Last September, Google confirmed that it will be making changes with the upcoming Android version to allow users to use other app stores on their phones without compromising the safety measures of the Android operating system. However, the company had not revealed what changes they were going to make to Android.
In a recent development, the search engine giant confirmed that the upcoming Android 12 will let you easily use third-party and alternative app stores to update applications on your device, reveals developer documentation.
To enable this functionality, Google has updated the PackageInstaller.SessionParams class by a new program called setRequireUserAction. This method indicates whether user actions should be performed before allowing the app to be installed.
By default, this is true for any application with REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES permission before launching any application to sideload it to an application outside of Google Play or any pre-installed application store installation session on the device.
This is a great step forward for Android users and developers! Allowing updates through third-party stores not only provides more flexibility but also opens up new possibilities for app distribution. It's exciting to see how this can benefit both users and an android app development company by expanding reach and simplifying updates. Looking forward to seeing how developers utilize this feature!
Great news about Android 12 allowing app updates from sources other than the Play Store! This is a huge step for flexibility and gives users more control over their devices. It's about time we had a more open ecosystem.
I'm particularly interested in how this will affect app development and distribution. It could open up new avenues for developers to reach users, especially for niche apps or those targeting specific audiences. For example, a Kentico development company could potentially distribute custom Kentico-based mobile apps directly to their clients without relying solely on the Play Store. This could streamline the deployment process and offer greater control over updates and branding.
Of course, security is always a concern with sideloading. Hopefully, Android 12 has robust mechanisms in place to protect users from malicious apps. It's crucial to download apps only from trusted sources, even if they're not on the Play Store.
