Google won't allow people to (easily) sideload apps through APK files on certified Android devices starting in September 2026. It will still be possible, ...

Google has announced a new mechanism in Android called Advanced Flow that will allow sideloading APKs from unverified developers for power users in a more secure way.

Google's new "advanced flow" will require Android users to enable 'Developer option' and wait for at least a day before they can install an APK from outside of the Play Store.

Obtaining Android apps outside of the Google Play Store can be a mixed bag. While Android offers the flexibility to install most apps, you must be cautious about where you get these files.

One feature that makes Android so special is the freedom to sideload APK (Android Package Kit) files, letting you install compatible apps outside the Play Store. The good news is that sideloading ...