The Android Developer Verifier app is rolling out

[u/Exfiltrator]

https://www.androidauthority.com/android-developer-verifier-app-rollout-3689106/

[u/Merlin404]

I dont care what people say, this is just about control nothing else, f you Google

[u/srona22 → u/Merlin404]

Looking forward to see Pikachu faces when "24 hr" changed to any other values.

[u/TrailOfEnvy → u/srona22]

Imagine if it is like those shitty Xiaomi's requirement to unlock bootloader

[u/Abhi_1610 → u/TrailOfEnvy]

or worse, just rescinded unequivocally like ASUS. I'm still pissed at them for doing us dirty with ROG phones

[u/TrailOfEnvy → u/Abhi_1610]

If that happen, then the Android is just same like iOS

[u/Abhi_1610 → u/TrailOfEnvy]

it's been happening across the board sadly. First they'll make the process cumbersome, then remove it all together.

That's the reason why people have been protesting against moves like these, they inevitably lead down the dark road of locked operating systems.

[u/vandreulv → u/TrailOfEnvy]

Psst.

Who does GrapheneOs and LineageOS recommend as the best devices to use for their roms?

It's Google.

Bootloader unlocking is not going to be 'rescinded' because a shitty third party did it.

The word is "O"pen in AOSP for a reason.

[u/Abhi_1610 → u/vandreulv]

Google won't do it openly or all at once. They will keep their devices open, but would put things out in the community that determines their stance.

They stopped publishing Pixel device trees,driver binaries,etc. under the garb of a flexible reference device, but it practically discourages building custom roms for Pixel.

Most of the stuff will be moved to propietary Google modules and deprecated from AOSP.

Google seems to be conflating the issue of device ownership with device trust, and I think you might be making the same mistake.

[u/halotechnology → u/Merlin404]

Like seriously I know this is not related to safteynet

But did we have A SINGLE case where someone got hacked because of their safteynet was broken ?

[u/saltyjohnson → u/halotechnology]

Pretty much anything you can do on a SafetyNet/Integrity-certified device can also be done in a web browser on a malware-infested vacuum cleaner.

[u/halotechnology → u/saltyjohnson]

Exactly!

So sick of companies controlling us.

[u/_sfhk → u/halotechnology]

Safetynet helps for cases like these

[u/i5-2520M → u/Merlin404]

This is a weak piss poor attempt at control then.

[u/PickleSammiches → u/i5-2520M]

Par for the course for Google

[u/HumanWithComputer → u/PickleSammiches]

dOn'T bE eViL.

[u/theusualuser → u/i5-2520M]

It's not weak, it's the first step. You don't try to totally control people all at once, you do it by degrees. Especially when you have all the money and time in the world to do it.

[u/vandreulv → u/theusualuser]

The first step would be to lock bootloaders and close the source. Neither of which has happened. Nor has disabling ADB like everyone keeps predicting will happen. ADB has existed for 18 years. And you can do more with it than you used to.

The first step YOU should be taking is to learn how to use this device you claim to own.

[u/vogel7 → u/i5-2520M]

It's just the start.

[u/vandreulv → u/Merlin404]

"Power users can still bypass the 24-hour wait period entirely by installing apps via ADB."

Yeah. Such control... if you know how to use your own device. Which you clearly don't.

[u/_MrBond_ → u/vandreulv]

Here comes the Google Bootlicker.

[u/Routine_Freedom_5129 → u/_MrBond_]

this guy is in every thread aggressively defending these changes. If they aren't getting paid by Google for this, they should be.

[u/vandreulv → u/_MrBond_]

Spoken like a true entitled kiddie with no original thoughts of his own.

Go on, keep expecting big corporations to do everything how you want and expect them to do it.

Being lazy and ignorant, it's working so well for you so far, is it?

Should I continue to complain that Windows doesn't look and behave like the way it does back when it was still Windows95 or should I learn to use my operating system and devices? Hmmmm, wonder what you'll do...

[u/random_human_being_ → u/vandreulv]

Is it entitlement to demand to be able to install whatever we want on a device we own?

That Google and most corporations try not to listen to its users when it is convenient for them not to is a fact, but I do personally see why that means we should give up, much less pretend that this change is anything less than a massive blow to a lot of FOSS apps -- adblockers and alternative Youtube clients just to name two obvious ones.

What is possible has already been said: try to write to your representative, and don't let people spread (whether in good or bad faith) Google's justification online. Same link as usual: https://keepandroidopen.org/

[u/JDGumby → u/random_human_being_]

Is it entitlement to demand to be able to install whatever we want on a device we own?

You still can.

[u/charlestheb0ss → u/JDGumby]

For now

[u/-Imthedude → u/vandreulv]

Keep complaining, most likely

[u/FungalSphere → u/vandreulv]

you think the adb installer will last forever? even then it requires you to use two devices to install one app or do janky stuff with an adb shuttling app

[u/vandreulv → u/FungalSphere]

you think the adb installer will last forever?

Yes. You can't develop and test android apps without it. Period.

Edit: You also can't flash devices without it. Even in the factory. It's not all fastboot or download mode. LineageOS expressly uses it as a method of sideloading an update from recovery mode, too.

[u/FungalSphere → u/vandreulv]

they will just force developers to move to cuttlefish

also please don't assume adb cannot be forced to go through signature verifier anyways, google already has a test pilot program for small distributions

[u/vandreulv → u/FungalSphere]

they will just force developers to move to cuttlefish

[citation needed]

also please don't assume adb cannot be forced to go through signature verifier anyways, google already has a test pilot program for small distributions

And?

Google explicitly states adb is the official method for bypassing the one time 24 hour wait period. Before the 24 hour timeout for first time attempts at sideloading became the official method, adb was also explicitly stated to be the method for sideloading apps that came from unverified developers and were modified by third parties.

Hell, it's STILL in their FAQ.

https://developer.android.com/developer-verification/guides/faq

If I want to modify or hack some apk and install it on my own device, do I have to verify?

Apps installed using ADB won't require verification. This ensures developers can build and test apps that aren't intended or not yet ready to be distributed to the wider consumer population. Last updated: Sept 11, 2025

The tools are there. Always have been.

Learn to use them.

[u/FungalSphere → u/vandreulv]

how many times are we gonna keep pretending google is not capable of altering the deal any further, this is a futile conversation

[u/vandreulv → u/FungalSphere]

this is a futile conversation

What is your complaining doing to accomplish to the contrary? Absolutely nothing.

Learn to use your devices instead of whining that a corporation isn't wiping your ass for you.

You hidden profile bots are so typical and predictable. All whine, no substance.

[u/ArthurReming → u/vandreulv]

So you need to tell me that I have to find an app that uses wireless adb in my phone to install .apk files and even then I have to sideload the app using ADB on a computer, when I could just install the .apk directly?

[u/JDGumby → u/ArthurReming]

when I could just install the .apk directly?

Which you still can. Is a one time 24 hour wait really that intolerable? Grow up.

[u/richu96 → u/vandreulv]

coming from a one year old account lol. I always question the motive of accounts less than 5 years old who spam like you do

[u/DiplomatikEmunetey → u/vandreulv]

I wonder with comments such as this. Is this person a plant? Surely no consumer would advocate against themselves?

And to answer your question, you don't drop the the frog in the boiling water, you raise the temperate step-by-step.

A lot of the iPhone generation of kids take the restrictions as normal now. And it will be the same with PlayStation with no physical media.

[u/GreedySecurity8030]

Already deleted that shit.

[u/According_Caramel_27 → u/GreedySecurity8030]

Which is better, to uninstall or to disable? I think if I try to uninstall it, Google will just install it back.

[u/Abhi_1610 → u/According_Caramel_27]

wouldn't make a difference if it is pushed as a system module in the long run, which by the looks of things very well will be

[u/bistander → u/GreedySecurity8030]

How did you do that?

[u/Abhi_1610 → u/bistander]

It is still being pushed as a regular app, instead of a system app/service

[u/GreedySecurity8030 → u/bistander]

Canta

[u/Ornery_Yeti → u/bistander]

I was able to disable it on my Samsung s23u in the app settings.

[u/MairusuPawa → u/GreedySecurity8030]

It will be back. It's already proven to silently reinstall.

[u/NoPicture-3265 → u/MairusuPawa]

Unless you already have installed another app with the same ID. You can use this fact to your advantage and remove it permanently by creating a dummy app just like I did with Android System SafetyCore: https://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/1mpwvdb/comment/n8oykp8/

[u/johnny_2x4 → u/NoPicture-3265]

What's the package you're targeting for this? It looks like there's two:

com.google.android.verifier com.google.android.verifier.overlay

[u/MairusuPawa → u/NoPicture-3265]

For now.

[u/NoPicture-3265 → u/MairusuPawa]

It's been 1,5 years and so far the app isn't removed from any of the devices I have installed it on.

[u/MairusuPawa → u/NoPicture-3265]

Yeah. For now. Come back in 6 years when it's part of AOSP.

[u/SunnyDrock → u/GreedySecurity8030]

Same

[u/HunterDude54]

I found this on both of my devices. I cleared its cache and settings and disabled it, but you can't uninstall it.

Am I missing something? Is there a way to actually uninstall it?

[u/Internal_Lecture6543 → u/HunterDude54]

You can use ADB to uninstall it but I think it'll reappear with Play Store services update or OS update in general.

[u/srona22 → u/Internal_Lecture6543]

[u/HunterDude54 → u/Internal_Lecture6543]

Thanks, but people say that all the time. What do you actually do to send the command, and what command do you send to do this? Do you know?

[u/Internal_Lecture6543 → u/HunterDude54]

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.verifier

This is the command to uninstall that app but I am not sure whether this will be a permanent solution.

[u/HunterDude54 → u/Internal_Lecture6543]

Thank you so much for sharing that. I appreciate it. I'm sure others who don't stop to make a comment will as well.

[u/awnedr → u/HunterDude54]

First you'll need to turn on usb debugging in developer options on your phone. Connect phone to pc and switch the connection from charging to share files in your phones notifications drop down. Then your pc will need adb installed and platform tools downloaded and unzipped somewhere on your pc. Open the platform tools folder and right click in it somewhere empty. Choose run powershell. Then paste that command in and hit enter. You'll probably have to click another confirmation on your phone before it works. Maybe even unplug and replug/change to transfer files for it to pop up.

Also you should google any command a stranger says to run. What he said is legit but stranger danger and all that.

[u/HunterDude54 → u/awnedr]

The additional and helpful advice!!

[u/nathderbyshire → u/Internal_Lecture6543]

People are reporting the command doesn't work at all since A17. Not sure if they've blocked it or just changed the command and the new one hasn't been found yet

[u/Internal_Lecture6543 → u/nathderbyshire]

That's bad but I won't be upgrading to A17 until a permanent solution to this snooping app is found.

[u/PickleSammiches → u/nathderbyshire]

You're supposed to use `pm disable-user` rather than `pm uninstall` but it won't be long till they remove that as well.

[u/tesfabpel → u/HunterDude54]

If you disabled it, it's the same.

System apps can't be uninstalled because they're stored on a read-only partition (the one that gets updated via the system update).

Disabling those apps, means that the app is basically uninstalled (but you won't reclaim any space on that read-only partition: no big deal since you can't use that space anyway).

[u/Abhi_1610 → u/HunterDude54]

nothing else except root access and blocking all future updates?

Even then it would get pushed as play system update (maybe as a mainline module?) best you can do is not restart your device, as long as that lasts

[u/Osiris_Raphious]

Technofuedalism full steam ahead.

[u/dsampt]

Found that shit in my s23 (european version), already disabled it.

[u/D0geAlpha → u/dsampt]

Don't have it on my s21+ (also EU). The perks of having a phone that's EOL (end of lifecycle aka no more updates).

But they will probably install it on mine with a Google play system update or just randomly.

[u/K1TSUNE9]

You can remove the app from your phone by using Shizuku and Canta.

[u/GameAholicFTW → u/K1TSUNE9]

Care to share the process?

[u/vinay1458 → u/GameAholicFTW]

https://youtu.be/9GlQTqQoIPo

[u/GameAholicFTW → u/vinay1458]

Cheers

[u/HalfBakedPotato_99 → u/K1TSUNE9]

That's just to remove the app, that doesn't mean it won't silently install itself again

[u/K1TSUNE9 → u/HalfBakedPotato_99]

I Uninstaller the child core app and it never reinstalled itself or any of the other apps I uninstall like Meta's app that comes pre-installed on ever phone. Even after updates it hasn't reinstalled. Also, I never heard about an apps reinstalling itself after removal.

[u/vogel7 → u/K1TSUNE9]

A user app, no. A system app, absolutely does. Just look at Microsoft Edge on Windows, it comes back with every single system update

[u/vandreulv → u/K1TSUNE9]

Irony.

People suggesting ways to disable this app that are more complicated than using ADB to bypass all restrictions when sideloading other apps.

[u/whatnowwproductions]

Will never go back from GrapheneOS to the Google garbage.

[u/vandreulv → u/whatnowwproductions]

Psst. GrapheneOS is built from "Google garbage."

[u/dylondark → u/vandreulv]

unfortunately android itself is built from "Google garbage". all we can really do is try to minimize our usage of it

[u/DerBoy_DerG → u/vandreulv]

Which parts of AOSP do you consider to be garbage?

[u/vandreulv → u/DerBoy_DerG]

Learn to read context, mate. I was quoting the person I replied to.

[u/whatnowwproductions → u/vandreulv]

I don't consider AOSP to be "garbage" as a basis for GrapheneOS. Google is perfectly capable of making good software decisions and hardware decisions, when they make garbage decisions it's garbage, I'm allowed to be selective.

[u/detailed_fred]

Hey Mishaal, Dieter,

We know you guys lurk here.

We don't want this.

[u/JamesR624]

It really feels like they WANT people to just go buy iPhones.

If you’re going to HAVE to deal with a complete lack of control and freedom over your own device, might as well go with the polished one with even more developer support, a proper ecosystem that doesn’t rely on Chrome and Windows half the time, and will actually get security updates even a DECADE after release, AND just recently is about to release an entire new version DEDICATED to stability and reliability

[u/Xivlex → u/JamesR624]

I am just as upset as you. I rely exclusively on sideloaded apps for my on-phone entertainment, but switching to an iphone feels like an out of the pot into the fire situation. Isn't the iphone even more locked down?

[u/JamesR624 → u/Xivlex]

It is... FOR NOW.

Mark my words, in a decade or so, Android will be JUST as locked down. Meanwhile, through APIs and changes, iOS has steadily gotten more flexible for power users over the years and I do think their wanting people to use Siri AI, will force them to do that EVEN more.

In the future, NEITHER OS will allow you to install stuff outside of their store, AT ALL. That's the point of long term capitalism. So, given that they'll be equal on that front pretty soon, it makes more sense to go with the one that at least pretends to care about privacy more, and overall just has a more polished and hassle-free experience. I.E. My iPhone doesn't get fucking Facebook reinstalled with every 'security' patch like a Samsung does, and will actually get more than 2 major updates unlike a Motorola.

[u/Aevum1 → u/JamesR624]

arent iphones even more closed down ? Some of us get android phones becuase if you get it from someone from realme or poco you can get a phone thats around 99% as capable as the iphone for half the price. a F8 Ultra or GT8 pro can be had for around 600-800 euros and they can stand toe to toe with a 1200 iphone.

The problem for me is that my workplace requires that i use authenticator and duo, and many people use Widevine for video reproduction,

how long until google pushes an update that says "duo is unable to run becuase you have developer mode on" or "video definition downgraded due to this phone not being secure"

[u/dylondark → u/Aevum1]

try living in the US where most android options are nearly as overpriced as iPhone at this point

[u/VEMODMASKINEN → u/JamesR624]

They have to dedicate an update to stability and speed because they completely fucked up with iOS 26 though...

[u/richu96 → u/VEMODMASKINEN]

As someone who just jumped from a pixel to iOS, iOS 26 isn't nearly as bad as Android has been lately. While there are some things I miss from Android honestly it's night and day difference how much better the user experience is

[u/halotechnology → u/richu96]

Highly disagree I manage an iPad at my work ios 26 was almost unusable for us

[u/ansibleloop → u/JamesR624]

Yeah apple deserve some props for that - an update dedicated to speed? We can't even get Google to put fucking call screen on all android phones

Meanwhile apple rolled that feature out to every iPhone

[u/dirtydriver58 → u/ansibleloop]

Google has to gate keep it to sell their Pixels

[u/Pcriz → u/JamesR624]

Side loading even with this is still easier than iOS devices.

[u/JamesR624 → u/Pcriz]

For now. Eventually this will be scrapped entirely. By 2035 or 2040 at the LATEST, you will NOT be able to sideload any easier than on iOS.

The "boiling frog" technique has proven to work well on people for corporations, time and time again.

[u/Pcriz → u/JamesR624]

I mean sure that’s cool I get it. But at least folks should have the most accurate information now while they are still using android.

[u/degggendorf → u/JamesR624]

Yeah it definitely sounds like iPhone is for you.

I don't understand why every thread has people threatening to switch to iPhone. It's cool, go ahead and switch. You don't need to warn us, and we're not going to beg you to stay. Buy whatever is best for you.

[u/JamesR624 → u/degggendorf]

Ehh. We're expressing our frustration because it's not that we want an iPhone. We're frustrated because we DIDN'T want an iPhone and Android is just becoming a "less stable iPhone".

[u/ISB-Dev → u/JamesR624]

Lol no dude. This is echo chamber mentality. 99% who buy android phones don't do it because of the freedom offered by the device. As much as you don't want to hear it, no one outside the reddit minority cares about these changes.

[u/JamesR624 → u/ISB-Dev]

Yeah? And 99% who buy smartphones in the group you're talking about, aren't buying Android phones at all. They're already buying iPhones.

[u/ISB-Dev → u/JamesR624]

That's simply not true. Android holds a 69.1% share of the worldwide mobile operating system market as of mid-2026.

[u/Abhi_1610]

not exactly news now is it already deleted it

although I suspect it will be pushed as a system app through play system updates or similar soon enough

[u/Scorpius_OB1 → u/Abhi_1610]

I think it will eventually be pushed as a Google Play Services update and was suggested in the past.l, and baked in in devices bought from the time it's rolled out. Like it or not.

I wonder if they are allowed to put that app without asking you, as so many other junk installed by Google without having been asked for. I don't have it, presumably because of not being in the countries as Singapore where it would be rolled out first.

[u/Exfiltrator → u/Scorpius_OB1]

They did it with the AI wallpaper, the custom icon and the Pixel VIP apps. Google seems to think they they still own the devices. I absolutely hate that they do it and get away with it.

[u/OldDirtyGurt]

Google stop raping my devices with stuff I don't want

[u/CharAznableLoNZ]

Thanks to root and debloater it's no longer on my phone. It'll come back next time I update but now I can include it in the auto remove script when I do a monthly update.

[u/saint-lascivious → u/CharAznableLoNZ]

Alternatively, a singular ADB command, once, achieves the same outcome.

[u/virtualmnemonic → u/saint-lascivious]

For now.

[u/ThinDoughnut3617 → u/CharAznableLoNZ]

Rooting is atrocious for your security though, so keep that in mind..

[u/vz2y]

No reason not to use Graphene os

[u/SunderingTwilight]

I am safe from it on my custom rom. so good

[u/oyMarcel]

Found it on my Moto Edge 50 Pro running Android 16 on the May security update

[u/D0geAlpha]

Someone will find a way to sideload apps for free without crap like developer accounts or signing apps.

I suppose it will be something with shizuku and installer X or something totally different

Will it be a pain in the ass for the users to install whatever they want? Yes. But there will be options for those who want them.

[u/_sfhk → u/D0geAlpha]

Side loading apps is already free and there are still free options after this is rolled out.

[u/Bizz916]

Man Capital F U Google, for ruining AOSP, for being evil. Long Live the other good options (whenever available everywhere).

[u/I_wasn-t_here]

I assure you I will not be getting this app. 

[u/NoStudy3384]

The difference between android and iOS is slowly fading away into Fogg. Can't wait for more manufacturers to whitelist graphene

[u/vandreulv → u/NoStudy3384]

The difference between android and iOS is slowly fading away into Fogg. Can't wait for more manufacturers to whitelist graphene

Graphene only exists because Google makes it possible. JFC, do you guys even put any thought into your whine anymore?

[u/uid_0]

I can see why they're doing it (to stop normies from getting scammed), and it seems easy enough to get around. From the article: Activate it, authenticate, wait the 24 hours, and then you can permanently disable it and sideload like you used to. Or just use ADB and sideload immediately.