One of Android’s defining traits has always been freedom—the ability to install apps from anywhere, not just Google Play. But that openness may be under threat. Google’s proposed developer registration rules could make sideloading far more difficult and put independent app stores at risk, sparking concerns that Android is moving closer to Apple’s locked-down ecosystem.
Under the new system, every developer would need to register with Google, providing government-issued ID, app identifiers, and signing keys. Crucially, this requirement extends beyond the Play Store. That means Google would effectively hold the keys to all Android app installations, no matter the source.
In a recent blog post, F-Droid warned the rules could “end the F-Droid project and other free/open-source app distribution sources as we know them today.” For more than 15 years, F-Droid has served as a hub for free and open-source apps, offering users a transparent alternative to Google Play. Sideloading APKs—whether from F-Droid, websites, or other app stores—has long been a hallmark of Android’s flexibility. Now, that freedom could be sharply curtailed.
Google says the move is about security, citing a desire to limit malware. But critics argue the reasoning doesn’t hold up. The Play Store itself has repeatedly hosted malicious apps despite Google’s screening, while platforms like F-Droid rely on community oversight and open-source code to ensure safety. Opponents say the real cost will be borne by small developers and privacy-focused projects unwilling—or unable—to hand over personal IDs and comply with corporate-level verification. If Google revokes a developer’s registration, their apps could become orphaned overnight.
The fallout could be global. In Europe, the Digital Markets Act requires tech giants to support alternative app stores, and Google’s rules may face scrutiny as a potential barrier. In the US, regulators are already investigating Google’s dominance in app distribution, adding another layer of antitrust pressure. Some developers estimate that as many as 30% of F-Droid’s 4,000+ apps could disappear if compliance proves too difficult.
While stronger safeguards against malware are welcome, centralizing app control under Google risks undermining the very openness that made Android stand out.
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