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0 pointsgruez6y ago0 comments

>The objection I have is that Google doesn't let you delegate that authority, it's either "Let Google Manage It" or "Let everyone do whatever the hell they want".

What do you mean? After android 7 or 8, the "install unknown apps" permission was per-app rather than being a global setting[1]. That means you can allow f-droid to install apps but not your weather app. The only difference is that third party apps can't install apps "silently" (you have to manually confirm each install/update through a system dialog).

[1] random image result: https://media.kasperskydaily.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/92...

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9 comments · 3 top-level

cptskippy6y ago· 4 in thread

> After android 7 or 8

That's at most 30% of devices?

GeneralTspoon6y ago

7+ is over 50% of devices: https://developer.android.com/about/dashboards

And will eventually be all/most devices.

cptskippy6y ago

Yes, but we're not talking 7+, we're talking >7 which is very different.

I am on 7.1.1 and Allow Unknown Sources is still a global on/off toggle.

gruezOP6y ago

https://developer.android.com/about/dashboards

38.7% (8+ only) or 57.9% (if you include 7)

cptskippy6y ago

He said after 7 or 8. That excludes 7 and possibly 8.

I have a 7.1.1 device and can confirm they have the global toggle still.

bubblethink6y ago· 2 in thread

That is better, but not ideal. You don't have a way to trust developer keys independently. What's the point of trusting Chrome if everything can be installed through Chrome?

cptskippy6y ago

I could see that being valuable if it's a Store like Steam or Amazon. It's not any worse than Google Play right?

bubblethink6y ago

Yes, trusting a store like fdroid is the ideal case. However, most uninformed users would come across an apk file on their browser, trust Chrome, and then Chrome will happily install anything.

2 more replies

Youden6y ago

> The only difference is that third party apps can't install apps "silently" (you have to manually confirm each install/update through a system dialog).

That's a huge difference. Try downloading and maintaining apps installed with F-Droid on a device where it doesn't have system privileges. It's a massive pain in the butt.

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