Unable to download APK file within the app

I am a developer and i am using my nextcloud instance to transfer file between my computer and my phone but i won’t allow me to download APK files anymore, there’s this toast that says “Google restricted downloading APK/AAB files!”, folders won’t sync if they contains APKs


Then you need to ask this “google”.

It is on the Nextcloud android client I supposed (I moved the topic here)?

That’s really annoying. Also have to deal with this issue since moving to stock from lineageos.

Just a shot in the dark, but have you tried to enable the parameter to allow app installations from unknown sources?

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This option is not available for the nextcloud android app.

Workaround: zip the apk, then “download” is available in the app.
Use another app to unpack and install.

Edit:
The version from f-droid is not restricted.

Looks like it is only in GPlay version: Gplay: do not allow to download APK/AAB by tobiasKaminsky · Pull Request #13258 · nextcloud/android · GitHub


which should be fixed in the latest version, btw.

It sounds like Google has placed restrictions on downloading APK/AAB files for security reasons, affecting how Nextcloud syncs such files between your devices. This restriction could be impacting your ability to transfer apps like Remini Mod Apk. To work around this, consider using an alternative file-sharing protocol that bypasses these restrictions, or try enabling trusted developer options in your Nextcloud instance to handle APK files more freely.

I have a little repository of apk files I share with some friends and relatives so this new block from google is a real pain (not everyone in my circle is tech savvy to change the file extensions) So I have found a very easy workaround: do as if you want to share the apk file

  1. Click on the little guy next to the app’s name in your nextcloud (like if you want to share it)
  2. You get a choice of how to share it (pick one no matter what
I always chose Bluetooth)
  3. At this point nextcloud will first download the app locally in its own folder (usually Internal Memory > Android > Media >com.nextcloud.client > nextcloud > “your username” > “name of the folder where the app is”.
  4. Wait untill the app is fully downloaded (you will see a green checkmark next to the app)
  5. Voila’, browse to the folder mentioned in step 3 and your app will be there ready for installation.