Android
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Nope, Android itself is not restrictive, it's the extra add-ons by vendors that cause restrictions.
This is it.
I switched to Pixel phones ordered from Google. I can replace the software with whatever and not worry about breaking an eFuse warranty.
If they are going to restrict sideloading, they'll probably restrict bootloader unlocking too. In the future, just make sure you research the bootloader unlockablility before buying a phone, because the next pixel might be locked.
It's cellular providers who restrict bootloader locking generally. But you're right but that would go against the grain as the Pixel series are designed to be the flagship for AOSP
I used to root my Android phones. Then I stopped because all banking apps were disallowing launch if your phone was detected as having root.
yeah i wish there was a reliable way to fix this, last time i checked there werent any. also those apps didnt even show up in play store (ex.: revolut)
I'm using revolut on a rooted device, no issues on 3 banking apps. Google Pay can be a hit or miss though, had it working a month ago but now it fails.
In the last 3 or 4 years I think I've had gpay not work, like, 1 day. And that's just because I updated magisk wrong. Magisk and either magisk hide or zygisk (depending on OS version) have been rock solid for me for quite some time.
People complain about this as if it's some sort of massive roadblock that nobody's solved yet.
Magisk Hide handles this and has been around for years. Venture around on the relevant XDA forum and SEARCH
Can approve this. After each clean flash I just install universal safetynet fix module and enable zygisk. I am able to pass safetynet, it took my like 10 mins and I didn't need any super knowledge.
You can just hide root from those apps. I have everything working, even Google Pay.
Back when I looked into this, which was more than half a decade ago, it was a nightmare to figure out what worked and what didn’t. The XDA community is also hard to distangle.
Maybe it’s changed since then but I didn’t have the time to look into what worked and what didn’t.
No. Because if your write Software for Android you rely on the Android Debug Bridge (in short ADB). So it is an necessary part for debugging your Software. And ADB always allows installing New Software.
No as others said for legal and development reasons but also other companies have their own versions of the play store (which avoids Google's fees) and might not agree to continue manufacturing
As long as Android remains open-source, someone will always provide an alternative version if Google restricts the "official" OS
I don't think so, since that is one of the factors that makes Android "unique" as a mobile operating system since it gives you the freedom to install the app you want, it is in the official store or not
(sorry for my English)
If you're talking about things like Google deprecating the two apps, then yes such things will continue. Google is slowly starting to sink (for whatever reason), and they are trying their hand at YouTube advertisements and Android.
But the source of Android is FOSS, and whilst Google does make up majority of the development efforts, if they were to close-source everything they would be causing massive ripples through the tech industry. I'm sure Samsung is going to try their (admittedly, very expensive) hand in court too if Google takes such a lick. So will Huawei and Xiaomi in the Chinese courts. Not to mention that Google benefits from the patches provided to Android from the FOSS community.
I don't think it's going to happen soon, if it does.
Actually you may not be too far off. Noticed recently that users don't have access to their Android>OBB or Data folders anymore through the normal files app. I know there is a workaround but I haven't been able to get it to work. This may not affect downloading/installing apk's from other sources, but if you have to manually install the OBB/Data you cannot do that.
Um I still can. You use a file explorer app (I use an app called ZArchiver) and find the directory, tap on it and there is a pop up telling you to grant it permission, then you will need to locate it using a android system file explorer, and once you find it, you can grant permission to access the directory to the app. I know its hard to describe using words, but I can record my screen and show it to you.
Edit: In android 13 the data and obb diectory aren't actually restricted to third party file explorers, only the sub-directories, like the files used by an app (those directories starting with "com.") are resteicted and you need to manually grant permission using the method I said. I can access data and obb just fine using ZArchiver.
This is what I meant, thank you for specifying :)
It is weird, I have a Redmi Note 9s and my phone comes with both a xiaomi files app and a google files app. I can't see the data or obb folders with the xiaomi one but I can read and modify them with the google app one.
So I assume this limitation is only for third party apps?
As others have stated, it will be illegal in the EU if that were to happen. However, it would probably cause issues with phone makers as well since they probably wouldn't be able to properly fork Android and slap their skins on top like ColorOS or Samsung's skin.
I think this is Google's long-term plan.
There will always be a fork of AOSP even if google ditches it the community will keep it up.
For "official" Android products, maybe eventually.
In fact I can see a future where all computing/devices are locked down and become appliances, much like your tv or fridge.
You use them how you're "meant to". Sideloading? Programming? Tweaking? Why do you need to do that, are you a terrorist?
I hope we don't get to that world, but for a while now I've been thinking it looks like a possible outcome.