Soon, owners of Android smartphones will have to plan their installation of third-party apps in advance. Google has begun rolling out a mandatory 24-hour pause when installing APK files from untrusted developers. The change is gradually appearing on devices and is designed to reduce the risk of malware infection.

How APK installation now works

The process has become significantly more complex. Even if the user has already allowed installation from unknown sources, the system will now require them to:

  • modify the relevant security settings,
    • restart the smartphone,
    • observe a mandatory 24-hour pause.

Only after this can the APK file be installed. Google refers to this as the “first version of an enhanced installation process” and emphasizes that the feature is being introduced in stages.

Why Google has taken this step

According to the company, apps installed from third-party sources contain malicious code 50 times more often than those downloaded from official stores. The primary goal of the changes is to protect users from fraud and malware.

This issue is particularly acute in Russia. In February, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that attackers were distributing fake “work” apps disguised as job offers. Among the common malicious filenames are WBwork.apk, YandexTracker.apk, and others that impersonate legitimate services from major companies.

What this means for users

Those accustomed to installing apps from third-party sources—mods, beta versions, or programs unavailable on Google Play—will need to adapt. Spontaneous “here and now” APK installation will no longer be possible. Users will either have to wait 24 hours or look for the app in official stores.

Still, Google is not removing the ability to install such apps—it is simply making the process more deliberate and slower.

In brief

Google has introduced a mandatory 24-hour pause for installing APK files from untrusted developers on Android. To install an app now, users must adjust settings, reboot their device, and wait a full day. The measure is aimed at combating malware: third-party apps are 50 times more likely to contain threats. This is especially relevant amid the spread of fake “work” APKs distributed by scammers.