Google locking down side loading

[Julie Kemp]

Hi there...

Has anyone heard about Google locking down Android phones so we cannot side load apps anymore? I know David is working hard to create a replacement for us, but even for his new app, it seems he is going to have to jump through hoops to get the app approved through Google.  It wasn't supposed to be this way on Android phones.

Here is a website I found:

https://keepandroidopen.org/

Here is an article I found:

https://f-droid.org/en/2026/02/24/open-letter-opposing-developer-verification.html

Is there something we all can do to help in the resistance of this?  Or is this futile?

I wonder if this will affect us still using anMoney on our existing phones, or only if we try to load it on a new phone.

Thoughts appreciated. 

Thank you,

Julie

[Russell B]

Hi Julie,  read about this first in comments in this group.  Sounds like a retrograde (takeover) step. One good thing will be if David H gets the Clone app up and fully functioning to reduce our dependence.  But I've no inside knowledge on how else this might impact users.  David's own view might be interesting as a developer?  Regards RB

[Julie Kemp]

Hi Russell,

Thank you for your response.  I had wondered if this message had actually posted.

Like you said, maybe David has more insight.

I didn't have time originally to participate in the testing of his clone app. I signed up to do so the same day I posted this thread but haven't heard back.  Maybe it's not possible to jump in so late. I would like to try it now, especially considering the concerns on this thread. What is the name of the app? I would like to install it, if possible. I don't mind paying to support it's development. 

Thank you, 

Julie 

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[David Hodges]

Hi Julie,

It's been getting harder and harder to sideload anMoney over the years so in my view it's only a matter of time before Android blocks it entirely.  To be fair to them it is a 13 year old app at this point.

R.e. my app, from what I've read about the hoops new developers are going through they're not making accounts "in good standing" go through the same hoops.   I've had my developer account for over 15 years, published multiple apps, and not had any issues so hopefully won't have a problem publishing this app when it's ready.

I disabled the Firebase Testing signup link as we have 30 people signed up and I wanted to try and manage the number of testers so I'm not overloaded.

However, I should have a public testing release on the Play Store soon, which you can sign up for here (it's not available just yet though):

https://play.google.com/apps/testing/dev.hodges.money

David

[Julie Kemp]

Hi David,

Thank you for your response re side loading. I appreciate it! 

Please ignore the message I just sent on the other thread regarding being a tester as I saw this message after sending on the other thread.

Thank you for your response. I look forward to the Public Testing release!

Julie 

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