For the uninitiated, sideloading means installing apps from third-party sources instead of Google’s official app marketplace. There are reasons why users go this route: maybe an app.
A hot potato: Apple’s infamous “walled garden” approach is often cited as an example of limiting consumer freedom, but it seems the Android ecosystem is erecting restrictive fences as well. The most recent development in this direction is Google supercharging its Play Integrity API to give developers more power to block apps installed outside the Play Store.
For the uninitiated, sideloading means installing apps from third-party sources instead of Google’s official app marketplace. There are reasons why users go this route: maybe an app isn’t available on the Play Store in their country, or they want an ad-free modded version. App makers have criticized this practice since it allows piracy.
Additionally, sideloaded apps don’t contribute to Play Store metrics like download counts and ratings.
