Club Benefits
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
Daily (Mon-Sun)
Tom's Guide Daily
Sign up to get the latest updates on all of your favorite content! From cutting-edge tech news and the hottest streaming buzz to unbeatable deals on the best products and in-depth reviews, we’ve got you covered.
Weekly on Thursday
Tom's AI Guide
Be AI savvy with your weekly newsletter summing up all the biggest AI news you need to know. Plus, analysis from our AI editor and tips on how to use the latest AI tools!
Weekly on Friday
Tom's iGuide
Unlock the vast world of Apple news straight to your inbox. With coverage on everything from exciting product launches to essential software updates, this is your go-to source for the latest updates on all the best Apple content.
Weekly on Monday
Tom's Streaming Guide
Our weekly newsletter is expertly crafted to immerse you in the world of streaming. Stay updated on the latest releases and our top recommendations across your favorite streaming platforms.
Join the club
Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.
We've been hearing a lot about Android 15 recently, and Google has confirmed that there’s an emphasis on privacy and security in this version of the mobile operating system. Part of that may include extra security features when side loading and installing apps from places other than the Google Play Store.
According to Mishaal Rahman at Android Authority, Android now contains code hinting at something called “Enhanced Confirmation Mode”. While the feature itself isn’t included in the Android 15 beta just yet, it seems it's designed to improve security surrounding app installation settings and expand upon Android 13’s Restricted Settings feature.
Specifically it’s designed to prevent misuse of a session-based installation API, which exploits the system Android uses to determine whether an app came from Google Play or not.
It does this by checking an allowlist in the system settings, checking for an XML file that’s loaded into the factory image. Without this the app won’t be able to bypass these security restrictions and access services like Accessibility or Notification Listener. Any attempts to try will see a specific ECM dialog explaining that these permissions are not available.
However it’s unclear whether there will be an option to exempt certain apps with ECM, as is the case with Restricted Settings. It’s also unclear if well known third party app stores, like Amazon’s, will be exempt from these restrictions.
The ability to sideload on Android is a fantastic one, though it does come with plenty of risks. So it’s great to see that Google is doing what it can to keep your sensitive data safe, without restricting how and when you can install apps from unofficial sources.
The Android 15 beta is currently available to install to people with eligible devices, and we’ll be hearing more about the software at Google I/O 2024 next month. Android 15 itself isn’t expected to start rolling out until much later in the year— though it’s unclear exactly when.
More from Tom's Guide
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 performance may be no different from last year's model — here's why
- Your tech devices could get an extra warranty year in the EU
- Tim Cook teases the next big iPad accessory for the Let Loose event
