Leading the way in store choice
We’re introducing a program that makes sideloading qualified app stores even easier. Our new Registered App Stores program will provide a more streamlined installation flow for Android app stores that meet certain quality and safety benchmarks.
Once this change has rolled out, app stores that choose to participate in this optional program will have registered with us and so users who sideload them will have a more simplified installation flow (see graphic below). If a store chooses not to participate, nothing changes for them and they retain the same experience as any other sideloaded app on Android.
This gives app stores more ways to reach users and gives users more ways to easily and safely access the apps and games they love.
This Registered App Store program will begin outside of the US first, and we intend to bring it to the US as well, subject to court approval.
Key paragraph.
What this registration with Google/Android will look like for F-Droid (and others) should they choose to is anyone’s guess. Perhaps identification and whatnot of the people behind it?
Just the same BS.
We’re introducing a program that makes sideloading qualified app stores even easier. Our new Registered App Stores program will provide a more streamlined installation flow for Android app stores that meet certain quality and safety benchmarks.
They say this as though they weren’t the ones who made it more difficult