this post was submitted on 08 Apr 2026
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[–] NotMyOldRedditName@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

You can still install them, they announced the rules weeks ago.

  1. You need to go into the phone settings and enable developer mode (this doesn't mean YOU'RE a developer)

  2. Flip a setting to on that will allow it

  3. See some scary prompts and acknowledge no one is asking you to do this

  4. 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)

  5. Wait 24 hours.

  6. 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.

[–] LedgeDrop@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

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.

[–] NotMyOldRedditName@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

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.

[–] LedgeDrop@lemmy.zip 1 points 21 hours ago

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.

[–] BygoneNeutrino@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

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.