Sideloading

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Sideloading refers to the act of downloading and installing mobile apps without the restrictions of designated app stores.

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.

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.

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.

It is unclear how moving to a single authority for trust would improve user experience on Android devices. For example, the 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.