cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/19650358

Through an updated Google API, Android app developers can now effectively block sideloading and force downloads from the Play Store.

  • NutinButNet@hilariouschaos.com
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    25
    ·
    2 months ago

    I guess the next step in piracy is to change the apk enough that it doesn’t get recognized correctly, if that’s possible? Though then everyone will have to worry about malware-ridden apps.

    I think this is horrible, aside from piracy, because you may want or need to stay on an older version of an app. I have had to for devices at work that require a specific version or just an easy way to manage the device and ensure devices only got updates we approved through our MDM.

    • lud
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      4
      ·
      2 months ago

      The app checks if the current user is licenced so you would have to crack the DRM to bypass it. It’s not like the DRM is simply a filehash and all you have to do to avoid it is to change a byte or two.