Dan Jackson

#dad 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 • Policy Comms at @Google📱 • previously @Twitter Comms 💙 • @WingWingsSF Hella Hot chicken wing eating champion 🍗🔥 • #SFGiants ⚾

[Dan Jackson @DanJackson415]

I am very sorry Asher

[Sameer Samat @ssamat]

Big news: Today, we’re starting to roll out end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging between Android and iPhone users! This cross-industry effort replaces outdated SMS with a more secure & private way to chat, no matter what phone you have.🔒

Thank you to the community for continuing to push for these kinds of features. Your engagement really helps make a difference. Congratulations to the team for reaching this amazing milestone! 🚀

Read more: https://t.co/rqpyCUi2Sr

[Sameer Samat @ssamat]

Biggest. Android. Updates. Ever.
The Android Show: I/O Edition returns May 12 @ 10am PT. 🎬You won't want to miss it: https://t.co/GoHc2IEwzG

[Sameer Samat @ssamat]

Android 17 Beta 3 is here. App bubbles have been a big user request. New system UI blur effects make things feel more premium. Lots more. Check out the details below. 👇

[Abhishek Yadav @yabhishekhd]

Google just changed how you install apps on Android (outside Play Store).

Sounds scary. It’s actually simple.

There’s a new option called “advanced flow.”
The first time you turn it on, you’ll wait 24 hours. Just once.

After that?
You can install any app you want. No limits. No waiting again.

If you use ADB (developer method), nothing changes.
It works exactly like before.

If the app’s developer is verified by Google,
you don’t even need this advanced flow. It installs normally.

Now the important part (many people confused here):

You DON’T need to keep Developer Options ON
→ Turn it on once → enable advanced flow → turn it OFF again

This is important because some banking / payment apps don’t work if Developer Options stay ON

But yes, once enabled:
Advanced flow stays active even after turning it OFF

👉 If you ever want to disable it later
You’ll need to turn Developer Options ON again first

👉 Simple way to understand:
Google didn’t block anything
They just added a one-time pause so people think before installing unknown apps

That’s it.

Fair move or unnecessary complication? 👇

[S M A Sithick @smasithick]

🚨 BREAKING - Android stays OPEN 🔥

After listening to feedback, Google confirms: Sideloading isn’t going anywhere. Period. 💯

But here’s what’s new 👇

🆕 Advanced Flow for unverified apps

• 24-hour waiting period
• Designed to protect users from scams
• Still gives power users full freedom

👉 And importantly:

• One-time process (not repeated every install)
• You can turn off developer options after

Meanwhile 👇

✅ Verified developers → install instantly
✅ New dev account types (hobbyists & students)
✅ ADB access stays
✅ Third-party app stores fully supported

Android remains what it always was:
Open. Flexible. User-first.

This update = more safety without killing freedom 🔐

Big W 👏🏻

[Tim Sweeney @TimSweeneyEpic]

Google just announced a "developer mode" coming to Android. It continues to enable installing unsigned software, a key use case in hobby development and in human rights tools. And it has serious safeguards against the most potent malware attacks like AI impersonation.

[Sameer Samat @ssamat]

Android has always been about choice. Today, we’re sharing how we’re evolving the ecosystem so you don’t have to choose between an open platform and a secure one.

We’re introducing a new advanced flow for sideloading where power users can go through a one time flow to enable their devices to load software from unverified developers. We’ve designed this process to stop more vulnerable users from being coerced to do this during a guided scam (which are a major problem today for people)

We also have new account types for students and hobbyists that address their feedback.

[Sameer Samat @ssamat]

Building high-quality apps with LLMs demands AI that truly understands the Android ecosystem. That’s why we’ve introduced Android Bench, the official leaderboard for LLMs in Android development 🏆.

We’ve tested models against real-world tasks – from Jetpack Compose migrations to complex logic fixes – to help model creators identify gaps and accelerate improvements.

Explore the leaderboard and review our methodology: https://t.co/aVNMYbXQIl

[Tim Sweeney @TimSweeneyEpic]

Current Mood:

[Tim Sweeney @TimSweeneyEpic]

Google is opening up Android all the way with robust support for competing stores, competing payments, and a better deal for all developers. So, we've settled all of our disputes worldwide. THANKS GOOGLE!

[Sameer Samat @ssamat]

Android has always driven innovation in the industry through its unique flexibility and openness. At this important moment, we continue to be at the forefront of how developers distribute their apps and games on billions of devices globally.

Today we are announcing big changes:

– Leading the way in store choice: A registered app store program that makes installation of participating app stores easier with a streamlined flow
– A new business model for Google Play with lower prices for developers: The ability to use your own billing alongside Google Play Billing, and lower service fees.

These changes will make for a stronger Android ecosystem with more choice for users and even more successful developers who can further invest in higher quality experiences on mobile and beyond.

The above will be rolling out in phases, subject to local laws and processes.

We are also excited to announce that we’ve resolved all our disputes with Epic Games globally!

Details on all of this can be found at our blog post.
https://t.co/9Ho6ETHl32

[Sameer Samat @ssamat]

Great to be on stage at #SamsungUnpacked as we look toward the next chapter of Android: evolving from an Operating System to an Intelligent System.

As a preview of what's coming to the next release of Android, we announced a new experience for the Galaxy S26 series: Android works with your AI assistant to navigate apps and get stuff done. Whether it’s helping you with your grocery order or navigating a delivery app, Gemini uses its multimodal reasoning to get the task done. It's built with transparency and control, so you can watch Gemini take every step and pause at any time. Available to start on a limited set of apps – looking forward to your feedback!

The S26 also brings:

✨ Circle to Search: The next generation experience allows you to search multiple objects at once, like finding an entire outfit.

🛡️ Scam Detection: Bringing Google’s advanced, on-device intelligence to the Samsung Phone app for proactive call protection.

Android is where you see the future first, and there's so much more to come.

https://t.co/YZICoHnplG

[Sameer Samat @ssamat]

👀

[Sameer Samat @ssamat]

Welcome back!!

[Epic Games Newsroom @EpicNewsroom]

🚨 Fortnite is back on the Google Play Store in the U.S. following Google’s compliance with the U.S. District Court’s injunction. We’re continuing to work with Google to seek court approval of our settlement. Stay tuned for news of Fortnite's return to Google Play to the rest of the world.

[Seang Chau @seangchau]

Sharing files between Android and iOS just got easier.

Starting today with the Pixel 10 family, Quick Share now works with AirDrop for seamless, secure file sharing—so you don't have to worry about what kind of phone your friends have. https://t.co/xw2XrGUayg

[Sameer Samat @ssamat]

Technology should help bring folks together. Really excited that sharing files between Android and iOS just got easier - starting with Pixel 10 Quick Share now works with AirDrop - so you don't have to worry about what kind of phone your friends have. Coming soon to many more devices! https://t.co/nPemZ79MqJ

[Tim Sweeney @TimSweeneyEpic]

Another great open platform move by Google. Android will get the best of all worlds: a highly secure platform for all, friction-free installation of reputable stores, and the ability to directly install apps from registered developers and (for advanced users) unknown sources.

[Sameer Samat @ssamat]

1/6 Keeping users safe on Android is our top priority. Today, we’re sharing an update on our new developer verification requirements – why they are critical to fighting modern scams, and how we’re adjusting our approach based on community feedback. 👇

[Tim Sweeney @TimSweeneyEpic]

Google has made an awesome proposal, subject to court approval, to open up Android in the US Epic v Google case and settle our disputes. It genuinely doubles down on Android's original vision as an open platform to streamline competing store installs globally, reduce service fees for developers on Google Play, and enable third-party in-app and web payments.

This is a comprehensive solution, which stands in contrast to Apple’s model of blocking all competing stores and leaving payments as the only vector for competition. The public filings are live.