Sideloading - Revision history

D-side: Typo in the WIndows case

2026-04-24T01:13:27Z

Typo in the WIndows case

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:13, 24 April 2026
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	Another often cited reason for restricting this is the use of sideloading for malware distribution: since this installation mechanism is controlled largely by the user, the ease of this procedure allows tricking an uninformed user into installing malicious software on their devices. Whether the extent of sideloading restrictions is limited to fighting this, however, is debatable.		Another often cited reason for restricting this is the use of sideloading for malware distribution: since this installation mechanism is controlled largely by the user, the ease of this procedure allows tricking an uninformed user into installing malicious software on their devices. Whether the extent of sideloading restrictions is limited to fighting this, however, is debatable.

	== Background ==		==Background==
	Throughout most of its existence it has been a niche technical term, and as such, its meaning hasn't been very stable. All known meanings share the etymology of the word as "the process of ''loading'' from the ''side''" within the context of electronic devices, but the object of the process (what's being loaded) and what constitutes "the side" have changed several times.		Throughout most of its existence it has been a niche technical term, and as such, its meaning hasn't been very stable. All known meanings share the etymology of the word as "the process of ''loading'' from the ''side''" within the context of electronic devices, but the object of the process (what's being loaded) and what constitutes "the side" have changed several times.

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	Modern uses of the term, however, usually refer to installation of software outside of the "official" channels and generally only apply to platforms where such channels exist at all.		Modern uses of the term, however, usually refer to installation of software outside of the "official" channels and generally only apply to platforms where such channels exist at all.

	=== Failed introduction on Microsoft Windows ===		===Failed introduction on Microsoft Windows===
	On platforms where it's common for the user to obtain their software in channels outside of hardware manufacturers' control, such as downloading [[Windows]] software installers on software vendors' websites, there is no need to distinguish sideloading from installation.		On platforms where it's common for the user to obtain their software in channels outside of hardware manufacturers' control, such as downloading [[Windows]] software installers on software vendors' websites, there is no need to distinguish sideloading from installation.

	[[Microsoft]] seems to have intended to introduce ~~the~~ distinction it by building their own [[Microsoft Store]] and incentivizing software vendors to publish there, e. g. by making it the only source of software on a new cheaper edition [[Windows 10 S]], but poor reception of that edition seems to have stopped that plan from progressing any further.		[[Microsoft]] seems to have intended to introduce this distinction by building their own [[Microsoft Store]] and incentivizing software vendors to publish there, e. g. by making it the only source of software on a new cheaper edition [[Windows 10 S]], but poor reception of that edition seems to have stopped that plan from progressing any further.

	==Why it happens==		==Why it happens==
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	It is unclear how moving to a single authority for trust would improve user experience on Android devices. For example, the [https://f-droid.org/ F-Droid] project, a repository of open source apps where, unlike in Google's store, volunteers actually inspect the source code of every single app to ensure that they are safe and tracking free, announced the announced changes would mean the end for them.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=marcprux \|date=2025-09-25 \|title=F-Droid and Google's Developer Registration Decree \|url=https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250929015129/https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html \|archive-date=29 Sep 2025 \|access-date=2025-10-07 \|website=F-Droid}}</ref>		It is unclear how moving to a single authority for trust would improve user experience on Android devices. For example, the [https://f-droid.org/ F-Droid] project, a repository of open source apps where, unlike in Google's store, volunteers actually inspect the source code of every single app to ensure that they are safe and tracking free, announced the announced changes would mean the end for them.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=marcprux \|date=2025-09-25 \|title=F-Droid and Google's Developer Registration Decree \|url=https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250929015129/https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html \|archive-date=29 Sep 2025 \|access-date=2025-10-07 \|website=F-Droid}}</ref>

	== See also ==		==See also==

	==References==		==References==

D-side: Near-full rewrite, added earlier history and a case of how it didn't happen on Windows

2026-04-24T01:09:16Z

Near-full rewrite, added earlier history and a case of how it didn't happen on Windows

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:09, 24 April 2026
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	{{Stub}}		{{Stub}}
	'''Sideloading''' refers to the ~~act of downloading~~ and ~~installing mobile apps without the restrictions of designated app stores~~.		'''Sideloading''' is a term suggested by product manufacturers that refers to a secondary method of software installation, typically one with more user control compared to the primary one(-s) that are advertised more widely and openly.

	~~==Background==~~		Most recent use of the term "sideloading", one that pertains the most to consumer rights and is the main subject of this article, refers to methods of software installation from user's files on platforms where this method isn't typical. Most commonly, when a device heavily advertises installation through the manufacturer's software distribution channel. Two most famous examples of this are [[Apple App Store]] on [[iOS]] and [[Google Play Store]] on [[Android]], where software can instead be installed ("sideloaded") from <code>.ipa</code> files (after device [[Jailbreak\|jailbreaking]]) and from <code>.apk</code> files (pending major restriction as of April 2026<ref name=":0" />), respectively.
	~~[[Android]]~~ is ~~an open-source operating system that allows app downloads irrespective~~ of ~~the source~~ of the ~~app file~~. ~~When Android was bought by~~ [[~~Google~~]] ~~in 2005, Google built a software repository, the~~ [[Google Play Store]], ~~on top~~ of ~~the android framework~~, ~~leading to most app installations taking place via the Play Store~~.

	~~On the contrary~~, ~~some operating systems~~, ~~such~~ as ~~[[Apple]]~~'~~s iOS~~, ~~do not allow installation of apps outside their official~~ [[~~Apple App Store~~]]~~, except for within the European Union, where regulations forced them to allow alternative app stores such as Altstore to run~~ on ~~their phones~~.		As of 2026, in recent years manufacturers have described this practice as something only advanced users need, particularly pirates and hardware hackers, and use this as justification for restricting the feature for ''everyone'', ignoring or sidestepping [[Erosion of ownership\|the problem of erosion of ownership]] its restriction entails: restrictions on sideloading are arbitrary limitations on device capabilities imposed by manufacturers against consumers' interests.

	~~The~~ term ''sideloading'' ~~denotes~~ the ~~practice of downloading external app files~~ by ~~means other than~~ the official ~~stores~~, ~~though~~ it ~~assumes that~~ the ~~ecosystem lock-~~in is the ~~standard protocol while alternative means are "unofficial~~."		This has prompted a rise in sentiment that "sideloading" as a distinct concept is a manipulation of consumer expectations through a change in language, and a more generic term "installation" should be used instead, to make restrictions on software installation seem more impactful.

			Another often cited reason for restricting this is the use of sideloading for malware distribution: since this installation mechanism is controlled largely by the user, the ease of this procedure allows tricking an uninformed user into installing malicious software on their devices. Whether the extent of sideloading restrictions is limited to fighting this, however, is debatable.

			== Background ==
			Throughout most of its existence it has been a niche technical term, and as such, its meaning hasn't been very stable. All known meanings share the etymology of the word as "the process of ''loading'' from the ''side''" within the context of electronic devices, but the object of the process (what's being loaded) and what constitutes "the side" have changed several times.

			In earliest uses, "sideloading" used to refer to not just software installation, but to ''any'' data transfer directly between devices.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Sideloading \|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sideloading \|access-date=2026-04-24 \|website=Wikipedia}}</ref> This meaning has receded, since consumer hardware adopted standard data transfer protocols over common standards of communication such as USB, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which lifted many of the technical barriers to direct data transfers that necessitated a separate word for this.

			Later sideloading used to refer to elaborate installation procedures performed during development, troubleshooting or repair. This use is still common in some communities, such as aftermarket Android firmware development (Android Debug Bridge even includes a command by the same name) and game console hacking. In uses like this, "sideloading" is typically opposed to official software delivery methods such as over-the-air (OTA) updates in internet-connected devices.

			Modern uses of the term, however, usually refer to installation of software outside of the "official" channels and generally only apply to platforms where such channels exist at all.

			=== Failed introduction on Microsoft Windows ===
			On platforms where it's common for the user to obtain their software in channels outside of hardware manufacturers' control, such as downloading [[Windows]] software installers on software vendors' websites, there is no need to distinguish sideloading from installation.

			[[Microsoft]] seems to have intended to introduce the distinction it by building their own [[Microsoft Store]] and incentivizing software vendors to publish there, e. g. by making it the only source of software on a new cheaper edition [[Windows 10 S]], but poor reception of that edition seems to have stopped that plan from progressing any further.

	==Why it happens==		==Why it happens==
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	Google claims that this will increase security, however they have a history of allowing unsafe and low quality content on their platforms.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Abrams \|first=Lawrence \|date=September 16, 2025 \|title=Google nukes 224 Android malware apps behind massive ad fraud campaign \|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/google-nukes-224-android-malware-apps-behind-massive-ad-fraud-campaign/ \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250916174433/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/google-nukes-224-android-malware-apps-behind-massive-ad-fraud-campaign/ \|archive-date=16 Sep 2025}}</ref>		Google claims that this will increase security, however they have a history of allowing unsafe and low quality content on their platforms.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Abrams \|first=Lawrence \|date=September 16, 2025 \|title=Google nukes 224 Android malware apps behind massive ad fraud campaign \|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/google-nukes-224-android-malware-apps-behind-massive-ad-fraud-campaign/ \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250916174433/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/google-nukes-224-android-malware-apps-behind-massive-ad-fraud-campaign/ \|archive-date=16 Sep 2025}}</ref>

	It is unclear how moving to a single authority for trust would improve user experience on Android devices. For example, the [https://f-droid.org/ F-Droid] project, a repository of open source apps where, unlike in Google's store, volunteers actually inspect the source code of every single app to ensure that they are safe and tracking free, announced the announced changes would mean the end for them.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=marcprux \|date=2025-09-25 \|title=F-Droid and Google's Developer Registration Decree \|url=https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250929015129/https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html \|archive-date=29 Sep 2025 \|access-date=2025-10-07 \|website=F-Droid}}</ref>		It is unclear how moving to a single authority for trust would improve user experience on Android devices. For example, the [https://f-droid.org/ F-Droid] project, a repository of open source apps where, unlike in Google's store, volunteers actually inspect the source code of every single app to ensure that they are safe and tracking free, announced the announced changes would mean the end for them.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=marcprux \|date=2025-09-25 \|title=F-Droid and Google's Developer Registration Decree \|url=https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250929015129/https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html \|archive-date=29 Sep 2025 \|access-date=2025-10-07 \|website=F-Droid}}</ref>

			== See also ==

	==References==		==References==

Trinity: Added archived reference links

2026-02-12T17:53:31Z

Added archived reference links

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:53, 12 February 2026
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	''Main article:'' [[Google plans to restrict sideloading of Android apps]].		''Main article:'' [[Google plans to restrict sideloading of Android apps]].

	Google claims that this will increase security, however they have a history of allowing unsafe and low quality content on their platforms.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Abrams \|first=Lawrence \|date=September 16, 2025 \|title=Google nukes 224 Android malware apps behind massive ad fraud campaign \|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/google-nukes-224-android-malware-apps-behind-massive-ad-fraud-campaign/}}</ref>		Google claims that this will increase security, however they have a history of allowing unsafe and low quality content on their platforms.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Abrams \|first=Lawrence \|date=September 16, 2025 \|title=Google nukes 224 Android malware apps behind massive ad fraud campaign \|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/google-nukes-224-android-malware-apps-behind-massive-ad-fraud-campaign/ \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250916174433/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/google-nukes-224-android-malware-apps-behind-massive-ad-fraud-campaign/ \|archive-date=16 Sep 2025}}</ref>

	It is unclear how moving to a single authority for trust would improve user experience on Android devices. For example, the [https://f-droid.org/ F-Droid] project, a repository of open source apps where, unlike in Google's store, volunteers actually inspect the source code of every single app to ensure that they are safe and tracking free, announced the announced changes would mean the end for them.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=marcprux \|date=2025-09-25 \|title=F-Droid and Google's Developer Registration Decree \|url=https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html \|access-date=2025-10-07 \|website=F-Droid}}</ref>		It is unclear how moving to a single authority for trust would improve user experience on Android devices. For example, the [https://f-droid.org/ F-Droid] project, a repository of open source apps where, unlike in Google's store, volunteers actually inspect the source code of every single app to ensure that they are safe and tracking free, announced the announced changes would mean the end for them.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=marcprux \|date=2025-09-25 \|title=F-Droid and Google's Developer Registration Decree \|url=https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250929015129/https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html \|archive-date=29 Sep 2025 \|access-date=2025-10-07 \|website=F-Droid}}</ref>

	==References==		==References==

SinexTitan: grammar correction

2025-11-05T01:14:35Z

grammar correction

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:14, 5 November 2025
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	==Why it happens==		==Why it happens==
	Without meaningful competition, ~~monopoly~~ providers often become complacent and lack incentive to maintain quality and innovation. A single store means another single point of failure for a platform. When a provider stops support, perfectly serviceable devices may be bricked. Many other platforms, like Windows and Linux have a variety of stores, repositories, and individual sites for getting software. Open platforms and choice allow devices to succeed, even when a particular manufacturer's software store is not well run.		Without meaningful competition, monopolistic providers often become complacent and lack incentive to maintain quality and innovation. A single store means another single point of failure for a platform. When a provider stops support, perfectly serviceable devices may be bricked. Many other platforms, like Windows and Linux have a variety of stores, repositories, and individual sites for getting software. Open platforms and choice allow devices to succeed, even when a particular manufacturer's software store is not well run.

	Therefore, the openness of Android has made it a good option for many developers and consumers to do with their devices as they see fit.		Therefore, the openness of Android has made it a good option for many developers and consumers to do with their devices as they see fit.

Meep: Added extra context about iOS and sideloading

2025-11-04T21:36:44Z

Added extra context about iOS and sideloading

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:36, 4 November 2025
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	[[Android]] is an open-source operating system that allows app downloads irrespective of the source of the app file. When Android was bought by [[Google]] in 2005, Google built a software repository, the [[Google Play Store]], on top of the android framework, leading to most app installations taking place via the Play Store.		[[Android]] is an open-source operating system that allows app downloads irrespective of the source of the app file. When Android was bought by [[Google]] in 2005, Google built a software repository, the [[Google Play Store]], on top of the android framework, leading to most app installations taking place via the Play Store.

	On the contrary, some operating systems, such as [[Apple]]'s iOS, do not allow installation of apps outside their official [[Apple App Store]].		On the contrary, some operating systems, such as [[Apple]]'s iOS, do not allow installation of apps outside their official [[Apple App Store]], except for within the European Union, where regulations forced them to allow alternative app stores such as Altstore to run on their phones.

	The term ''sideloading'' denotes the practice of downloading external app files by means other than the official stores, though it assumes that the ecosystem lock-in is the standard protocol while alternative means are "unofficial."		The term ''sideloading'' denotes the practice of downloading external app files by means other than the official stores, though it assumes that the ecosystem lock-in is the standard protocol while alternative means are "unofficial."

MrTuttle: /* Google announces plan to restrict app downloads */ Add mention of F-Droid to back up that Google's plans will make app safety worse. I don't think their actions warrant giving them too much benefit of a doubt here.

2025-10-07T20:13:18Z

Google announces plan to restrict app downloads: Add mention of F-Droid to back up that Google's plans will make app safety worse. I don't think their actions warrant giving them too much benefit of a doubt here.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:13, 7 October 2025
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	Therefore, the openness of Android has made it a good option for many developers and consumers to do with their devices as they see fit.		Therefore, the openness of Android has made it a good option for many developers and consumers to do with their devices as they see fit.

	== Related incidents ==		==Related incidents==

	=== Google announces plan to restrict app downloads ===		===Google announces plan to restrict app downloads===
	''Main article:'' [[Google plans to restrict sideloading of Android apps]].		''Main article:'' [[Google plans to restrict sideloading of Android apps]].

	Google claims that this will increase security, however they have a history of allowing unsafe and low quality content on their platforms.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Abrams \|first=Lawrence \|date=September 16, 2025 \|title=Google nukes 224 Android malware apps behind massive ad fraud campaign \|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/google-nukes-224-android-malware-apps-behind-massive-ad-fraud-campaign/}}</ref> It is unclear ~~that~~ moving to a single authority for trust ~~will~~ improve user experience on Android devices.		Google claims that this will increase security, however they have a history of allowing unsafe and low quality content on their platforms.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Abrams \|first=Lawrence \|date=September 16, 2025 \|title=Google nukes 224 Android malware apps behind massive ad fraud campaign \|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/google-nukes-224-android-malware-apps-behind-massive-ad-fraud-campaign/}}</ref>

			It is unclear how moving to a single authority for trust would improve user experience on Android devices. For example, the [https://f-droid.org/ F-Droid] project, a repository of open source apps where, unlike in Google's store, volunteers actually inspect the source code of every single app to ensure that they are safe and tracking free, announced the announced changes would mean the end for them.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=marcprux \|date=2025-09-25 \|title=F-Droid and Google's Developer Registration Decree \|url=https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html \|access-date=2025-10-07 \|website=F-Droid}}</ref>

	==References==		==References==

Beanie Bo: more organizing

2025-10-07T19:06:18Z

more organizing

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:06, 7 October 2025
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	'''Sideloading''' refers to the act of downloading and installing mobile apps without the restrictions of designated app stores.		'''Sideloading''' refers to the act of downloading and installing mobile apps without the restrictions of designated app stores.

	== Background ==		==Background==
	[[Android]] is an open-source operating system that allows app downloads irrespective of the source of the app file. When Android was bought by [[Google]] in 2005, Google built a software repository, the [[Google Play Store]], on top of the android framework, leading to most app installations taking place via the Play Store.		[[Android]] is an open-source operating system that allows app downloads irrespective of the source of the app file. When Android was bought by [[Google]] in 2005, Google built a software repository, the [[Google Play Store]], on top of the android framework, leading to most app installations taking place via the Play Store.

Line 9:		Line 9:
	The term ''sideloading'' denotes the practice of downloading external app files by means other than the official stores, though it assumes that the ecosystem lock-in is the standard protocol while alternative means are "unofficial."		The term ''sideloading'' denotes the practice of downloading external app files by means other than the official stores, though it assumes that the ecosystem lock-in is the standard protocol while alternative means are "unofficial."

	== Why it happens ==		==Why it happens==
	Without meaningful competition, monopoly providers often become complacent and lack incentive to maintain quality and innovation. A single store means another single point of failure for a platform. When a provider stops support, perfectly serviceable devices may be bricked. Many other platforms, like Windows and Linux have a variety of stores, repositories, and individual sites for getting software. Open platforms and choice allow devices to succeed, even when a particular manufacturer's software store is not well run.		Without meaningful competition, monopoly providers often become complacent and lack incentive to maintain quality and innovation. A single store means another single point of failure for a platform. When a provider stops support, perfectly serviceable devices may be bricked. Many other platforms, like Windows and Linux have a variety of stores, repositories, and individual sites for getting software. Open platforms and choice allow devices to succeed, even when a particular manufacturer's software store is not well run.

	Therefore, the openness of Android has made it a good option for many developers and consumers to do with their devices as they see fit.		Therefore, the openness of Android has made it a good option for many developers and consumers to do with their devices as they see fit.

	[[Google plans to restrict sideloading of Android apps]]. Google claims that this will increase security, however they have a history of allowing unsafe and low quality content on their platforms.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Abrams \|first=Lawrence \|date=September 16, 2025 \|title=Google nukes 224 Android malware apps behind massive ad fraud campaign \|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/google-nukes-224-android-malware-apps-behind-massive-ad-fraud-campaign/}}</ref> It is unclear that moving to a single authority for trust will improve user experience on Android devices.		== Related incidents ==

			=== Google announces plan to restrict app downloads ===
			''Main article:'' [[Google plans to restrict sideloading of Android apps]].

			Google claims that this will increase security, however they have a history of allowing unsafe and low quality content on their platforms.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Abrams \|first=Lawrence \|date=September 16, 2025 \|title=Google nukes 224 Android malware apps behind massive ad fraud campaign \|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/google-nukes-224-android-malware-apps-behind-massive-ad-fraud-campaign/}}</ref> It is unclear that moving to a single authority for trust will improve user experience on Android devices.

	==References==		==References==

Beanie Bo: some restructuring and elaborating

2025-10-07T18:45:25Z

some restructuring and elaborating

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:45, 7 October 2025
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	{{Stub}}		{{Stub}}
	'''Sideloading''' is the act of installing programs you chose on your computer. For example, [[Android]] is an open-source operating system and when it was bought by [[Google]] in 2005, Google built on top of the android framework. They built a software repository, the Google Play Store, and tried to normalize the idea that most mobile apps ~~would be downloaded from their store. However, it was possible to enable downloading apps from outside~~ of ~~the Play Store by enabling this option in device settings~~.		'''Sideloading''' refers to the act of downloading and installing mobile apps without the restrictions of designated app stores.

	On the ~~contrary, some operating systems, such as~~ [[~~Apple~~]]~~'s iOS~~, ~~do not allow sideloading.~~ [[~~Apple App~~ Store]] ~~creates a monopoly in~~ the ~~market~~, ~~letting them censor what programs may do~~.		== Background ==
			[[Android]] is an open-source operating system that allows app downloads irrespective of the source of the app file. When Android was bought by [[Google]] in 2005, Google built a software repository, the [[Google Play Store]], on top of the android framework, leading to most app installations taking place via the Play Store.

	Without meaningful competition, monopoly providers often become complacent and lack incentive to maintain quality and innovation. A single store means another single point of failure for a platform. When a provider stops support, perfectly serviceable devices may be bricked. Many other platforms, like Windows and Linux have a variety of stores, repositories, and individual sites for getting software. Open platforms and choice allow devices to succeed, even when a particular manufacturer's software store is not well run.		On the contrary, some operating systems, such as [[Apple]]'s iOS, do not allow installation of apps outside their official [[Apple App Store]].

			The term ''sideloading'' denotes the practice of downloading external app files by means other than the official stores, though it assumes that the ecosystem lock-in is the standard protocol while alternative means are "unofficial."

			== Why it happens ==
			Without meaningful competition, monopoly providers often become complacent and lack incentive to maintain quality and innovation. A single store means another single point of failure for a platform. When a provider stops support, perfectly serviceable devices may be bricked. Many other platforms, like Windows and Linux have a variety of stores, repositories, and individual sites for getting software. Open platforms and choice allow devices to succeed, even when a particular manufacturer's software store is not well run.

	Therefore, the openness of Android has made it a good option for many developers and consumers to do with their devices as they see fit.		Therefore, the openness of Android has made it a good option for many developers and consumers to do with their devices as they see fit.

Drakeula: mention stores/devices other than android/IOS

2025-09-21T07:05:37Z

mention stores/devices other than android/IOS

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:05, 21 September 2025
Line 2:		Line 2:
	'''Sideloading''' is the act of installing programs you chose on your computer. For example, [[Android]] is an open-source operating system and when it was bought by [[Google]] in 2005, Google built on top of the android framework. They built a software repository, the Google Play Store, and tried to normalize the idea that most mobile apps would be downloaded from their store. However, it was possible to enable downloading apps from outside of the Play Store by enabling this option in device settings.		'''Sideloading''' is the act of installing programs you chose on your computer. For example, [[Android]] is an open-source operating system and when it was bought by [[Google]] in 2005, Google built on top of the android framework. They built a software repository, the Google Play Store, and tried to normalize the idea that most mobile apps would be downloaded from their store. However, it was possible to enable downloading apps from outside of the Play Store by enabling this option in device settings.

	On the contrary, some operating systems, such as [[Apple]]'s iOS, do not allow sideloading. [[Apple App Store]] creates a monopoly in the market, letting them censor what programs may do. Without meaningful competition, monopoly providers often become complacent and lack incentive to maintain quality and innovation.		On the contrary, some operating systems, such as [[Apple]]'s iOS, do not allow sideloading. [[Apple App Store]] creates a monopoly in the market, letting them censor what programs may do.

			Without meaningful competition, monopoly providers often become complacent and lack incentive to maintain quality and innovation. A single store means another single point of failure for a platform. When a provider stops support, perfectly serviceable devices may be bricked. Many other platforms, like Windows and Linux have a variety of stores, repositories, and individual sites for getting software. Open platforms and choice allow devices to succeed, even when a particular manufacturer's software store is not well run.

	Therefore, the openness of Android has made it a good option for many developers and consumers to do with their devices as they see fit.		Therefore, the openness of Android has made it a good option for many developers and consumers to do with their devices as they see fit.

Drakeula: Links to related articles, note changes in openness on android

2025-09-21T06:56:17Z

Links to related articles, note changes in openness on android

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:56, 21 September 2025
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	'''Sideloading''' is the act of ~~downloading mobile apps without the restrictions of designated app stores~~. For example, Android is an open-source operating system and when it was bought by Google in 2005, Google built on top of the android framework, and most mobile apps ~~had to~~ be downloaded ~~via the Google Play Store~~. However, it was possible to enable downloading apps from outside of the Play Store by enabling this option in device settings.		'''Sideloading''' is the act of installing programs you chose on your computer. For example, [[Android]] is an open-source operating system and when it was bought by [[Google]] in 2005, Google built on top of the android framework. They built a software repository, the Google Play Store, and tried to normalize the idea that most mobile apps would be downloaded from their store. However, it was possible to enable downloading apps from outside of the Play Store by enabling this option in device settings.

	On the contrary, some operating systems, such as Apple's iOS, do not allow sideloading. Therefore, the openness of Android has made it a good option for many developers and consumers to do with their devices as they see fit.		On the contrary, some operating systems, such as [[Apple]]'s iOS, do not allow sideloading. [[Apple App Store]] creates a monopoly in the market, letting them censor what programs may do. Without meaningful competition, monopoly providers often become complacent and lack incentive to maintain quality and innovation.

			Therefore, the openness of Android has made it a good option for many developers and consumers to do with their devices as they see fit.

			[[Google plans to restrict sideloading of Android apps]]. Google claims that this will increase security, however they have a history of allowing unsafe and low quality content on their platforms.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Abrams \|first=Lawrence \|date=September 16, 2025 \|title=Google nukes 224 Android malware apps behind massive ad fraud campaign \|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/google-nukes-224-android-malware-apps-behind-massive-ad-fraud-campaign/}}</ref> It is unclear that moving to a single authority for trust will improve user experience on Android devices.

	==References==		==References==