The Google Play Store has a Nearby Share-powered method for sending apps on your device to others, but this is now going away...

The Google Play Store has a Nearby Share-powered method for sending apps on your device to others, but this is now going away…

  • @BigfishEnglish
    51•2 months ago

    Hey look, Google killed something that could be great rather than spending time making it work. How novel…

    • OtterEnglish
      8•2 months ago

      Sounds like they want everyone to download directly from the Play store, and not in a way they can’t control?

      Same trend as the official OS only apps, overzealous ‘Play Protect’, etc.

      You can still use Files by Google to share Android applications in a similar manner. Under Categories, go to “Apps” and then the overflow menu for what you want to “Share.”

      A lot of other apps still support it, including FOSS ones, unless the play app did something extra?

      For example

      • SD Maid SE: App Control > Export App
      • Kvaesitso: long tap > 3 dot menu > Share app
      • F-Droid for all of their apps
      • @[email protected]English
        4•2 months ago

        This feels like preperation for enforcing backdoored chat apps to me. The EU has been pushing for this for years now and eventually it will happen. When the time comes it will most likely come with laws that force google to make sideloading impossible to prevent people from using backdoor free apps.

        All while other parts of the EU are actively supporting sideloading and FOSS. Its such a clown world we live in.

    • deadcatbounceEnglish
      1•2 months ago

      This. The share is an easy way to get the package id without installing a package manager; just grab the last parameter.

      • @[email protected]English
        1•2 months ago

        The package name is visible in App info, no need to install anything - just long press the app icon, pick App info and scroll down to version

        1000025523

    • tb_English
      6•2 months ago

      What do you use it for, when you’re outside network range?

      I’ve never been in a situation where it felt necessary.

      • @[email protected]English
        14•2 months ago

        Some apps show as incompatible with my tablet (Lenovo Y700 Gen 2) even though they work fine. I can often share those from my phone directly in the Play Store.

        The article says I could use Files going forward, but it doesn’t work - Quick Share is missing entirely on the tablet and I haven’t found a way to enable/install it

        • tb_English
          4•2 months ago

          I see. There’s stuff such as apkmirror, but an official way to do it is better.

        • OtterEnglish
          2•2 months ago

          While I haven’t tested these extensively, you could give them a try (both are foss):

          • SD Maid SE: App Control > Export App
          • Kvaesitso: long tap > 3 dot menu > Share app

          First one is designed for managing / cleaning up app storage. Second one is a launcher, so it might be a bit janky if all you need to do is transfer an app

    • NateEnglish
      11•2 months ago

      Quick share isn’t going away, the functionality to share apps in Google Play using quick share is