At the Google I/O 2024 event, Google unveiled the Play Integrity API, a suite of security APIs for Google Play that allows app developers to verify that users are accessing our services through an “unmodified app binary” and installing it through Google Play on actual Android devices, not rooted or modified devices.
One feature of the Play Integrity API is to check whether the app is installed through Google Play or sideloading. If sideloading is detected, it can block usage and display a notification prompting users to download the same app through Google Play.
The Play Integrity API is currently available for limited apps. Recently, Android Authority reported that some apps have started using this feature, such as Diablo Immortal, Tesco, and BeyBlade X.
In a Reddit post, there is an example of attempting to play Diablo Immortal on a modified Android device turned into a vintage console but encountering the “Get this app from Play” screen when trying to open the game.
This feature of the Play Integrity API also provides developers with information on users attempting to install apps through sideloading, allowing developers to choose to block access to apps for those specific user accounts.
Source – Android Authority
TLDR: Google introduced the Play Integrity API at Google I/O 2024 for enhanced security on Google Play, detecting sideloaded apps and providing developers with insights on user activity.
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