Google changes how Android phones install apps from outside its store

Google is introducing a new 24-hour waiting period for Android users who want to install apps from sources other than its official Play Store, a process known as sideloading. The company says this mandatory delay is designed to protect people from scams by giving its security systems time to analyze unverified apps.

This change comes as Google faces regulatory pressure, particularly in the European Union, over how it manages its app ecosystem. The move represents a shift in how the company balances user choice with security on its mobile platform.