Your Galaxy phone may get major security enhancements with the One UI 7.0 update. Google is introducing stricter sideloading restrictions in Android 15. Sideloaded apps will face more limitations by default to curb potential abuse. Users can still manually lift some of the restrictions if desired. These updates build upon protections first introduced in Android 13.
Android 15 will tighten sideloading restrictions on your Galaxy phone
In Android 13, Google introduced enhanced security measures for sideloaded apps to prevent potentially malicious behavior. These protections included limiting the apps’ access to sensitive features and permissions, ensuring users had greater control over app functionalities. If needed, users could manually grant necessary permissions. Android 15 builds on this by imposing additional restrictions,
Android expert Mishaal Rahman spotted more restricted settings and permissions for sideloaded apps. These apps can no longer access sensitive features like notifications, default SMS or dialer roles, and device admin permissions by default. Sideloaded apps also won’t be able to display over other apps or use accessibility features unless manually granted by the user after installation.
In a lengthy post on Android Authority, Rahman detailed the added restrictions for sideloaded apps in Google’s Android 15 CDD (Compatibility Definition Document). According to the report, Android 15 restricts Accessibility, Notification listener, Device admin, Display over other apps, and Usage access permissions for these apps. It also prevents SMS runtime permissions and default SMS or dialer roles.
These restrictions are aimed at curbing potential misuse by threat actors, who usually trick unsuspecting users into sideloading malicious apps and then abuse Android permissions to launch attacks. Stricter restrictions limit abuse, thus protecting users. As said earlier, Google still allows users to manually grant restricted permissions. If you knowingly sideloaded an app not available on the Play Store, you can grant all necessary permissions to it. Galaxy users should receive these security enhancements with the Android 15-based One UI 7.0 update.
