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Is it possible to allow sideloading and keep users safe?

(shkspr.mobi)
205 points ColinWright | 1 comments | 30 Aug 25 12:03 UTC | HN request time: 0.2s | source
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diebeforei485 ◴[31 Aug 25 06:50 UTC] No.45080952[source]▶
I think sideloading should be allowed only if you actually connect your phone to a computer. This barrier will prevent a lot of vulnerable people from being scammed.

Alternatively, sideloading could require you to delete all App Store apps. In other words, disabling Google Play Protect should require you to wipe your phone. This is another barrier that will prevent a lot of people from getting scammed.

replies(3): >>45081088 #>>45081114 #>>45083012 #
1. miki123211 ◴[31 Aug 25 07:23 UTC] No.45081114[source]▶
Alternatively, require the user to decide whether they want sideloading or not at device setup time, with no ability to change this decision without wiping and starting from scratch.

It wouldn't solve the "getting infected via cracked apps" problem, but it would at least solve the "users being scammed into sideloading something they don't want" problem.