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Another example of arbitrary playstore rules killing a FOSS app - playstore version of termux is stuck on a 2-year-old release (0.101) and can't run on Android

Another example of arbitrary playstore rules killing a FOSS app - playstore version of termux is stuck on a 2-year-old release (0.101) and can't run on Android 10 at all. If you install from F-Droid - latest version is available (0.117) and works on Android 10, too. https://github.com/termux/termux-app/issues/1072 https://github.com/termux/termux-app/issues/1072 https://wiki.termux.com/wiki/Termux_Google_Play https://wiki.termux.com/wiki/Termux_Google_Play

kyrra 5y ago
Googler opinions are my own. I know nothing about the space. At least skimming the termux issue here is that it was done for SELinux policy changes in trying to improve security of application running on Android. Is that correct? Then the app store is trying to enforce this newer policy via forced API upgrades. As you said, you can at least still side load if you would like?
- ProtoAES256 5y ago
  Yes, but if only the system doesn't pop up the Play Protect button every few install, and words that discourage users instead of educating users about sideloading apps. Then I'll consider sideloading on par with installing from the Play store.
- oauea 5y ago
  How about just adding a permission to the already present permission system? Oh, that's right. Google and Apple don't trust their users and want full control over everyone's devices.
crowbahr 5y ago
I'm running termux on Android 11. Ran it on 10. All installed from Google play. I'm not saying there aren't issues. I'm just saying that you can install and run from gplay.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
- 0xdeadb00f 5y ago
  Pretty sure OPs point is that the play version is stuck multiple versions behind the repo. So, it works, but you're not anywhere near up-to-date.
Too 5y ago
I would not call that arbitrary play store rules. Rather the general app sandbox has had tightened security, which affects api compatibility, thus play rejects it to make sure it’s future proofed by author. In the meantime, during phase-out, sideloading works so old versions of app suddenly don’t stop working, but eventually that call will stop working. Whether apps should be allowed to download and execute code out of the apk bundle itself is of course another political topic.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
- oauea 5y ago
  Oh yikes, Google is going down the Apple path of forbidding downloaded code? That's awful. How long until third party web browsers are banned on Android as well?

kyrra 5y ago

Googler opinions are my own. I know nothing about the space. At least skimming the termux issue here is that it was done for SELinux policy changes in trying to improve security of application running on Android. Is that correct? Then the app store is trying to enforce this newer policy via forced API upgrades. As you said, you can at least still side load if you would like?

ProtoAES256 5y ago
Yes, but if only the system doesn't pop up the Play Protect button every few install, and words that discourage users instead of educating users about sideloading apps. Then I'll consider sideloading on par with installing from the Play store.
oauea 5y ago
How about just adding a permission to the already present permission system? Oh, that's right. Google and Apple don't trust their users and want full control over everyone's devices.

crowbahr 5y ago

I'm running termux on Android 11. Ran it on 10. All installed from Google play. I'm not saying there aren't issues. I'm just saying that you can install and run from gplay.

deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
0xdeadb00f 5y ago
Pretty sure OPs point is that the play version is stuck multiple versions behind the repo. So, it works, but you're not anywhere near up-to-date.

Too 5y ago

I would not call that arbitrary play store rules. Rather the general app sandbox has had tightened security, which affects api compatibility, thus play rejects it to make sure it’s future proofed by author. In the meantime, during phase-out, sideloading works so old versions of app suddenly don’t stop working, but eventually that call will stop working. Whether apps should be allowed to download and execute code out of the apk bundle itself is of course another political topic.

deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
oauea 5y ago
Oh yikes, Google is going down the Apple path of forbidding downloaded code? That's awful. How long until third party web browsers are banned on Android as well?