Embedded Files
Updated March 26, 2026
JEAN-HÉON™ WILL RESTRICT ACCESS TO ITS GAMES AND APPLICATIONS ON ANDROID STARTING SEPTEMBER 2026 IF GOOGLE DOES NOT REVERSE ITS MANDATORY DEVELOPER REGISTRATION.
Like other organizations supporting the Keep Android Open movement and opposing the Android Developer Verification program, Jean-Héon™ believes that the new measures implemented by Google risk restricting Android's historical openness and will fail to achieve their goal of protecting Android users from "bad actors." Starting this month and beginning in September 2026, Jean-Héon™ will not participate in this flawed system established by Google following the mandatory verification for all Android developers, even those who do not publish on the Play Store.
According to data collected from F-Droid and Keep Android Open, mandatory developer verification will make Android more dangerous for both users and developers, in addition to compromising the privacy and personal data of Android app developers.
Despite the numerous concerns raised by the organizations that signed the Keep Android Open initiative, Google seems to be maintaining its position for now. Its spokesperson, Matthew Forsythe, claims that these measures are not intended to turn Android into a walled garden, but rather to prevent malicious actors from exploiting anonymity to distribute harmful applications. He adds that it will still be possible to sideload unverified applications using Android Debug Bridge and their advanced streaming system, with a 24-hour delay before installation. However, this is not an acceptable solution for our users, who are not using developer mode and ADB, and these changes will have direct consequences for users of Jean-Héon™ games and applications.
Starting in September 2026, new users will no longer be able to purchase or install our Android games and applications on certified Android devices.
Only experienced users will still be able to install our games and applications on certified Android devices via the Advanced Flow system and ADB. Users with older versions of Android (Android 15 Max), uncertified Android devices (AOSP ROMs and Chinese devices without the Play Store and Google services), and HarmonyOS will still be able to install our existing games and applications. However, we will no longer develop or release new games and applications for Android.
Regarding GrapheneOS, which will be pre-installed on a future Motorola smartphone planned for 2027, Jean-Héon™ indicates that it is monitoring market developments. If significant user demand emerges, the company may continue to develop new Android games and applications exclusively for GrapheneOS and other uncertified AOSP Android devices.
We have made the difficult decision to restrict our existing games and apps on Android unless Google reverses course before then. Starting in September 2026, our games and apps on Android, known for their privacy and secure, efficient provenance, will be restricted and inaccessible. Our games and apps on Android will no longer be accessible to users with certified Android devices, but thousands of new malicious and spoofed apps will appear both inside and outside the Play Store, easily accessible to users with certified Android devices.
Jean-Héon™ initially participated in the Keep Android Open movement because we wanted to believe that through constant pressure from the independent and open-source Android developer community, Google would eventually reverse course and adopt a different, more effective approach to protect Android users and safeguard the privacy and freedom of expression of developers. We can no longer trust a technology company that, in our opinion, fails to deliver on its promises regarding user security and has the opposite effect to what was intended. We believe that mandatory developer verification will discourage both users and developers from using dangerous workarounds to install and distribute their own Android applications, and will compromise the privacy and personal data of Android developers.
Last month, thousands of organizations such as Techlore, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and the Free Software Foundation signed and sent an open letter to Google urging them to reverse course. They presented data and facts to argue in favor of an anonymized solution.
tivirus on certified Android devices. We are disappointed that despite the evidence presented, Google is not reversing its decision, especially since a truly viable solution exists.
Jean-Héon™ and the other organizations that signed the open letter consulted Google and its spokesperson to persuade Google to reverse course and adopt a reasonable user security method. However, according to our latest statement on why we oppose developer verification, an effective application will be impossible:
Malicious actors will find other ways to continue their harmful activities on the platform.
The lives of developers and activists in certain countries will be compromised.
Developer privacy will be compromised.
Legitimate developers living in countries under economic sanctions (Russia, China, Iran) will be excluded from the platform.
Legitimate developers who do not verify their identity will be excluded from the platform.
Applications from legitimate developers could be hijacked by malicious actors.
Workarounds will emerge.
It will not prevent malicious applications from being distributed outside the Play Store.
It strengthens Google's monopoly over its own ecosystem.
New alternatives (HarmonyOS, GrapheneOS, AOSP, Ubuntu Touch, etc.) will be lost. PostmarketOS will quickly fill the gaps left by Google.
We believe that Google's mandatory developer registration program will create an ecosystem in which the vast majority of verified apps outside the Play Store will operate without any oversight. Faced with overly strict restrictions, both developers and users might be tempted to use potentially dangerous workarounds to continue distributing or installing apps. What's even more alarming is that some malicious apps with misleading names like "Free VPN" are distributed on the Play Store despite the developer identity verification process implemented by Google in February 2025. Verified apps distributed outside the Play Store won't change anything, especially since Google has stated that it only verifies signature keys and doesn't check the app's content for malicious code. The longer this situation persists, the more malicious apps, verified both on and off the Play Store, will be downloaded and installed by users. We know that when faced with identity verification, some developers choose riskier workarounds to avoid identity checks. They also seek solutions to bypass restrictions:
Rooting (Allows elevated privileges to superuser rights, enabling the removal or even disabling of limitations imposed by Google on certified Android devices)
Installing a custom ROM if the device supports it (GrapheneOS, /e/OS, LineageOS)
Installing another mobile operating system that doesn't require developer verification to install applications outside of official app stores (HarmonyOS, AOSP, Linux distributions for smartphones like Ubuntu Touch and PostmarketOS)
Using browser-based PWAs (Progressive Web Apps) to launch mobile applications directly in the browser, which doesn't require developer identity verification.
Purchasing a new, uncertified Android device
Installation via ADB (Android Debug Bridge)
Installation via the Advanced Streaming System
Installing an application that allows sandboxing Android applications
Using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to connect from a country that doesn't require mandatory developer verification
Regarding user security on Android at Jean-Héon™, we believe that for a safer digital world, every device must be secure for everyone. Security shouldn't depend on excessive user restrictions or centralized control of software distribution. Instead, we support a model where:
Legitimate applications, even those not verified by an official store, can run freely.
Malicious and fraudulent applications are blocked by default thanks to robust protection mechanisms built into the system.
This model already exists on other operating systems. Microsoft has demonstrated this for over 14 years with Microsoft Defender, integrated since Windows 8. On Windows, .exe files can be freely distributed without prior verification of the developers' identities, while still benefiting from built-in antivirus protection.
Updated March 25, 2026
Advanced Flow: A Half-Bottom Solution
Matthew Forsythe, Director of Product Management for Developer Experience on Google Play at Google, recently confirmed in a tweet on the X platform (formerly Twitter) that it will be possible to disable Developer Mode once Advanced Flow is enabled to use apps that don't work with Developer Mode enabled, such as banking apps.
However, at Jean-Héon™, we remain cautious. Currently, it's unclear whether it will actually be possible to use Advanced Flow once enabled while having Developer Mode disabled, and we don't know if enabling Advanced Flow will affect critical apps like banking apps, which might not function if the Advanced Flow system is activated.
As long as Google hasn't publicly demonstrated its advanced flow system and shown that banking apps will function with developer mode disabled and the advanced flow enabled without developer mode, the situation remains unchanged: all unverified apps will be blocked once their lockdown goes into effect in September 2026.
At Jean-Héon™, we will continue to support a device-level antivirus security solution and closely monitor the situation, adapting our strategies to ensure our software and games remain accessible, independent, and free to distribute.
Updated March 24, 2026
Users overwhelmingly oppose restrictions on third-party APKs on Android
A recent survey conducted by Android Authority, a media outlet specializing in Android news, highlights significant user opposition to restrictions on installing applications via third-party APK files on Google's operating system.
According to the survey results:
48% of respondents believe these restrictions make Android less open and are detrimental to advanced users.
31% understand Google's security intentions, while considering the approach excessive.
18% support the measures implemented.
3% indicate they are not affected, as they do not install third-party APKs.
This data reveals that a significant majority of users have reservations about the platform's evolution. While the security objectives are acknowledged, a large portion of the community fears a challenge to the open nature that has historically defined Android.
This survey is part of a broader context of debates surrounding the balance between security, platform control and user freedom.
Updated March 23, 2026
According to a survey conducted by the Keep Android Open movement, 58% of participants believe that Google's attempt to restrict third-party APKs on Android is an attempt to take total control of the platform, gradually transforming it into a walled garden like its competitor, Apple's iOS. 41% of participants believe that restricting third-party APKs on Android means the end of software freedom on Android, while 2% believe it is necessary to strengthen user security, even at the expense of users on the platform.
Updated March 22, 2026
Recent developments surrounding Google and Android are now taking place within a global context of increasing tension between major tech platforms and regulators. In Japan, the Japan Fair Trade Commission has officially ordered Google to cease certain practices deemed anti-competitive, notably the requirement to pre-install its services, such as Google Search and Chrome, on Android devices.
According to Japanese authorities, these practices restricted competition by preventing manufacturers from freely offering alternatives, particularly by making access to the Play Store or advertising revenue contingent on the integration of Google services. This decision marks a significant step, as it is the first direct intervention of this kind against a tech giant in Japan.
In this context, the new restrictions implemented by Google regarding the installation of third-party APKs take on a different dimension. Officially presented as security measures to protect users from malicious applications, they also reflect an environment where platforms are seeking to maintain greater control over their ecosystems.
For independent developers like Jean-Héon™, this creates a paradoxical situation. On the one hand, regulators are trying to limit Google's power and open the market to more competition. On the other hand, the technical mechanisms implemented on Android make independent distribution more complex, particularly through external APKs.
This tension between regulation and technical control reflects a profound transformation of the mobile ecosystem. Android officially remains an open platform, but in practice, user access is becoming increasingly restricted.
Ultimately, these developments could either rebalance the market in favor of independent developers or reinforce centralization around dominant platforms, depending on how these rules are applied and circumvented.
Updated March 21, 2026
The investigation conducted under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) published preliminary findings on March 19, 2025, implicating Google.
On the same day, Google unveiled a new system called “Advanced Flow,” which notably imposes a 24-hour delay for installing applications from third-party sources (APKs).
According to several legal experts, these new measures could conflict with the DMA. This regulation requires companies considered “gatekeepers” to allow the installation of third-party software without requiring the use of their own identity or distribution services.
The Digital Markets Act, which came into force in March 2024, aims to ensure fair competition in the European digital ecosystem and to limit anti-competitive practices by large platforms.
Furthermore, Japan recently ruled that certain forms of online identity verification are illegal. This decision could have significant repercussions for developer verification policies, particularly within the Android ecosystem.
In this context, Google's developer verification requirements could be limited or adapted in Japan, creating a notable regulatory contrast with other regions of the world.
These differences increase uncertainty surrounding the future of application distribution rules and could ultimately influence the global policies of digital platforms.
Updated March 19, 2026
Google today released technical details of its new "Advanced Flow" system for installing Android apps from external sources. Here's how it works.
Enable Developer Mode by tapping the software build number in About phone seven times. In Settings > System, open Developer options and scroll down to "Allow unverified packages."
Toggle the switch and respond to a scary screen confirming you are not being forced.
Enter your device's PIN/password.
Restart your device.
Wait 24 hours.
Return to the Unverified Packages menu at the end of the security period.
Scroll through additional scary screen warnings and select "Allow temporarily" (seven days) or "Allow indefinitely."
On the next scary screen, confirm that you understand the risks.
You can now install unverified packages on the device by tapping the "Install anyway" option in the package manager.
Note that the Advanced Flow system is provided through Google Play Services, not by Android itself. This means that Google can modify, restrict, and remove it at any time without an operating system update or a major new Android version, and without the user's consent.
However, please note that the details published by Google regarding the Advanced Flow system should be taken with a grain of salt, as the Advanced Flow system has not yet appeared in a beta, development, or canary version of Android. Currently, it only exists as a blog post and user interface mockup.
Unless Google decides to provide a shipping implementation that can be independently verified, our position remains unchanged: all unverified applications will be blocked once the Android shutdown takes effect in September 2026.
At Jean-Héon™, we will continue to support a device-level antivirus security solution and closely monitor the situation, adapting our strategies accordingly to ensure our software and games remain accessible, independent, and free to distribute.
Updated March 17, 2026
New legislation regarding age verification for operating systems, including Android, came into effect today in Brazil.
This law requires platforms and operating systems to integrate stronger age verification mechanisms to restrict access to certain digital content, particularly apps and games deemed sensitive or intended for an adult audience.
Impacts on installing third-party APKs
In this context, Google is accelerating the rollout of restrictions on installing apps from external sources (third-party APKs), outside of the Play Store.
This could translate to:
A limitation on APK installation outside of the Play Store
The introduction of mandatory age and identity checks before installation
Stronger warnings or automatic blocking for certain applications
Increased dependence on the Google Play Store and Google mobile services
What this means for Jean-Héon™
For the Jean-Héon™ ecosystem, these changes represent a major challenge:
Reduced accessibility: users may have more difficulty installing independently distributed APKs
Market fragmentation: some regions, like Brazil, are becoming more restrictive, complicating global APK distribution
Necessary adaptation: exploration of alternative solutions (AOSP, Linux on smartphones, web distribution, local partnerships)
At Jean-Héon™, we will continue to support a device-level antivirus security solution and closely monitor the situation, adapting our strategies to ensure our software and games remain accessible, independent, and free to distribute.
Updated March 14, 2026
Two weeks after the launch of the open letter to Google, the Keep Android Open open letter has gathered over 50 signatures from 20 countries. Forbrukerrådet, a consumer protection association in Norway, supports the Keep Android Open movement with a short film inspired by road safety and awareness advertisements, titled "A Day in the Life of an Ensh*ttificator.":https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4Upf_B9RLQ
Updated March 13, 2026
Matthew Forsythe, Director of Product Management for Developer Experience on Google Play at Google, recently confirmed in a tweet that the "Advanced Feed" feature for advanced Android users is currently under development and should be released soon.
According to him, this feature aims to allow advanced users to continue installing apps from external sources.
However, at Jean-Héon™, we remain cautious.
We cannot fully trust Google until the "Advanced Feed" feature is officially deployed, documented, and accessible to all affected users. Recent history with digital platforms reminds us that a technical promise does not necessarily guarantee true openness.
The gradual restriction of third-party APK installations could have significant consequences for:
Independent developers
Alternative app distribution platforms
Open-source projects
Users who want to maintain control over their devices
For Jean-Héon™, this situation reinforces the need to continue our efforts toward:
HarmonyOS
Mobile Linux support
The use of AOSP and alternative Android systems
Open technologies like HTML5
The international Keep Android Open movement continues to mobilize digital rights organizations to preserve the freedom to install apps on Android.
At Jean-Héon™, we will continue to support a device-level antivirus security solution and closely monitor the situation, adapting our strategies to ensure our software and games remain accessible, independent, and free to distribute.
Updated March 12, 2026
In a context where the Android ecosystem is becoming increasingly closed (developer verification, restrictions on installing third-party APKs not verified by Google, dependence on the Play Store), much like its long-time rival Apple's iOS, the announcement of the Finnish manufacturer Jolla's return to the smartphone market could represent an interesting alternative for those who want a more open environment and to regain control over their own smartphone.
A European Smartphone Running on Linux
Jolla is preparing its return to the mobile phone market with a new smartphone running Sailfish OS, a mobile operating system based directly on Linux and independent of Android and iOS.
Unlike alternative Android ROMs such as GrapheneOS or LineageOS, Sailfish OS is not based on the Android Open Source Project. This means it can operate without Google services or dependence on the Android ecosystem, while maintaining compatibility with many Android applications through an emulation layer.
The new phone is expected to offer:
a 6.36″ Full HD+ AMOLED display
a MediaTek 5G processor (Dimensity series)
12 GB of RAM
256 GB of expandable storage
a removable 5,500 mAh battery
a 50 MP main camera
dual SIM and 5G compatibility.
The expected price is between €599 (CAD$941.81) and €699 (CAD$1,099.04), with initial pre-orders at €499 (CAD$784.58).
For now, the phone is scheduled to launch primarily and exclusively in Europe in the first half of 2026, with no plans for North America or the rest of the world at this time.
A Digital Sovereignty-Focused Approach
Jolla highlights several key arguments:
No background data collection or telemetry
No mandatory Google account
A physical switch to disable the camera, microphone,
and sensors
A European system independent of Big Tech.
In a context where Android is becoming increasingly controlled by Google, this positioning clearly targets users and developers concerned about the centralization of mobile platforms.
What this means for Jean-Héon™
For developers and technology initiatives like Jean-Héon™, this development confirms several trends:
Android remains dominant and number one in the smartphone market, but its historical openness is being challenged.
Independent mobile Linux systems (Sailfish OS, Ubuntu Touch, postmarketOS) could once again become strategic.
Custom Android ROMs (GrapheneOS, LineageOS, /e/OS) could once again become strategic.
The European, Canadian, and Asian markets could seek alternatives to American platforms.
If restrictions on third-party APKs not verified by Google become more stringent, platforms like Sailfish OS could become havens for the free installation of applications and for developers wishing to avoid store gatekeepers.
Updated March 11, 2026
La Quadrature du Net, the renowned French organization for the defense and promotion of rights and freedoms on the internet, has just signed the open letter to Google from Android Keep Open. La Quadrature du Net's inclusion on the list is symbolically important, as it is a highly influential organization in Europe and France in debates on digital rights, surveillance, and platform regulation.
Updated March 9, 2026
Jean-Héon™ has just removed all Keep Android Open warnings on Itch.io on the Joystie™, Canis Shieldo™, Picola Anatis Jr. Paint™, and Fi Shu Mi Gun™ pages. Our Android games and applications will no longer be available to the public with certified Android devices starting in September 2026 unless Google reverses its decision. Only advanced users using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and users with uncertified Android devices (custom ROMs and Chinese devices without Google services and the Play Store) will still be able to purchase and install our Android games and applications after this date. We are very disappointed by Google's decision, which does not seem to be reversing its mandatory developer verification and appears to be turning a deaf ear to Keep Android Open and the open letter addressed to them, which has been signed by more than 40 organizations. Jean-Héon™ will always advocate for a solution based at the device antivirus level, which Jean-Héon™ considers the safest and most effective way to protect user security and safeguard the privacy and freedom of expression of developers.
Updated March 8, 2026
The Keep Android Open Sale on Itch.io has just ended, and Joystie™, Canis Shieldo™, Picola Anatis Jr. Paint™, and Fi Shu Mi Gun™ are once again paid apps, with the exception of Android ports, which will remain free until Google responds to the independent Android developer community and reverses its policy of mandatory Android developer registration.
We will also maintain our Keep Android Open Android warnings on our website and on the Itch.io pages for Joystie™, Canis Shieldo™, Picola Anatis Jr. Paint™, and Fi Shu Mi Gun™ until Google responds to the independent Android developer community and reverses its policy of mandatory Android developer registration.
Updated March 6, 2026
Matthew Forsythe, Director of Product Management, Developer Experience at Google Play, and Head of Product Presentation, has just addressed the growing concerns of open-source and independent developers in the Android community via a tweet on his X account (formerly Twitter).
"To be clear: This isn't a plan to "strip away freedom," but a shift toward responsible openness. If the documentation feels vague, it’s often because we are building in flexibility for different types of creators. We will provide more clarity as we get closer to launch."
Matthew Forsythe
Nevertheless, several questions remain within the Android developer community. Matthew Forsythe notably did not answer the question of whether Google is actually developing an "advanced feed" system for installing external APKs for experienced users, as had been mentioned in announcements last November.
Several other questions also remain unanswered:
Will the future system require developer identity verification even for distribution outside the Play Store?
Will APKs installed from external sources be subject to additional warnings or technical restrictions?
Will open-source and independent projects be able to continue freely distributing their applications via alternative websites or platforms?
Will alternative systems such as F-Droid repositories or open-source installers, as well as third-party app stores, be affected by these changes?
These questions are currently fueling the debate on the balance between user security and the openness of the Android platform. Jean-Héon™ will provide more information as soon as Google releases further details before the official launch of these changes.
In parallel, Jean-Héon™ is removing the Keep Android banners from the following games and software: Canis Shieldo™, Joystie™, Picola Anatis Jr. Paint™, and Fi Shu Mi Gun™.
We removed our banners because we have a lot of work ahead of us regarding future updates to these projects, as well as new projects. Even though we have removed our banners, we continue to support the KeepAndroidOpen movement and will keep you informed as soon as more information becomes available.
Updated March 5, 2026
The first week of the Keep Android Open open letter has already garnered 50 signatures from 50 organizations in 20 countries worldwide. Signatories include the Electronic Frontier Foundation, OpenMedia, Brave Software, and Vivaldi Technologies.
The Keep Android Open movement is calling on Google to reverse certain measures that could further restrict Android's openness, particularly regarding the installation of third-party apps.
You can now follow Keep Android Open on several social media platforms:
Today, Google and Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite and the Unreal Engine, announced changes to the openness of Android devices to competition from third-party app stores and alternative payment systems. The company also indicated that it has settled its global legal dispute with Google, including in several key jurisdictions such as the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. However, we do not yet know if the direct installation of third-party APKs (outside the Play Store) will be affected by this new agreement.
Updated March 2, 2026
GrapheneOS Foundation, the organization behind the privacy-focused custom Android AOSP ROM GrapheneOS, has just announced a strategic partnership with smartphone manufacturer Motorola at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. Currently compatible only with Google Pixel devices, GrapheneOS is installed via the Motorola bootloader. Motorola plans to launch a future smartphone with GrapheneOS pre-installed and ready to use, while also bringing core GrapheneOS features to other models of its smartphones and other devices.
This strategic partnership marks a significant turning point: for the first time, a security- and privacy-focused Android AOSP alternative, with the freedom to install APKs, could be offered directly by a mainstream manufacturer outside of China. Jean-Héon™ believes that GrapheneOS could, in the long term, help preserve the installation of third-party applications—that is, the ability to run independent APKs outside of centralized official stores like the Play Store—within a secure framework.
In a context where Google wants to cut off the flow of APK installation freedom on Android, an approach focused on system security rather than distribution lock-down could:
Maintain the ability to run open-source and independent applications.
Protect the existing heritage of open-source and independent APKs accumulated over the years.
Ensure the long-term viability of alternative, educational, community, or experimental applications.
For Jean-Héon™, installing third-party APKs is not a vulnerability: it represents a historical pillar of Android's openness. If solutions like GrapheneOS manage to reconcile enhanced security with freedom of execution, they could play a major role in preserving this digital legacy.
Regarding user security on Android at Jean-Héon™, we are convinced that for a safer digital world, every device must be secure for everyone. Security should not depend on excessive user restrictions or centralized control of software distribution. On the contrary, we support a model where:
Legitimate applications, even those not verified by an official store, can be run freely.
Malicious and fraudulent applications are blocked by default thanks to robust protection mechanisms built into the system.
This model already exists on other operating systems. Microsoft has demonstrated this for over 14 years with Microsoft Defender, integrated since Windows 8. On Windows, .exe files can be freely distributed without prior verification of the developers' identities, while benefiting from built-in antivirus protection capable of blocking threats. This is a fundamental cybersecurity principle designed to protect users from malware without erecting disproportionate barriers to innovation and freedom of distribution.
Updated February 25, 2026
Following Canis Shieldo™ and Joystie™, it's now Picola Anatis Jr. Paint™ and Fi Shu Mi Gun™'s turn to receive the Android Keep Open banner. We've also made Picola Anatis Jr. Paint and Fi Shu Mi Gun available for free in the Keep Android Open Sale so you can easily download all our APKs as a protest against Google's attempt to become the gatekeeper of our Android devices.
Regarding user security on Android at Jean-Héon™, we firmly believe that for a safer digital world, every device must be secure for everyone. Every device should come with a default antivirus that allows legitimate and unverified applications to run, while blocking malicious and fraudulent applications by default. Microsoft has demonstrated this for nearly a decade on its Windows operating system with its Microsoft Defender antivirus, introduced with Windows 8, without verifying the identity of developers distributing .exe files. This is the fundamental principle of protection against malware on every device, which Jean-Héon™ considers the safest and most effective solution to preserve the privacy and freedom of expression of developers on Android and other operating systems.
Updated February 24, 2026
The civil rights movement KeepAndroidOpen has just sent an open letter addressed to Sundai Pichai (CEO of Google), Sergey Brin, Larry Page (Members of the Google Board of Directors), Vijaya Kaza (General Manager of Trust in Apps and the Google Ecosystem), regulatory authorities, policymakers, and the Android developer community, as well as to the mandatory registration of developers for application distribution on Android, asking them to reverse the developer verification on Android. They are concerned that Google is becoming a gatekeeper beyond the Play Store, a policy initially slated to take effect in Brazil, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand in September 2026, before being rolled out globally in 2027.
Link to read the open letter to Google: Source: https://keepandroidopen.org/open-letter/
While Android Keep Open recognizes the importance of platform and user security, the Android platform already has several security mechanisms that do not require centralized identity verification. Forcing an external system to verify the identity of every developer goes against Android's historically open nature and threatens innovation, competition, confidentiality, and the privacy and freedom of both users and developers. Keep Android Open urges Google to immediately withdraw this policy and work with the open-source community and independent app developers on less restrictive and more user- and developer-friendly alternatives.
Several user and digital rights advocacy organizations signed this letter, demonstrating their commitment to defending a free and open Android, independent of Google's control.
Organizations that signed the "Android Keep Open" open letter to Google.
Ad Guard (Cyprus) 🇨🇾
F-Droid (Netherlands) 🇳🇱
The App Fair Project (France) 🇫🇷
Fedimedia (Italy) 🇮🇹
Article 19 (United Kingdom) 🇬🇧
The Free Software Foundation (United States) 🇺🇸
Associação Nacional Para O Software Livre/ANSOL (Portugal) 🇵🇹
The Free Software Foundation Europe (Germany) 🇩🇪
Aurora Store (India) 🇮🇳
The Guardian Project (United States) 🇺🇸
Brave (United States) 🇺🇸
IzzyOnDroid (International) 🌎
The Central For Digital Progress/D64 (Germany) 🇩🇪
JMP.Chat (Canada) 🇨🇦
The Chaos Computer Club (Germany) 🇩🇪
KDE e.V. (Germany) 🇩🇪
Codeberg e.V. (Germany) 🇩🇪
LineageOS (United States) 🇺🇸
CryptPad (France) 🇫🇷
microG (Internationale) 🌎
Cryptee (Estonia) 🇪🇪
Molly (International) 🌎
Data Rights (Netherlands) 🇳🇱
Nextcloud (Allemagne) 🇩🇪
Digitale Gesellschaft (Switzerland) 🇨🇭
Obtainium (International) 🌎
The Digital Rights Foundation (Pakistan) 🇵🇰
The OpenStreetMap Foundation (United Kingdom) 🇬🇧
Digital Rights Watch (Australia) 🇦🇺
Open Right Group (United Kingdom) 🇬🇧
epicenter.works - for digital rights (Austria) 🇦🇹
Osservatorio Nessuno OdV (Italy) 🇮🇹
/e/ Foundation (France) 🇫🇷
Proton AG (Switzerland) 🇨🇭
European Digital Rights (Belgium) 🇧🇪
Rossman Group (United States) 🇺🇸
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (United States) 🇺🇸
Software Freedom Conservancy (United States) 🇺🇸
Fastmail (Australia) 🇦🇺
Techlore (United States) 🇺🇸
FULU Foundation (United States) 🇺🇸
FUTO (United States) 🇺🇸
The Tor Projects (United States) 🇺🇸
Fundación Karisma (Colombia) 🇨🇴
Tuta Mail (Germany) 🇩🇪
Ghostery (Germany) 🇩🇪
Vivaldi Technologies AS (Norway) 🇳🇴
The Keep Android Open movement demands Google is being urged to backtrack on its new policy of mandatory developer verification, fearing that Android will become a walled garden and a less open, more centralized, and more controlled ecosystem, to the detriment of freedom of installation, innovation, and the freedom of developers and users.
Regarding user security on Android at Jean-Héon™, we are convinced that for a safer digital world, every device must be secure for everyone. Every device should be equipped with a default antivirus that allows legitimate and unverified applications to run, while blocking malicious and fraudulent applications by default. Microsoft has demonstrated this for nearly a decade on its Windows operating system with its Microsoft Defender antivirus, introduced with Windows 8, without verifying the identity of developers distributing .exe files. This is the fundamental principle of protection against malware on every device, which Jean-Héon™ considers the safest and most effective solution to preserve the privacy and freedom of expression of developers on Android and other operating systems.
Updated February 23, 2026
We are following in the footsteps of F-Droid, IzzyOnDroid, and Obtainium in the "Keep Android Open" movement by adding a banner to each of our flagship Android apps, Joystie™ and Canis Shieldo™. Picola Anatis Jr. Paint™ and Fi Shu Mi Gun™ are excluded from the Keep Android Open Sale because Picola Anatis Jr. Paint is primarily aimed at a young audience, and Fi Shu Mi Gun™ is still under development, making the release of an Android version within this developer verification process uncertain.
With this banner, we want to inform everyone concerned about Android's openness. Time is running out; it's almost too late before Google becomes the gatekeeper of all certified Android devices. Jean-Héon™ is out of time. Developers are out of time.
Meanwhile, Google announces that developer identity verification will come into effect in Europe in 2027.
At Jean-Héon™, we believe that for a safer digital world, every device must be secure for everyone. Every device should be equipped with a default antivirus that allows legitimate, unverified applications to run, while blocking malicious and fraudulent applications by default. Microsoft has demonstrated this for nearly 10 years on its Windows operating system with its Microsoft Defender antivirus, introduced with Windows 8, without verifying the identity of developers distributing .exe files. This is the fundamental principle of malware protection on every device, which Jean-Héon™ considers the safest and most effective solution for preserving the privacy and freedom of expression of developers on Android and other operating systems.
Updated February 22, 2026
Updated February 22, 2026
Jean-Héon™ is launching the Keep Android Open Sale #KeepAndroidOpen on Itch.io.
Link to the Keep Android Open Sale #KeepAndroidOpen: https://itch.io/s/180849/keep-android-open-sale-keepandroidopen
From February 22, 2026 at 4 PM until March 8, 2026 at midnight, you can download the following games and apps for free, as they are affected by Google's decision to restrict APK installations.
Joystie/Diagnostick™
Canis Shieldo™
Picola Anatis Jr. Paint™
Fi Shu Mi Gun™
We have made all our games and apps available for free so you can easily download them as a sign of protest against this disastrous new policy from Google towards open source and independent mobile developers. The more people download our mobile apps and the more people install open source app stores like F-Droid, the harder it will be for Google to enforce this identity verification for all developers.
Updated February 20, 2026
F-Droid and other open-source Android app stores like Izzydroid and Obtainium now display a warning thumbnail in their apps and websites with the following message: "F-Droid is under threat. Google is changing the way you install apps on your device. We need your help. https://keepandroidopen.org/fr/"
Although Google decided to back down on the installation of external APKs last November, there's no guarantee that Google will continue with the APK installation restriction in September of this year unless they decide to introduce their advanced streaming system by then. From now on, Jean-Héon™ will display text on Itch.io on every page of its games and apps available on Android in support of the Keep Android Open movement and F-Droid. Here is the list of games and apps on our Itch.io where the text will appear.
Canis Shieldo™
Joystie™
Picola Anatis Jr. Paint™
Fi Shu Mi Gun™
Old Jean-Héon Games Compilation™ and Timolod™ are excluded because, currently, these two games do not have an Android port.
Note that Fayro Kampo VR™, although it offers an Android XR version, is excluded because developer identity verification only applies to certified Android devices. It does not apply to virtual reality headsets (Meta Quest, PicoXR), devices with custom ROMs, uncertified Chinese AOSP devices without Google services, or Android emulators on PC such as Bluestacks and Waydroid.
Jean-Héon™ also invites you to visit the Keep Android Open website (https://keepandroidopen.org/fr/) and contact your country's national regulatory authorities to file a complaint.
This intrusive developer verification method will push both users and developers to use dangerous workarounds to run their preferred APKs outside the Play Store on Android. Furthermore, it will expose each APK developer's identity to data leaks, facilitate identity theft, and endanger everyone's privacy.
At Jean-Héon™, we believe that to make the digital world safer for everyone, every device must be a secure device for everyone. Every device should be equipped with a default antivirus that allows legitimate, unverified applications to run while blocking malicious and fraudulent applications by default. Microsoft has demonstrated this for nearly 10 years on its Windows operating system with its Microsoft Defender antivirus, first introduced in Windows 8, without verifying the identity of each developer distributing .exe files on its OS. This is the fundamental principle of malware protection on every device, which Jean-Héon™ considers the safest and most effective solution for maintaining the privacy and freedom of expression of developers on Android and other operating systems.
Updated January 19, 2026
Google is preparing a "high-friction" APK installation process for Android outside of the Play Store. For now, Google hasn't provided many details on how this process will work, but we'll give you more information as soon as it becomes available. This friction also raises doubts and uncertainty about the open future of Android and the possibility of manually installing applications outside the Play Store. This highlights the importance for Jean-Héon™ of porting its games and software to mobile HTML5, mobile Linux operating systems, and Android and other Chinese mobile operating systems in order to diversify its business across Android and iOS mobile devices.
As we at Jean-Héon™ will continue to emphasize, we believe that to make the digital world safer for everyone, every device must be a secure device for everyone. Only advanced and experienced developers should have the right to manually install their applications without relying on an app store and to block applications deemed truly dangerous by the operating system's antivirus for novice and beginner users. This is the basic principle of malware protection on every device, which Jean-Héon™ considers the safest and most effective solution for maintaining the privacy and freedom of expression of developers on Android and other operating systems.
Updated January 11, 2026
Google will now only release the Android source code twice a year, instead of four times, for stability reasons. This change reduces the visibility and responsiveness of developers who rely on the source code for their projects. It also raises doubts and uncertainties about the open future of Android and the ability to manually install apps outside of the Play Store.
“Android Developer Verification is an absurdity for the free mobile ecosystem.” — Samuel Jean-Héon, CEO of Jean-Héon™
At Jean-Héon™, we still believe that to make the digital world safer for everyone, every device must be a secure device for everyone. Only advanced and experienced developers should be able to manually install their apps, without relying on an app store, while the OS blocks apps that are truly dangerous for novice users. This is the basic principle of malware protection on every device, and what Jean-Héon™ considers the safest and most effective solution for preserving the privacy and freedom of expression of developers on Android and other operating systems.
Updated December 11, 2025
Amazon has also confirmed that a delay of approximately three weeks will be applied between the appearance of warnings regarding applications and their potential deactivation for content deemed unauthorized. This delay gives affected developers a reasonable period to react and make adjustments or clarifications if necessary. Jean-Héon™ acknowledges this procedure and remains committed to respecting current policies, while ensuring that its users are informed should any of its products be impacted.
Updated December 2, 2025
Valve, the company behind the renowned Steam game and software store and the popular SteamOS Linux distribution, has just announced Lepton, a translation layer that allows Android games and applications to run on SteamOS/Linux. Lepton is to Android games and applications what Proton was to Windows games and software. Jean-Héon™ welcomes Lepton's arrival on Android with optimism, as it inherently weakens Google's ability to threaten manual installation of applications outside the Play Store and strengthens the preservation of manual installation and the freedom of expression for developers on Android.
Updated November 21, 2025
Amazon, in collaboration with the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), has begun rolling out an official blacklist of blocked third-party apps on Fire TV and Fire TV Stick devices running Fire OS or Vega OS. These new restrictions exclusively target apps associated with illegal IPTV streaming, pirate services, and tools explicitly flagged by rights holders or the ACE.
Amazon's new measures only target apps related to illegal IPTV streaming or services flagged by rights holders and the ACE. Jean-Héon™ is therefore not affected by these blocks. Our games and software can continue to be legally installed on compatible platforms, including Fire TV, as long as Amazon maintains an open environment for legitimate developers.
Updated November 20, 2025
Although Google has finally reversed its decision regarding the restriction of unverified third-party apps on Android, there is one important exception: Amazon devices running Android.
Amazon recently began blocking the installation of third-party apps from outside the Amazon Appstore on devices using FireOS. For now, this measure is only active in France and Germany, two countries where IPTV piracy is particularly widespread. Amazon justifies this new restriction by its desire to combat the massive use of unofficial IPTV apps. However, the restriction indiscriminately affects all apps downloaded from outside the Amazon Appstore, thus limiting the freedom of advanced users and independent developers. Amazon does specify, however, that the Android-based FireOS will not be immediately replaced by the Linux-based VegaOS, and that the two systems will continue to coexist for some time.
November 17 2025
Google recently initiated a complete reversal aimed at restricting the manual installation of unverified apps from outside the Play Store on Android. Faced with criticism from the "Keep Android Open" community, F-Droid, GrapheneOS, and numerous independent developers, the Mountain View company confirmed that it will still allow advanced and experienced users to freely install their own apps without mandatory identity verification by Google. Jean-Héon™, along with its two subsidiaries Pizzla Studio™ (mobile & VR games) and Plexippus Studio™ (PC games), welcomes this decision with optimism. Jean-Héon™ will be able to continue porting its applications to Android while Pizzla Studio™ in collaboration with Plexippus Studio™ will be able to continue working on the Android porting of our future games.
Google is expected to soon implement a new advanced workflow that allows advanced and experienced users to accept the risks involved in installing an unverified app. This approach strikes the perfect balance between advanced and experienced users who want to install the apps of their choice and novice and beginner users who are hesitant to manually install apps from outside the Play Store. Google hasn't yet provided details on how the advanced feed will work, but we'll give you more information when it becomes available.
To make the digital world safer for everyone, every device must be secure for everyone. Only advanced and experienced developers should have the right to manually install their applications without relying on an app store and blocking applications deemed truly dangerous by the operating system's antivirus for novice and beginner users. This is the basic principle of malware protection on every device, which Jean-Héon™ considers the safest and most effective solution to maintaining the privacy and freedom of expression of developers on Android and other operating systems.
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