will be 100% the same I believe.
You forgot there are lot of programmers out there, that build apps for themselves, friends, family, companies, as a hobby without having playstore. There are developers on this forum who do not have playstore account, but develop apps, send to people to test for them.
What Google basically is trying to do is, everyone must register their app through the playstore console, before they can even deploy apps on their own devices or for others. And playstore console is not FREE.
I agree it is not @Erel 's job to do something but his guidance will be much appreciated as he is much closer to this than any of us - me thinks. How do we navigate this if we want to develop and deploy apps on customer devices when these restrictions are put in place? Can we still deploy apps without having to publish it on playstore? Should I just stop any development and kick it all into touch?I totally understand @Johan Schoeman and Nikos @hatzisn ...but i think there is nothing we can do, and for sure I think that isn't Erel's job to do something too...
It is nothing to do with $25... we gonna have big changes... and those 25$ will be 100$ and and may be per year...
I am also afraid that will not have the feature use devices as developers (like we can do now, at least not easily)..
Hope Google understand the danger copying Apple tactics..
The biggest fear i have... if B4A not works or stop updates in future... if Google decide to do other things...
I think this Google article tackles only the users side, on the new steps to side load.Read this: https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/03/android-developer-verification.html
Unless I'm missing something it doesn't sound too dramatic.
Can you please set this out in detail steps to follow? Most of us working on this every 2nd or 3rd weekend and not full time involved in developing apps as many of us have full time jobs far related to anything having to do with Android. I am running a company making barrier plastic packaging and only get to B4a/B4x when time allows. I need to install non-corrupt apps on customer devices (no internet required, not collecting any info and publish this on the internet , totally harmless ). I have a huge opportunity but do not want to publish this on BlackRock owned Google Play Store as it WIlL be copied and exploited to the nth degree.My previous statement wasn't accurate. I'm of course against any step that makes Android less open and this step can hurt developers who publish apps outside of Google Play.
Based on my understanding, the steps required from developers to open their device for development, are reasonable.
Like Apple did?there again google may just be commiting commercial suicide .......
It shouldn't affect anyone who is already properly registered on the developer console. In fact I didn't even have to register my apps - it was done automatically & I was sent a notification email to let me know that everything is set up as it should be.Maybe Erel should explain this for us in detail how this will affect B4A (B4X plaform) developers that develop apps for an income or for a hobby.
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