installations Archives

AppWizard

October 2, 2026

Google clarifies Android sideloading crackdown ahead of wider rollout

Google's recent clarification on the Android Developer Verifier indicates that enforcement will initially target certified Android devices and specific app distribution channels, rather than imposing restrictions on all devices. Only certified devices designed to run Google's applications will be affected, while devices with custom ROMs or uncertified versions will not be included in the current measures. App marketplaces like Samsung’s Galaxy Store and Xiaomi’s GetApps will ensure developers verify their applications, but users can still install unverified apps, albeit with a potential 24-hour waiting period for installation. This waiting period is device-level, allowing multiple unverified apps to be installed without repeating the delay for each one. Developers can bypass this waiting period using Android Debug Bridge (ADB). The initial enforcement began on September 30 in four countries, with a global expansion planned for 2027. The changes primarily impact users who download apps from outside recognized stores, while those using Google Play or participating stores may experience minimal changes.

AppWizard

October 2, 2026

Android’s new sideloading rules are here

Google has begun rolling out new Android developer verification rules starting September 30, affecting users in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. Certified Android devices running Android 7 or later will require apps from participating stores to come from verified developers. Approved platforms include Google Play, Samsung’s Galaxy Store, HONOR App Market, OPPO App Market, Xiaomi GetApps, vivo V-Appstore, and Transsion’s Palm Store. While sideloading apps from unverified developers is still possible, the process has become more complicated. Users must enable a setting through Developer Options, authenticate their identity, restart their device, and wait 24 hours before installing such apps. Once activated, users can allow installations from unverified developers for seven days or indefinitely. ADB installations are exempt from the waiting period. No immediate changes are occurring for users in the United States, and the global rollout of these requirements is planned for 2027.

AppWizard

October 2, 2026

HP’s Googlebook 14 Looks Like an Android User’s Dream, But Check the Price

HP has introduced the Googlebook 14, a premium laptop designed to integrate seamlessly with Android phones, featuring phone-file access, app streaming, and a 2.8K OLED touchscreen powered by Snapdragon X Elite hardware. The laptop starts at ,199.99, with Google listing it at ,299 for a configuration with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. It supports Android 17 or newer phones, allowing users to access phone files and applications directly from the laptop. The Googlebook 14 has a slim profile, vapor-chamber cooling, a 5MP infrared camera, and supports up to two UHD external displays. Battery life is claimed to be up to 19 hours, but testing methods vary. The laptop includes AI features like Magic Pointer and Rambler, but some features are limited by region and age. Eligible buyers receive 12 months of Google AI Pro with 5TB of cloud storage, available in select countries.

AppWizard

October 1, 2026

Top 5 Proxy vs VPN for Android App Developers Tools to Secure Test Builds

In Android app development, maintaining connectivity, security, and debugging capabilities is crucial. When connecting to a London edge server, all requests must be visible to QA teams, but using a consumer VPN can hinder debugging proxies. A debugging proxy allows developers to inspect request headers and modify data by terminating TLS on their workstation. In contrast, a VPN creates an encrypted tunnel for all device traffic but prevents debugging proxies from intercepting packets. TorGuard is a hybrid solution that combines a VPN with SOCKS5 and V2Ray endpoints, allowing for traffic encryption and application-specific proxying. mitmproxy is an open-source tool that enables scripted request manipulation and can intercept various traffic types. Tailscale uses a WireGuard-based mesh network to provide stable private IPs for devices without needing port forwarding. HTTP Toolkit offers a rootless interception method for Android, directing traffic to a laptop without complex configurations. WireGuard is a high-speed self-hosted VPN that encrypts packets but does not allow for inspection. To inspect traffic while changing geographic egress, developers can run mitmproxy on a laptop and connect it to a VPN, ensuring the proxy is closest to the app. For debugging Android HTTPS traffic, a proxy is preferred for reading or rewriting requests, while a VPN is better for changing exit IPs or encrypted routing. SOCKS5 masks IP addresses but does not encrypt traffic.

AppWizard

October 1, 2026

Google’s new Android sideloading rules are live — and here are all the ways to already bypass them

Google has implemented new developer verification rules for Android sideloading, affecting users in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. Apps from unverified developers are automatically blocked on certified Android devices with Google Play Services. This change is part of a global rollout expected in 2027. Users can still install apps from recognized app stores like Google Play Store, HONOR App Market, and others, but third-party developers not registered with Google’s Android Developer Verification Program face restrictions. To circumvent these restrictions, users can: 1. Rely on established app stores. 2. Use Google’s Advanced Flow, which involves enabling Developer Options, confirming choices, and waiting a mandatory 24-hour period before installation. 3. Utilize ADB for installation without waiting periods. 4. Use Shizuku for on-device wireless debugging. 5. Root their devices to bypass restrictions entirely. Apps installed before the new rules will remain functional but cannot be updated without following the new procedures. Developer Options do not need to remain enabled after completing the Advanced Flow. If the process is not completed after the waiting period, users must restart it. Uninstalling the Android Developer Verifier app while using Shizuku may not affect the waiting period. Users in regions not yet impacted by these changes do not need to take immediate action.

Winsage

September 30, 2026

Windows 11 setup now prompts you to install TikTok and Netflix apps during first boot

Microsoft has introduced a new feature called Assisted Setup in Windows 11, which allows users to install popular third-party applications like TikTok, WhatsApp, and Spotify immediately after the out-of-box experience (OOBE). This feature is gradually rolling out with build 26340.9354, released on September 8. Users can opt for automatic downloads and installations of these applications, but they must explicitly consent to download them, unlike pre-installed apps like OneDrive and Phone Link. The setup process also allows users to pin popular websites to the taskbar, with recommendations based on geographical location. Windows 11 26H2 has been officially released.

AppWizard

September 29, 2026

Could Google kick out Russian apps from Android for good? A new developer verification system may be the first step towards a total ban for Moscow developers, almost 56 months since the start of the Ukraine war

The Russian Ministry of Digital Development has expressed concerns about Google's Android developer verification process starting in September 2026, which may hinder the accessibility of Russian applications on Android devices. Minister Maksut Shadaev noted that the verification checks could restrict users from freely installing mobile applications, posing challenges for developers already affected by removals from online marketplaces. Users may face a waiting period of up to 24 hours for certain installations. The potential exclusion of Russian applications from Android devices raises concerns about the future viability of local developers.

Winsage

September 28, 2026

Windows 11 26H2 releases any day now, and here’s who gets it and when

Windows 11 26H2 is expected to begin public rollout around the week of September 28 or early October. Microsoft has released evaluation ISOs for enterprise users to assess compatibility before broader deployment. The release of these ISOs indicates that the public rollout is imminent. Windows 11 26H2 is built on the same platform as versions 24H2 and 25H2, which allows for a smoother upgrade experience. Support for Windows 11 25H2 ends on October 12, 2027, and for 24H2 even sooner, prompting the introduction of 26H2 to provide users with a new support window. Windows 11 26H2 will be available as an optional feature update and will take about five minutes to install for users with up-to-date systems running 24H2 or 25H2. Eligibility for the update includes any PC currently running Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2. The rollout is expected to occur on a Tuesday, with potential dates of September 29 or October 6. Not all eligible PCs will receive the update simultaneously, and users can manually check for updates or download ISOs as needed.

AppWizard

September 27, 2026

F-Droid 2.0 Released After 10 years With Major Redesign to Transform Open-Source Android App Discovery

F-Droid has released version 2.0 of its official Android app, marking the most substantial update in a decade after over a year of development and 14 test builds. The app has been reconstructed using Kotlin and Jetpack Compose, aligning it with Android’s Material Design principles and improving maintenance and feature expansion. Navigation is simplified into three sections: Discover, Search, and My Apps. The Discover section showcases new apps, updates, and popular downloads, while categories have been refined for easier access to specific software types. The search functionality has been enhanced to allow users to filter by application names, descriptions, categories, and languages. F-Droid 2.0 now automatically checks for and installs updates, with manual controls still available. Recent changes in the Android platform enable smoother installation experiences for alternative app stores. Privacy features have been updated, but the F-Droid Privileged Extension is not supported in this version, and the app-wiping capability has not returned.

Winsage

September 25, 2026

Microsoft plans to deprecate Windows Deployment Services

Microsoft has announced that Windows Deployment Services (WDS) will be deprecated in the upcoming Windows Server release, marking a significant change for IT administrators who have used WDS for remote Windows installations. Active development of WDS will cease after the next Windows Server version, and the service will eventually be retired. This follows previous deprecations, including the removal of boot.wim support in 2021 and the disabling of hands-free deployment in January 2026 for certain updates. WDS will continue to operate on currently supported Windows Server versions, but standard desktop operating systems are no longer supported through its native setup engine since Windows 11. The deprecation includes the entire WDS ecosystem, but Microsoft Configuration Manager's deployment capabilities will remain unaffected. Users are encouraged to plan their migration away from WDS dependencies.