Play Integrity API: Blocking Sideloaded Apps
Initially unveiled during Google I/O 2024 in May, the Play Integrity API has now been expanded to include the ability to detect and prevent sideloaded apps from functioning. The API checks whether the app in question has been downloaded from the Google Play Store. If the app is found to be sideloaded from a third-party source, it can block the app from running and prompt the user to install the legitimate version from the Play Store. According to Google, this process ensures that “interactions and server requests are coming from genuine app binary running on a genuine Android device.” User-Friendly Prompts
The new API also includes a feature that displays a prompt when a sideloaded app is detected. Android Authority's Mishaal Rahman reported that users who try to run a sideloaded app will see a message saying, “Get this app from Google Play.” This prompt allows users to download the official version from the Play Store, which will replace the sideloaded copy. Several well-known apps have already integrated this feature. OpenAI’s ChatGPT, along with apps like Tesco and BeyBlade X, now prompt users to install the app from the Play Store if they attempt to use sideloaded versions.
CRED Leads the Way in India
In India, popular financial app CRED has already implemented the Play Integrity API. By integrating this feature, CRED ensures that users can only install and use the app through the official Google Play Store, adding an extra layer of security to protect sensitive financial data. This move underscores the growing trend among app developers to prioritize user security by limiting app downloads to trusted sources.
App Access Risk Feature
Beyond blocking sideloaded apps, the Play Integrity API includes another critical functionality: the “app access risk” feature. This feature identifies apps installed on a user’s device that may have the ability to capture the screen or control its actions. The API can then prompt users to close such apps, potentially protecting them from malicious software that could compromise sensitive information, especially while using high-security apps.
The Future of Android App Security
Google's Play Integrity API marks a significant step forward in Android app security, ensuring that apps are obtained from trusted sources while offering protection against unauthorized sideloading and potentially harmful apps.
With major apps like ChatGPT and CRED already adopting this API, it's clear that the future of Android app security is leaning towards stricter controls and enhanced protection for users. As more developers integrate the Play Integrity API into their apps, Android users can expect improved app security and a safer digital experience across the board.
