885
YouTube's ad problem just got worse: Users now seeing 90-second unskippable ads!
(www.androidauthority.com)
this post was submitted on 08 Apr 2026
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Like others, desktop I'm using Firefox with ublock origin. Android phone, Firefox with ublock origin. Android TV, SmartTube. Ad blockers have always outpaced Google in my experience though I use youtube maybe like twice a week and I don't randomly browse reccomendations. Just there for specific stuff
Enjoy it while it lasts. With Google forcing developers to register their Android apps (or they're not allowed to be installed, unless you're a developer), it puts pressure on applications like Firefox (or ublock origin) to tow-the-line.
This won't happen tomorrow or next year, but the writing is on the wall, unless people push back or the government begins to push back on Big Tech.
The removal of device owner rights has always been a slow boil.
edit: fixed typo
You can still install them, they announced the rules weeks ago.
You need to go into the phone settings and enable developer mode (this doesn't mean YOU'RE a developer)
Flip a setting to on that will allow it
See some scary prompts and acknowledge no one is asking you to do this
Reboot the phone (its intended to cut off communication with who might be scamming you). (edit: I think this reboot step specifically is a clever idea)
Wait 24 hours.
Install the app
From there you can keep the phone in the 'unlocked' state, or allow it to relock after 7 days.
I'm not saying this is good, but it IS still possible.
I understand and agree with your sentiment, but try explaining how ”developer mode" does not make you a developer to my Grandma.
It's the same b.s. optics that invented "sideloading" as some technically shady practice, when it has always been: just installing the stupid app.
Maybe your grandma who doesn't understand that, shouldn't be installing unverified apps without someone like yours guidance? That's not a hard concept if they're going as far as installing something else not from a store.
You'd still need "developer mode" to install f-droid or epic games apk.
People shouldn't be scared or intimidated out of installing non-google store fronts.
...but yes, Grandma should avoid random apks pulled from the internet.
Also, somehow preventing adblock would trigger the creation of a corporate competing product. This is a bigger threat to Google than people stealing their bandwidth.
I'm hoping by the time googles Android goes to shit, GrapheneOS is readily available on more phones or PostmarketOS. Same with Linux with KDE Plasma Bigscreen running on a minipc rather than using an android TV box