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zmmmmm parent
The worst part is the Orwellian opening sentence they start with in their blog post [0]:

> You shouldn’t have to choose between open and secure

2+2=5

Truly the end of an era. I've spent nearly two decades buying Android phones because of a single checkbox in settings that let me have the freedom I consider essential to any computing device that I own.

In a way, it's liberating, I've missed out on a lot from the Apple ecosystem because of that checkbox. Maybe finally I can let go of it now the choice is out of my hands.

[0] https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/08/elevating-...

rpdillon
Very much my exact feelings. I had the first Android phone ever and even wrote my own APKs and enjoyed the freedom of the mobile platform that let me install my own software. But it's been close to 20 years and maybe it's time to check out the other side, as much as I despise Apple's locked down ecosystem.
rchaud
I'd sooner get a Chinese phone that isn't "Google-certified" than reward this behaviour by giving $1000+ to the DRM OGs at Cupertino. Neither Apple nor Google are protecting users against the alleged data-stealing evils of Tiktok, so how exactly are they providing any kind of "user safety" by throwing up fees and red tape for small independent developers?
rpdillon
I'm also completely open to this. Google just made being not Google-certified a feature.
jbstack
Is there a list or other easy way to find out which phones are not Google-certified going forward? Is it purely a country specific thing or are there (and will there continue to be) mainstream manufacturers with non-certified phones?

I'm also fine with sticking to older models. Never seen the point of having the latest and greatest (aka: pointless) feature anyway. Does certification only apply to new hardware or do manufacturers back-port it?

csande17
I'm pretty sure "Google-certified" is just the latest term for "has signed a contract to ship the proprietary Google parts of Android". (Google's blog post about this change links to a page which calls it "Play Protect certified", and this page says that all devices that ship Google apps are Play Protect Certified: https://support.google.com/android/answer/7165974?hl=en )

Amazon's "Kindle" tablets and TV devices famously do not ship Google apps, and sometimes you see restricted devices like the Rabbit R1 that just use the open-source parts of Android. But outside of China I don't think you can easily walk into a store and find a non-Google Android phone.

I don't think phones ever officially lapse out of Play Protect certified status -- the Nexus One, a phone from 2010, is still listed -- but presumably it'd be possible to find a phone old enough that it won't be able to download whatever Play Services OTA update they'll use to push this change.

nicce
Maybe it is time to try Jolla as next phone:

https://jolla.com/

chrononaut
Just a note for readers that the Jolla C2 cellular modem only supports European bands, so if you're in the US you're out of luck on that front until they release a new model.
trembolram
Jolla is trying to release a new model in 2026: https://forum.sailfishos.org/t/next-gen-jolla-phone/23882

If there's enough interest in US, then they may release it there, too.

rpdillon
Oh... I somehow missed this reading for 15 minutes through the site. Thank you!
rpdillon
Yes, I was checking this out! Sailfish with Android compat seems very compelling. The videos I saw on youtube showed a bit less polish than I'd prefer, but I'd be OK with that. But then I read up on the manufacturer they partnered with. Reeder, I believe? I ended up looking up some other devices they made and there seems to be build quality problems...I haven't seen reports like this for the Jolla C2, though, so I still might be tempted to purchase one just to see how it drives. Thanks for the recommendation!
walterbell
Sailfish supports a few Sony Xperia phones, https://docs.sailfishos.org/Support/Supported_Devices/
Perz1val
Name the price and the Chinese factory will make it for that price and turn profit. Want a phone for 10 USD? No problem dear!
usr1106
I used it as my first phone some 10 years. I type this message on one. I like their perseverance, but the truth is it's declining in practical usability.

Edit: In EU, so (lack of) bands are not an issue for me.

sunshine-o
The only reason to be surprised by this sentence to associate this corporation for the cool "Don't be evil" Google of 25 years ago.

But in 2025 Google is some kind of IBM, Oracle blob with here a middle age MBA woman trying to gas-light you into an orweilian world she is paving for an awesome remuneration.

Also notice they do not say "open source" once in the post... now it is just "open". It is "open" but not your phone anymore.

ThePowerOfFuet
GrapheneOS will put it back into your hands.
afroboy
GrapheneOS are living on the mercy of Google by the way.
ACCount37
Also the device vendors. Because it requires a bootloader unlock to install. And device vendors aren't exactly friendly to consumers.

If Google tells the vendors to jump, they ask how high.

rbits
Google is the device vendor. GrapheneOS is only available for Pixels.
cromka
So far. Apparently they're in talks with other vendor(s).
const_cast
As opposed to Android, which is... not living at the mercy of Google? Wait, that's not right.

People say this same shit about Firefox. "Oh they rely on Google for revenue! Jump ship jump ship!"

Yeah, and what about Chrome? How much does Chrome rely on Google for revenue? Its got fucking Google in the name.

tcfhgj
"Which devices are supported?"

follows: list of Google devices - great, but I don't have Stockholm syndrome

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