Google is set to introduce new policies that will complicate the sideloading of Android apps, adding an extra layer of complexity for users who prefer downloading applications from third-party sites like APKMirror. Sideloading, a process that allows users to install apps not available on the Google Play Store, has been a useful option for those facing regional restrictions, censorship, or other barriers. However, it requires users to enable developer settings, which can pose risks to device security, hence being disabled by default.
Changes in App Distribution
In recent years, Google has focused on optimizing app sizes, launching the Android App Bundle (AAB) format during Google I/O 2018. This innovative format allows developers to create app bundles that include files tailored for various screen sizes, languages, CPU architectures, and Android versions. As a result, users can download only the necessary components for their devices, streamlining the installation process. While Google Play manages this automatically, users still had the option to download full-size APKs.
However, as noted by Artem Russakovskii from APKMirror, Google has ceased generating “fat APKs” for many applications, meaning that only bundles will be accessible moving forward. This shift necessitates an additional step for users wishing to download and install third-party apps. Previously, users could extract applications using Android’s default Package Installer without any extra tools. Now, with the introduction of bundles, users will need to utilize tools such as APKMirror Installer or Split APKs Installer (SAI), both of which are conveniently available on the Google Play Store.
While this change is not insurmountable and should not deter users from sideloading apps, it does introduce an extra layer of complexity. For those who exclusively download apps from the Google Play Store, these changes will have no impact. Moreover, developers distributing third-party apps outside the Play Store can still provide “fat” APKs, ensuring that the fundamental sideloading process remains unchanged for those who seek alternatives.