Not sure how I should feel about this, if I should support the cause to keep android “open” (when it’s everything but), or if I should be happy that this piece of shit OS finally shows it’s true colours and people (including me) will finally be forced to find an alternative or stop using this trashware all together.
And hopefully developers finally get serious about GNU/Linux phones.
Gonna have to wing Ubuntu touch and figure it out as i go. Fuck this shit. Access the boot loader while you can
IMO the big problem with this is for old APKs that were created before this new developer registration requirement- you won’t be able to install them at all without rooting or using a different vanilla Android version.
It prohibits developers from creating apps and maintaining their anonymity but it also prevents scammers from anonymously streaming people’s money with fake apps.
Will be a big problem if their developer registration process is difficult or used as a restriction somehow to govern who can register.
Are there any details on how it will be implemented? Will it affect older versions or just new/updated devices?
The only response I’ve seen so far from F-Droid is that they’ve put up a banner to Keep Android Open. Has there been any kind of plan for next steps?
They responded to it when it first came up 4 months ago. I’ll paste my appropriate comment from that time.
The f-droid team spoke to that in a recent post. The post basically said that if that change isn’t stopped on a government level there’s no way for them to continue working. They didn’t mention roms.
Edit for the link: https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html
Sorry to piss off all the Apple shills on here, but sounds like an opportunity to me. I think there’s enough of us that want something better and some traction with Graphene and some Linux options. This should be a spark to ignite some fires. I’m disappointed but unsurpised by this news, but also a little excited about the window of motivation and opportunity this opens.
Could you go over what Graphene is for phones? Is it easy to switch to an alternative to android?
Its a version of android OS that can be installed on Google Pixel phones. Its a relatively easy switch if you’re technically inclined, but the device needs to be carrier unlocked.
If it’s just a fork of Android, doesn’t that mean 194 days from now they either need to branch off entirely and write their own code from here on out…
Or…
Never advance the base code?
No. As long as the base remains opensource (AOSP), they can remove the bad parts. Graphene has made numerous contributions to AOSP, I’m confident they can manage that. And if the user base growths, I hope their fundings will follow.
It would be a good thing for the world if AOSP was forked with big resources behind an open project with an open governance. But that needs lot of resources.
I was wondering the same. I don’t know myself, but one person said no when I asked that question. Very small sample size, no sources, so take it with a grain
So then, in 194 days, Android will be an inferior version of iOS and you may as well just switch to Apple because their devices have a better security posture.
FUCK no! Apple is dogshit locked down like crazy, so, fuck no, politely.
I don’t know if you’re being stupid or trolling, but that’s literally what’s going to happen to Android soon anyways.
Presumably Android will still allow mounting the complete phone file system and the phones to have SD cards and headphone jacks. If we lose the ability to run whatever we want that majorly sucks, but still not as locked down as iphones.
No, because you can literally use an alt app store
“Install F-Droid ↗ on your Android device(s). The more people that use alternative app marketplaces, the harder it will be to shut them out”
Also, to data transfer anything, you’re locked to iTunes on a specific device, on Android I could sideload apps from my SD card if I wanted, move pictures or video, etc.
The link you posted literally has this banner at the top
F-Droid is under threat. Google is changing the way you install apps on your device. We need your help.
It’s mostly marketing honestly. They’re both total ass.
So what other os that is supported with security updates and still works with whatapp/fb/insta sideloading is there? For me the security support and access to messaging apps is most important since that is what i use mostly. Any ideas?
- Google has announced that a workflow for advanced users to install whatever they want will remain, but hasn’t published details. Many people don’t entirely trust them about this.
- Third-party Android builds like LineageOS won’t be affected. These need a device with an unlockable bootloader. They can run any Android app that doesn’t intentionally sabotage them (some banking apps do this).
- Linux distributions for phones exist, and can run Android apps via Waydroid. This provides the most freedom for the user, but the highest effort. This is mainly suited for Linux hobbyists right now.
They aren’t competitive with Android or iOS phones presently — don’t have the scale of userbase — but there’s only one way that that’s going to change, and that’s people starting to use them.
(“Linux” here as in “GNU/Linux”, as opposed to “the Linux kernel”, which Android phones also use.)
EDIT: Another option is to try to shift software use off of mobile devices as far as is practical, if you’re willing to carry a second, larger device like a laptop. Just use the smartphone as a phone and as a modem for Internet access via tethering. I’ve generally been aiming to do that myself. I realize that that’s not practical for everyone.
That approach does have some perks — you can get your audio jack, because the space constraints of a phone go away. You aren’t dependent upon your hardware manufacturer for N years of updates before your hardware is forced to become out-of-date software-wise. The devices are generally a lot more capable and upgradeable. The hardware is more modular, and there are considerably more options. You can run whatever software you want.
But…it’s bigger, the software library isn’t generally optimized for small touchscreen use, so one-handed use while waiting in line isn’t generally ideal, and it consumes more power. You can run some Android software via stuff like Waydroid, but I’m sure that software that requires a trusted hardware stack won’t accept that.
That’s generally true. Personally, I enjoy using a laptop way more than using a mobile device of any kind.
However, modern life is beginning to require mobile apps (Android or iOS). More and more things simply aren’t available as a website or FOSS. You have to have a vanilla mainstream mobile device to do certain things like using your bank account. I really hate that.
Hardware peripherals are another area that really sucks. If you want to enjoy the comforts of modern life, many people just bow down and use one of the two mobile platforms in order to use their smart ring/scale/lights/curtains/heating/car, etc.
Resisting all that is getting increasingly difficult, because there’s so much to resist. On the other hand, resisting is also becoming increasingly appealing as enshittification intensifies.
(“Linux” here as in “GNU/Linux”, as opposed to “the Linux kernel”, which Android phones also use.)
I feel compelled to point out that PostmarketOS, one of the popular Linux phone options is not, in fact GNU. It’s based on musl and BusyBox, not glibc and GNU utils.
How do I "uncertify"y Android device? Install a fork I guess. Shame it’s not as easy as installing a new OS on the desktop.
It is, if you can unlock the bootloader.
Maybe the only good use of AI is someone automates reverse engineering drivers for mobile.
They’re gonna take away my Projectivy, aren’t they? 😔
First I’m hearing of this launcher. Definately gonna download the apks.
I’m in PDX and setting a webcam as my TV launcher’s background has been the coziest, bestest thing ever. Way better than the default page o’ ads.
I’m assuming that this would apply to any “flavor” of android?
So Graphene is not immune from this?Nvm, guess it is
From what I’ve heard, google free android versions won’t be effected.
What if I have an android installation that has google, but I watch one of those videos on youtube that says “degoogle your android phone”? Is that enough? Or will I need a full installation that has no google right from the start?
The way I understand it, you need a non-stock Android that wouldn’t enforce the cert requirements
It was þis which prompted me to take þe plunge and order an FLX1s. I’ve been completely off Android for two weeks now. Mobile Linux is coming along just in time. Maybe just barely; I wouldn’t recommend Phosh to anyone but enthusiasts, but it’s getting þere, if slowly.
you forgot one.
The pronunciation is not thorn there.
That’s the only one where the pronunciation actually is thorn. The rest are eth (ð).
Really no point in having an android anymore, might as well as get the iphone
From one semi-closed garden to a fully closed gaden? Might as well try Lineage or e/OS
gonna buy a couple pigeons and some thumb drives.
I don’t think you can plug a thumb drive into a pidgeon.
I don’t think you can plug a thumb drive into a pidgeon.
This my guy right here:
you gotta get em a lil backpack then it works.
Was there ever? If you’re gonna pay iPhone prices but get weaker hardware and they sell your personal data, why not just get an iPhone? Custom launcher? Better keyboard? Certainly valid reasons, but I just don’t see the value.
Way I see it, my iPhone is a pocket version of my Mac. A computer sold as an actual computer, not a vector to sweep up my personal data and sell it to the highest bidder.
Never got down with Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, or any of that shit. Yes, I know, I’m the weird one. And I’m okay with that.
Way I see it, my iPhone is a pocket version of my Mac.
The thing is, you can install software from whatever source you like on your Mac. That’s not true of your iPhone - even in the EU and Japan where they’ve been forced to open up a little, apps can only be installed with Apple’s permission.
Macs were completely open in that regard until recently. You could install apps from wherever you want. Now, Mac apps have to be notarized by Apple or installing them requires use of the command line. That’s obnoxious, but the user still has the final say, unlike the iPhone.
That’s what I’m thinking, been on pretty much straight Google since my Samsung Galaxy Nexus, moto g 2013 Google edition, then all pixels, but I’ve got / love my MacBook Pro and having an iPhone would probably complement that a bit.
Sadly many won’t care, but for those that do it removes one of the key differentiators. Plus it’s kind of hard to trust a company that has had such a wild change in values - Apple have at least been consistent.
Edit: I didn’t think it needed to be spelled out, but no I’m not suggesting Apple are trustworthy.
Tim Cook is a billionaire. I trust him no more than any other billionaire.
Lest anyone forgets, he’s put money into Trumps inauguration fund, and if I remember correctly, some other things as well.
I’ll keep grabbing refurbished, carrier unlocked androids from Backmarket, and load GrapheneOS on em.
BackMarket is the way to go. I won’t buy tech from anywhere else. No more money to big tech companies who only care about the bottom line no matter the cost.
Absolutely the way to go! I haven’t bought a new phone since 2015. When I can afford it, I’ll grab a laptop to replace my 7 year old HP envy.
