Sideloading has always been seen as one of the best perks of the Android operating system for many users. Not only does it let users sidestep Google's more restrictive Play Store, but it also gives ...

Jake Peterson is Lifehacker’s Tech Editor, and has been covering tech news and how-tos for nearly a decade. His team covers all things technology, including AI, smartphones, computers, game consoles, ...

Apple has an aggressive stance against sideloading, despite pressure from some developers and users. The company has ...

Google has announced that starting next year, all Android apps—including sideloaded ones—will require developer verification. The move could make sideloading trickier but is aimed at reducing fake ...

Android’s open nature set it apart from the iPhone as the era of touchscreen smartphones began nearly two decades ago. Little by little, Google has traded some of that openness for security, and its ...

The takeaway: App sideloading has been a contentious issue since the dawn of mobile computing. Google is now taking a hardline approach, citing alleged security concerns, but a major app platform is ...

One feature that makes Android so special is the freedom to sideload APK (Android Package Kit) files, letting you install compatible apps outside the Play Store. The good news is that sideloading ...

Google has announced that it will block the sideloading of unverified Android apps found outside the Play Store starting next year if their developers fail to comply with the company's upcoming new ...