Android 11 will always allow you to install files .apk, but the operation could be more complicated on this version of the operating system.
The logo of Android 11 / © Google
One of the advantages that one has with an Android smartphone compared to iPhone, it is the freedom that Google’s OS gives to its users. For example, on an iPhone, it is possible to install an app from the App Store. On the Android operating system, it is possible to install an app by downloading its file .apk from another source. This option is for example useful when an Android application is not officially available in your region, but you want to use it.
On Android 11, the ability to install files .apk will not disappear. But it is possible that the process is a bit more complicated on this version of the operating system.
As you may already know, Android 11 is currently available in preview to developers. This preview, which is still unstable, allows you to test the new APIS, and send feedback to Google. And as reported by the website Android Police, it is in testing Andrdoid 11 with this preview that developers have discovered the change on how to install the files .apk.
A new function found on the preview of Android 11
On the previous versions, when one wants to install a file .apk from a browser or a store third, a dialog box asks you to give a permission (by editing a parameter) to this application so that it can install other apps. Once the setting is changed, simply press “Back” to return to the installation process.
But according to Android Police, with the fourth preview of Android 11, when giving the authorization, it force stop the app from which it was desired to install the file .apk. Result, it is necessary to re-open it and redo the installation.
One would be tempted to think that this is a bug, or that Google has decided this change to deter the users to install the files .apk, since this may compromise the security of the user’s device. But in reality, according to the explanations of Android Police, this change would be brought about (it would not be a ” bug “) by a new operating system feature called Scoped Storage designed to better protect user data.
Of course, the preview does not reflect the final version of Android 11, which will be released in a few months. And it is hoped that the firm will find a solution to this problem, as noted by the developers before this output.
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