Did you know Google Makes it Safer and Simpler To Sideload Apps With New ‘Pause’ Feature on Play Protect

 

Android users might be thanking their lucky stars after Google just shared a safer and smarter means to sideload apps.

The company’s latest Pause feature on Play Protect is giving fans of sideloading apps a reason to celebrate. The new built-in security offering scans platforms for any malware and is a step above from the classic Play Protect.

For years, many have had to struggle with downloading apps on Android devices that are not seen on the Play Store as it involves interfering with third-party downloads. The goal is to keep devices safe at all times and that’s what this new feature does.

You can temporarily pause your Play Protect for a short period without compromising device security in the long term. Therefore, you can consider it to be the phone’s first line of defense against different types of malware. It also scans the platform before and after you download it, making sure it’s safe in use.

Before, sideloading apps had users disabling Play Protect for bypassing restrictions. Most forgot to switch it back on later. This meant devices were again vulnerable to malware or any kind of attack that was socially engineered. Last year in November, we saw Google hinting how it was working to get a solution to the issue.

That appears like it’s finally here as the latest Google Play Store version has rolled out Pause for Play Protect. It’s located near the Turn Off feature. So when paused, it prevents apps from getting scanned externally for malware. This way, users can sideload platforms without any concerns.

The best part of this offering is how Play Protect reactivates itself the following day, making sure that users don’t forget to switch the safety feature back on. So you’ll never have to worry about your phone being unprotected for too long.

The Android maker says it’s being super proactive here about any potential scams. It wants to display additional alerts for caution that serve as reminders for users. This includes alerts to pause or switch off Play Protect, which could be part of a scam, so users need to keep that in mind.

It’s advised to be vigilant at all times, especially when you deal with apps belonging to third parties that carry the most risk. If you sideload apps more frequently, the latest feature might make people’s lives simpler and keep their phones secure simultaneously. Lastly, even if you do have Play Protect enabled, don’t take it for granted. It’s still always recommended to install apps from reliable and authentic sources. 

 Image: Android Authority