Google CEO Pichai advises Android users not to sideload apps

I can advise Pichai to lick my nuts

Those who complain about iOS being a "walled garden" should understand why Apple doesn't allow sideloading.

We already know. It's because Apple wants their 30% cut, you fuckin' dunce.

What makes Apple think they're the only ones who can "keep their users safe" from malware? Google can't do it just as well? Amazon can't? Samsung? Sony? Wal-Mart? F-Droid? Plenty of malware on the Apple app store.

I don't know why this is news. Most consumer Android phones, Google's included, require you to acknowledge a warning before the ability to sideload is enabled. Their stance has always been "at your own risk, we don't recommend it" and we always just laugh and say "okay, whatever dude" before we do it anyways.

Can someone please tell Pichai that I can do whatever I want with my phone that I paid for. (Also tell him to fuck off and that he can suck ma balls)

What he really means is “we want our 30% cut”

I advise him to stfu

Be Pichai.

Tell people not to sideload apps fOr SaFeTy.

Find out [Insert Malware App] has been on the play store for months and tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of people have downloaded it.

Could you imagine Laptop manufacturers saying "do NOT download apps from other websites. ONLY download from the Windows App Store"

Like, fuck off Pichai, you're insane

Are phones the only devices out there that receive such scrutiny in the tech world?? My laptop can literally do the exact same thing but better

FOSS via F-Droid is gaining momentum, they don't like it.

I'll keep sideloading if they don't allow F-Droid, NewPipe and LibreTube on the Play Store.

I agree with him. If you don't know what you are doing and just blindly install something off the Internet, it's a security concern. I would not recommend that most users side-load apps, either. You have to remember that this crowd is not representative of the average user.

Just don't take the option away from those of us who do know what they are doing.

I own my device. I get to choose what I install on it.

Google Chrome isn't on the Microsoft Store on Windows or macOS Store on macOS. Should I stop "sideloading" it according to his advice?

Edit: Found more about the quote on The Verge: https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/14/23960811/pichai-we-dont-want-to-allow-you-to-completely-compromise-your-phone

“We’re trying to strike a balance. Apple’s iPhone only allows the App Store, but we believe in choice, so on Android we allow you to sideload and install additional applications.”

I'm so conflicted about it. I don't want people to have to suffer for intentionally or unintentionally installing garbage on their phones, but I can't let that take away from how I use my device as well.

To late already formatted and installed lineageOS and f-droid

Clearly this is BS. Sideloading is perfectly safe if you just reputable resources.

What he's really saying if that the average user is too dumb and will install any rubbish from anywhere. He's not wrong but that shouldn't prevent competent users from sideloading.

At least they've made the process scary enough that the average user don't even bother to do it

It's a non issue that shouldn't be given any time.

I've sideloaded for years and never had any malware.

Well, not all the apps I want are on your store, so 🤷‍♀️.

Pichai advises Android users not to sideload apps for security reasons

s/security/financial

If we're not careful there will be a new generation of users who have no concept of "apps" at all, and will conflate sideloading (or anything 'not authorized') with an illegal process.

naa i'll keep doing what I'm doing

Ok asshole I won't sideload apps from the Play Store anymore.

I advise Pichai to suck my dick

If playstore wasn't utter shite maybe I wouldn't sideload apps

Id rather become a hermit than pay for and give up all my privacy like these assholes want. Boycott everything, enough is enough. Even grocery companies are gouging us with record profits.

Stop spending $$.

Of course i do, and install more and more sideload apps. Newpipe is good, smarttube is great, youtube premium is lame ;)

K thx bye I'm not logging in with a google account on my phone

Haven't he heard of F-Droid?

Hope there will be movement from some governments to forbid having no choice about store for apps. I don't know about iPhone but is there really no other way but apple store to install app? Apart from jailbreaking? If so I am concerned nothing has / is already been done about forcing their stores on users.