Google starts warning Android users about installing apps from random sources with a new prompt
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Google has always been a little cautious about app sideloading. With the Android 14 update, Google introduced new warning messages telling users about the potential risks involved when downloading a Google app updated from sources other than Google Play Store. Now, this warning was initially noticed on Pixel devices along with Google’s apps and services on Android.
However, as per a recent report by Android Headlines, Google is extending this warning message to other Android devices as well as third-party apps.
According to the report, several users have reported that they are seeing this new warning prompt on non-Pixel smartphones like Galaxy S24 Ultra when downloading and installing apps from third-party sources. Interestingly, the warning also appears when downloading and installing apps from OEM’s stores like Galaxy Store on Samsung smartphones.
Google’s new warning prompt highlights the risk involved in installing apps from other sources. The prompt states that updating apps from random sources or app stores may change the app’s functionality. The prompt warns users about losing some of the features found in previous versions when sideloading the apps from other sources.
It is important to note that the prompt appears only once for each new source. This means, if users update an app from a third-party source once then the prompt will appear. However, if the update has been downloaded from the same source, the prompt won’t appear and it will let users update the app.
Why Google is showing this new warning prompt for sideloading
This goes without saying that installing apps from random third-party sources involves certain risks. The app installer file may have been tweaked to include malware, ransomware, etc and this can compromise the device’s security and affect users’ privacy as well.
This latest move from Google comes as creating a balance between Android’s open nature as well as the safety of the users on Android.
However, as per a recent report by Android Headlines, Google is extending this warning message to other Android devices as well as third-party apps.
According to the report, several users have reported that they are seeing this new warning prompt on non-Pixel smartphones like Galaxy S24 Ultra when downloading and installing apps from third-party sources. Interestingly, the warning also appears when downloading and installing apps from OEM’s stores like Galaxy Store on Samsung smartphones.
Google’s new warning prompt highlights the risk involved in installing apps from other sources. The prompt states that updating apps from random sources or app stores may change the app’s functionality. The prompt warns users about losing some of the features found in previous versions when sideloading the apps from other sources.
It is important to note that the prompt appears only once for each new source. This means, if users update an app from a third-party source once then the prompt will appear. However, if the update has been downloaded from the same source, the prompt won’t appear and it will let users update the app.
Why Google is showing this new warning prompt for sideloading
This goes without saying that installing apps from random third-party sources involves certain risks. The app installer file may have been tweaked to include malware, ransomware, etc and this can compromise the device’s security and affect users’ privacy as well.
This latest move from Google comes as creating a balance between Android’s open nature as well as the safety of the users on Android.
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