Google will require developer verification to install Android apps, including sideloading

Interesting development from a developer who distributes via both Gplay and f-droid. (April 13)

Even prior to the new draconian restrictions, Muntashir had his app blocked in several countries due to existing PlayProtect. He was able to release it from their dumb blockade by “registering” as a developer, but only for the version distributed by Gplay. The version signed/distributed by F-droid is still blocked.

(Posted in a public Telegram channel so there should be no problem copying the original here. (I had to trim it bc apparently I hit a Discourse limit)

Telegram

App Manager | CHANNEL

Good news! I have been successfully able to register App Manager and Captive Portal Controller in the Android developer verification console. From tomorrow, users from countries where App Manager had previously been restricted due to regulatory...

I have been successfully able to register App Manager and Captive Portal Controller in the Android developer verification console. From tomorrow, users from countries where App Manager had previously been restricted due to regulatory issues (e.g., Singapore, Thailand, Turkey) should be able to install App Manager without bypassing Google Play Protect. However, I didn’t receive any updates from Google regarding how all these are going to play out with Google Play Integrity API.

[SNIP]

Note that due to the verification requirements, only the “official” version of App Manager has been registered. You can download the official version from the Telegram channel, GitHub releases, Matrix group, or IzzyOnDroid repository on F-Droid. There is another F-Droid version located in the F-Droid official repository which is signed by F-Droid and couldn’t be registered at this moment.

[SNIP]

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