Google has rolled out an API for Android developers. This allows them to have more control over how they download their apps according to a report. The API – known as “Play Integrity” – is carrying a new functionality. This forces users to only download the app through the Google Play Store, effectively blocking sideloading. It checks for the app’s status and if the app finds it to be “unlicensed”, the API can block it from running on the Android device.
Android Play Integrity API
Android’s Play introduced the Integrity API at Google I/O 2024 in May and it has recently received this new ability. The API checks for “interactions and server requests coming from genuine app binary running on a genuine Android device”, according to Google.
Android Authority’s Mishaal Rahman highlighted that the API’s new feature allows developers to overlay a new dialogue box. This says, “Get this app from Google Play”, if one has sideloaded the app from a third-party source on the Android device. Users can choose to install the app again from the Google Play Store. One can do this by selecting the Install from Play option.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), tipster AssembleDebug revealed that one of the most prominent apps that have recently started enabling this feature is ChatGPT- OpenAI’s conversational chatbot powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Other such apps include Tesco and BeyBlade X.
App Access Risk Feature
The Play Integrity API is having another new functionality. This functionality is known as “app access risk”. This feature can verify whether a user has installed apps that could capture the contents of the device’s screen or control its actions. It can then prompt them to close the application.
For more information please keep reading techinnews
