F-Droid, the trusted open-source app repository, is calling out Google for what it believes is a quiet attempt to shut down independent Android development. The group says new policy changes will make sideloading apps nearly impossible — and in the process, wipe out alternatives like F-Droid itself.

At a time when big tech platforms claim to support open ecosystems, F-Droid argues that Google’s actions tell a different story. And if they’re right, Android’s future could be far less open than what users have come to expect.

The Open-Source Store That Doesn’t Bend to Google

F-Droid has been around for more than a decade. It’s built on one simple idea: users should have full control over the apps they install. Every app on the store is open-source. There’s no tracking, no hidden code, and no corporate influence. That’s exactly why it’s in trouble.

Google’s new developer verification system means that even apps installed outside of the Play Store — through F-Droid, GitHub, personal websites, or anywhere else (Aptoide TV, etc.) — will need to follow Google’s terms. That includes paying fees, uploading legal documents, and agreeing to whatever policy changes come next.

F-Droid says this system threatens its entire operation and sends a clear message: if you’re not inside Google’s walled system, you’re not welcome.

“Sideloading Isn’t Going Away” — Or Is It?

Google insists that sideloading is still part of Android. But F-Droid strongly disagrees.

According to the organization, Google is playing word games. The company says users can still sideload, but developers won’t be able to share apps unless they register and submit personal info. That’s a massive shift — and one that directly undermines how sideloading has always worked.

“Google’s message that ‘Sideloading is Not Going Away’ is clear, concise, and false,” F-Droid recently said in a public statement.

Not Just an App Store — A Movement

F-Droid isn’t just another place to get apps. It represents a broader push for user control and transparency in software. It stands apart by reviewing all apps manually and removing features that go against user interest — like advertising trackers or analytics.

The store also cryptographically signs every app it distributes. That means users know exactly what they’re getting. It’s a level of trust that’s rare in mobile software today — and it’s being threatened by a rule that treats all developers the same, whether they’re corporations or volunteers.

These new rules don’t just hurt F-Droid. They hurt:

• Independent developers who build tools outside the Play Store
• Security-focused users who rely on apps that don’t track them
• Communites who use Android in places where app access is limited or censorted
• People who want real control over their own devices (including Android/Google TV)

Even if you’ve never used F-Droid, you’ve likely used apps that started out there — or benefited from features developed in its ecosystem.

A False Narrative of Safety

Google is framing the new rules as a way to protect users from harmful apps. But F-Droid points out that the Play Store itself has allowed plenty of dangerous apps over the years — including fake security tools, hidden malware, and aggressive adware.

Meanwhile, open-source platforms like F-Droid take extra steps to ensure safety. So why is the safer option being locked out?

The concern is that Google isn’t aiming to protect users. It’s aiming to control the entire Android pipeline — from developer to end user.

What You Can Do

F-Droid is urging the community to speak up while it still matters. The group supports the “Keep Android Open” initiative, which calls on Google to protect user freedom and stop forcing developers to go through a single gatekeeper.

If enough users push back, the changes could be paused — or even reversed. But if not, it may become impossible for trusted open-source stores like F-Droid to survive.

Final Thoughts

Android has always offered more flexibility than competing platforms. That flexibility is what gave rise to communities like F-Droid, and why the platform became a favorite for privacy-conscious users, tinkerers, and developers.

But if Google continues down this path, sideloading may still exist in name — while being hollowed out in practice. And when open-source options vanish, users lose more than just apps. They lose choice.

This article was originally published by TechSpot.

We want to know what you think of the new “Keep Android Open” initiative. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Be sure to stay up-to-date with the latest streaming news, reviews, tips, and more by following the  with updates weekly.