Google Enhances Play Store with Sideloading Feature

Google is introducing a significant update to the Play Store, allowing Android users to sideload apps more easily. This new feature enables users to temporarily disable Play Protect, the company’s cloud-based app verification service, for a day. This change aims to enhance user flexibility while ensuring devices remain protected from potential threats.

Google Play Protect’s New Pause Feature

The newly spotted feature, identified in the Google Play Store version 42.2.19-31, allows users to pause the “Scan apps with Play Protect” option. By selecting this choice, users can prevent Play Protect from scanning apps installed outside the Play Store for malware. This temporary suspension lasts for just one day, after which the service automatically reactivates, ensuring ongoing protection for the device.

Google emphasizes the importance of caution when users receive requests from apps to disable Play Protect, as these could potentially be scams. Play Protect serves as a crucial security layer, scanning apps and devices for harmful behavior. It conducts safety checks on apps before download, assesses potentially harmful apps from other sources, and enforces compliance with its Unwanted Software Policy. Additionally, Play Protect can deactivate or remove harmful applications, prevent the installation of unverified apps, and reset app permissions to safeguard user privacy on certain Android versions.

Recent Enhancements to the Play Store

The rollout of the pause feature in Play Protect is part of a broader initiative by Google to improve the Play Store experience. Recently, the company introduced a filter for apps with widgets, a dedicated widgets page, and enhanced visibility on app detail pages. These updates aim to assist developers in addressing discoverability and user understanding, two common challenges faced when investing in widget development. By implementing these features, Google is not only enhancing the user experience but also supporting developers in navigating the complexities of app visibility and functionality. The focus on user safety and app discoverability reflects Google’s commitment to maintaining a secure and user-friendly environment within the Play Store.

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