A change coming with Android 14 will impose restrictions on the apps that smartphone customers can set up on their units, even when they’re sideloading software program moderately than putting in it by means of the Play Retailer. 

Google’s change ought to assist cease the unfold of malware that takes benefit of exploits present in older builds of its Android OS, although for those who’re a frequent sideloader it might make it slightly more durable to make use of non-Play Retailer apps.

The yearly launch of the most recent Android model – or the most recent iOS construct from Apple, or Home windows OS from Microsoft – doesn’t simply carry new options for the very best Android smartphones to reap the benefits of. Additionally they embrace new hidden safety instruments that make it robust for hackers to interrupt into your system. Finally, hackers will discover a manner by means of the protections, however by that time, Google could have hopefully moved properly past even Android 14 to a model of its OS that’s nonetheless uncracked.

Nevertheless, discovering flaws in historical Android OS builds isn’t ineffective. Hackers can create apps that particularly goal these older variations of Google’s OS, and may then exploit its flaws to bypass a number of the protections in your smartphone for those who set up it in your system.

Fortunately Google is ready to put a cease to a number of this by placing restrictions on new and up to date apps which can be obtainable by means of the Play Retailer. Proper now, newly listed Play Retailer smartphone apps should goal Android 12 or later (or Android 11 and later if they’re constructed for WearOS) to be allowed into Google’s official app retailer.

The large replace seemingly coming to Android (through 9to5Google (opens in new tab)) is that these app restrictions will not solely exist for Play Retailer apps. A change in Android 14’s code (opens in new tab) will imply that customers trying to set up apps that aren’t obtainable by means of the Play Retailer (equivalent to by sideloading APK recordsdata) shall be blocked from the motion if the file targets too outdated a model of Android.

Initially, the change will solely block customers from putting in apps from Android’s earliest builds, however finally, sideloaders shall be restricted from putting in functions that help Android 5 or earlier. So if there’s a non-Google Play Retailer app you like that’s constructed on a really outdated model of Android, you may need to encourage the developer to offer it an replace earlier than Android 14 rolls out.

That mentioned, you’ll nonetheless have the ability to set up the outdated app, it’ll simply take a couple of additional steps with a command shell (opens in new tab). Whereas this definitely makes the method extra tedious it’ll doubtless tremendously cut back the possibility somebody by accident sideloads malware onto their {hardware} as you’ll must suppose twice earlier than putting in an app.

Over time we anticipate Google will introduce restrictions that lock customers to even later builds of Android. However within the combat towards malicious software program this technique looks as if an ideal center floor that balances safety with the liberty that has attracted many customers to the platform.

When you don’t thoughts having your downloads restricted additional within the seek for a safer OS, you may need to choose up top-of-the-line iPhones, that are a lot, a lot more durable to sideload apps onto.