Since Android Oreo, Google seeks to complicate the installation of APK files from a third party for security reasons. To install an APK file on Android, you must authorize the installation of unknown sources by going to the settings of your smartphone. Then, during the installation, you must authorize the application where the APK comes from.
Android 10 Q: the installation of an APK becomes more complicated but it is for your good
As reported by our colleagues 9to5Google, the process is almost the same in the beta 2 of Android 10 Q. You must always allow the source (Google Drive, Chrome, etc ...) when downloading an APK. However, your smartphone will no longer automatically allow APK installations from the same source. The permission given stops after each APK installed.
In the future, you will need to authorize the source for each installation. This new constraint should not annoy users who rarely install APKs. It will be recalled that most Android users are indeed content applications offered on the Google Play Store. On the other hand, experienced users, who install tons of APKs every week to keep their applications up-to-date, may quickly curse this new option.
"Your smartphone and your personal data are more vulnerable to attacks from unknown applications," says Google in a warning displayed during an installation of an APK on Android. In this way, the Mountain View firm hopes to curb the spread of malware via the installation of a malicious APK.
In recent months, the installation of APK became popular with the release of Fortnite on Android. Epic Games, the developer of the game, decided to skip the Play Store. The game is only offered via an APK on its site. "The problem with Fortnite is that it's very attractive and people think it's completely normal to download it outside of the Play Store," said Craig Williams, security researcher for Cisco Talos Intelligence Group. For Google, Fortnite is a vector of security problem on Android. Reason enough to further frame the installation of APK? What do you think of this change? Share your opinion in the comments.
